Friday Newsletter
Seasonal Support
Staff Reminders
Arc Email: Please be checking your ne-arc email regularly. We recommend that you download the Outlook app on your smartphone.
Zoom Phone: Please make sure you are utilizing your Zoom phone associated with your Northeast Arc account. If you do not have a Zoom phone, please reach out to the Staffing Coordinator.
Progress Notes: All Progress Notes are due in Netsmart by Monday at 9:00 am. Remember to e-sign your progress notes. If you are unable to submit your progress notes on time, please notify the Staffing Coordinator immediately.
As the days grow shorter and darker, many of our clients may be experiencing increased challenges with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For this population, the winter months can intensify feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Our team plays a crucial role in providing compassionate support during this difficult time.
This season, let's focus on creating extra warmth and connection. Encourage your clients to maintain regular routines, engage in indoor activities that bring joy, and explore light therapy or outdoor time during daylight hours when possible. Be attentive to changes in mood, behavior, or energy levels, and be prepared to offer additional emotional support or help them connect with mental health resources.
Remember, your consistent, understanding presence can make a significant difference in helping our clients navigate the winter months with resilience and hope.
Important Links
The Importance of Knowing
Human Rights
Understanding your human rights is important. They ensure dignity, respect, and equal opportunities for all. By being aware of your rights can create an environment that encourages independence, personal growth, and full participation in community life. If you would like to learn more about your human rights, reach out to our Human Rights Officer, Andrew Hartigan.
Your Human Rights include:
Dignity: To be treated with respect, including respect for ethnic and cultural diversity.
Have Questions or Concerns?
Please contact our Human Rights Officer:
Andrew Hartigan Program Coordinator
Guided Personal Supports (GPS) (978) 924 - 5872
ahartigan@ne-arc.org
Self-determination: To make meaningful choices and informed decisions about your life, including taking reasonable risks.
Communication: To communicate with others and fully express yourself, with access to necessary assistance and devices.
Relationships: To visit others, receive visitors, and have friendships and intimate relationships.
Privacy: In personal care, communication, visits, your home, and personal information.
Personal Safety: To feel safe and be free from harm or abuse.
Personal Property: To obtain, keep, use, and dispose of personal possessions.
Education, Employment, and Compensation: To have equal access to education and employment opportunities, and fair compensation for work.
Community Membership: To receive services that promote living in the least restrictive and most typical settings, encouraging meaningful community membership.
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder
Do the winter months get you down more than you think they should? Explore the signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, when it’s time to see a doctor, and what treatment options are available. Discuss practical ways to manage symptoms in this one-hour webinar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa.
TUESDAY
JAN7,2025
1-2PMEST
Meet the Instructor: Jaymi Dormaier is a Licensed Master Social Worker with 10+ years of experience in the mental health field. In Jaymi's career as a social worker and therapist, she has worked with diverse populations focusing on anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, foster care, adoption, homelessness, and addiction. She is passionate about helping others live a life they love.
Northeast Arc’s Community Resource Center connects individuals and families with valuable resources and events in their local communities. By providing access to these resources, the Community Resource Center empowers families and individuals to actively participate in community life, creating a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Merrie Rothstein mrothstein@ne-arc.org
Christopher Marchese cmarchese@ne-arc.org
Eva Mostoufi emostoufi@ne-arc.org Holly Keane hkeane@ne-arc.org
Session 3: January 2nd - February 22nd NortheastArc’sRecreationprogramgivesourclientstheopportunitytoengagewith peers and find events they will enjoy. Although you cannot attend recreation with your clients, this is a great resource to show them and to work on signing up for eventsduringyoursessions. For more info and registration, visit https://tinyurl.com/nearc-rec
Please Note: Prior to attending any recreation activities, registration and an intake is required.
Please Note: Prior to attending any recreation activities, registration and an intake is required.
A Weekend To Remember: Respite Program
Join Northeast Arc for an opportunity to unwind, recharge, and discover your potential! We are excited to announce a first-of-its-kind respite program for young adults with disabilities looking to gain independent living skills. Each weekend retreat will provide a wide range of hands-on learning activities as well as unique outings in the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other peers in the community during this shared living experience.
INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS
The retreat offers a relaxing respite opportunity for attendees while giving caregivers time to themselves.
Complete with activities such as cooking classes, budgeting workshops, safety seminars, and everything in between!
Young adults will learn valuable social skills while making new friends in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Social Group
BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM
THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM IS AN EFFORT TO EASE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR INTERACTIONS.
ThecoreideaoftheBlueEnvelopeisstraightforward yetimpactful Itinvolvesaspeciallydesignedenvelope thatholdsadriver'sessentialdocuments license, registration,andacontactcard However,its significancegoesbeyondjustastoragesolution The envelopefeaturescriticalcommunicationguidelineson itsexterior,specificallytailoredtoassistlawenforcement officersinrecognizingandadaptingtheirapproach wheninteractingwithadriverwhohasautism
THIS INITIATIVE ADDRESSES SEVERAL KEY OBJECTIVES:
Enhancing Understanding Reducing Anxiety
Streamlining Communication Encouraging Preparedness
The Blue Envelope is more than just an envelope; it's a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity and understanding. It represents a step forward in ensuring that every driver, regardless of their neurological differences, can experience a sense of safety and respect on the road.
Through this program, we aim to build bridges between law enforcement and the autism community, fostering a culture of awareness and compassion that benefits everyone involved.
For more information, visit: www.mass.gov/info-details/blue-envelope-program
Healthy Eating Tips & Recipes
For more information about this recipe, visit https://www myplate gov/recipes/minestrone-soup
For more information about this recipe, visit https://www myplate gov/recipes/stuffed-pasta-shells
Holiday Light Shows
Buy Ticket
Located in Methuen, MA, at Mann Orchards Riverside Farm location guests can see over 1 mile of roadway that has been transformed into a glittering display of over 1 million LED lights featuring the longest tunnel of lights in New England.
To book:
Select a weekday, weekend, or holiday. (Friday is a weekend day, and December 24 and 25 are holidays.)
Select a car type. (Van is only for limos/school busses or anything larger than an 8 passenger.)
Select a date and time.
Tickets are PER VEHICLE, not per person.
Harry Potter™: The Exhibition
Celebrate the film-making magic at Harry Potter™: The Exhibition in Boston! 09/13/2024 – 01/05/2025
Tickets from $ 31.00
SensoryFriendlySundays
StartingNovember10thinBoston,SensorySundayswillofferamodifiedenvironmentwithreducedguestcapacity, dimmedlights,minimizedsoundsandsmells,anddedicatedquietspacesthroughoutthegalleries.
Guestswillbewelcometoexploretheexhibitionattheirownpacebetween9:00amand11:00am,withthestandard operatingexperienceresumingat12:00pm.Additionally,sensorybagsfilledwithnoise-cancelingheadphones,fidget tools,strobereductionglasses,andcommunicationcardswillbeavailableuponrequest
IncollaborationwithKultureCity,wehaveensuredthatourexhibitionisaSensoryCertifiedExperience,welcoming visitorswithsensoryneedseveryday.Wearededicatedtofosteringanenvironmentwhereeveryonecanexperience thebehind-the-scenesmagicoftheexpandedHarryPotterworldinclusively
EventInfo
⚡ VisitthegroundbreakingHarryPotter™:TheExhibitiontoseehowsomeofyourfavoritemoments,characters, locations,andbeastsfromHarryPotter™arebroughttolife
✨ Getupclosetoauthenticpropsandcostumes,practiceyourQuidditch™skills,potaMandrake,andmoreinthis unforgettableexperience
��Usingbest-in-classinteractivedesignandtechnology,thisexhibitdelightsvisitorsthroughpowerfulstorytelling andinnovativetechnologyfeaturingoriginalpropsandcostumes.
ChooseyourfavoriteHogwarts™house,wand,andPatronustobeginapersonalizedjourneythroughthisallinclusiveexhibit:plopdowninHagrid’sgiantchair,squeezeintotheCupboardUndertheStairs,andpracticeyour Quidditch™skillsbythrowingaQuaffleallwhileyoulearnbehind-the-scenesfilmmakingdetails
Open7daysaweek,hoursmayvarybyday TheVIPandFlexTicketoptionsguaranteeyouentryonanydateand timewithinouroperatinghours
Operatinghours:
Friday-Saturday:9:00am-7:00pm
Sunday-Thursday:9:00am-5:00pm
Holidays:9:00am-7:00pm(ClosedonThanksgiving11/28)
LGBTQ+ Community Gatherings
A space to build a support system, and a sense of chosen family, with your community.
Our community gatherings are peer-led support groups that are non-clinical and led by a collective of individuals with lived experience in the group's topic or community. Each community gathering is unique to the population it serves and is created in a peer-led collaborative group process There is no pressure to share to attend We welcome anyone, anywhere that is 18+.
Community Gatherings
Thefollowingarefree,non-clinical,peer-ledsupportgroupshostedbyPeerSupport SpacetakingplaceinEasternTime(EST).Newfriendsarealwayswelcome. Registrationisrequiredforin-personeventssothatwecankeepourgatheringsunder 10peopleasaCOVIDprecaution. Forourvirtualgroups,pleaseusethezoomlinksonthewebsite(oncomputerorzoom phoneapp)toenter
12PMand6PMEachDay,Monday-Saturday **YoumustemailMary@peersupportspace.orgto receivethepasscodesforthedailycommunal gatherings-thisisasecurityprecautiontoensure thatwearekeepingthespaceassafeaspossible**
For more information, visit https://peersupportspace. org/communitygatherings-1 Daily Communal Gatherings
Peer support
You are not alone! Come join us for a peer led support group.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 pm to 3 pm
Scan the QR code or Click here to join
GRATEFUL ASPECTS
young adults peer support group
Mondays 3pm-4pm on Zoom
Scan the QR code
Registration is require. Scan theQRcode toget startedtoday!
Connecting YOU(th) is a monthly get-together for teens and young adults with disabilities. Every second Tuesday of the month, we have a topic for discussion, and we’re always changing and growing in response to what participants want to happen next.
Thegold-standard evaluationformedically complexand/orolder adultdrivers Evaluationsforthose lookingtodrivewith adaptiveequipmentsuch ashandcontrols,spinner knobs,andleftfoot accelerators.
North Shore | Community Events
DECK THE DOCKS AT MARITIME GLOUCESTER - GLOUCESTER, MA
Saturday, December 14 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
CometoMaritimeGloucesterforfunholiday happeningsonthewaterfrontinGloucester, MA!Finduniquemaritimethemedgiftsand eventsincludingkidsholidaycraftswithCape AnnArtHaven,freehotcocoa,Santa'sarrival byschooner,andmore!MaritimeGloucester islocatedjuststepsawayfromtheLobster TrapTreeLightingatSolomonJacobsParkon GloucesterHarbor!
GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST: A HAUNTED HOLIDAY STROLLSALEM, MA
See Link for Dates and Times
UncoverSalem’sfascinatingandghostly holidayhistory,fromstrictPuritanbans onChristmasmakingitillegalevento celebrate,toVictorianHolidayghost storiesoriginallytoldaroundthe fireside.Seelinkfordatesandtimes.
TRIBUTE TO ELVIS: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - BEVERLY, MA
Saturday, December 14
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Joinusforanexhilaratingcelebration honoringthetimelesslegacyofElvis Presley,featuringtheincredibleRobert Black—anAward-WinningTributeArtist renownedforhiscaptivatingperformances acrossthenation.
Metro North | Community Events
ZOOLIGHTS AT STONE ZOOSTONEHAM, MA
Open until January 5 4:00 pm-9:30 pm
Enterawinterwonderlandoftree-linedpaths litbythousandsoftwinklinglightsspanning StoneZoo's26acres.Takeasparklingstroll throughfestivelydecoratedYukonCreek, hometoblackbears,Canadalynx,reindeer andmore
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!! HOLIDAY CABARETSAUGUS, MA
December 14-15
Starts at 8:00 PM
TheTheaterCompanyofSaugusisthrilledto presentourannualholidaycabaret: “ChristmasLights,Camera,Action!” Haveatleast30secondsofyourbestholiday act(s)tosendus.Thethemeisanything cinema,whetherthat’syourfavoriteholiday movie,TVshow,orcommercial!
HOLIDAY MARKETWAKEFIELD, MA
Saturday, December 14 10:0 AM-1:00 PM
ComecelebratetheseasonatourHoliday OutdoorMarketonSaturday,December14, 2024,from10AMto1PMatHallPark!Find uniquegifts,freshlocalproduce,baked goods,andholidaytreats allfromyour favoritevendors
Merrimack Valley | Community Events
HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATINGNORTH ANDOVER, MA
Friday, December 20 10-11 AM
Thesemagicalexperiencesareperfectforall ages,featuringcreativefunasyoutransform fourdelicioussugarcookiesintoedibleworks ofartwithallsuppliesprovided.Cozyupwith asmallhotchocolateasoneofSanta’s FavoriteElvessharesaheartwarmingholiday story,andmakecherishedmemoriesinour festivesetting.
PIZZA & GAME NIGHTMETHUEN, MA
Thursday, December 19
Starts at 4:00 PM
PizzaandgamenightattheNevinsLibraryin Methuen Bringadrink,bringsnacks (optional).Capacityislimited.Toregister, emailMaryEllenD’Angeloat medangelo@ne-arc.org.IntakewithAASC NortheastArcisrequiredtoattendevents.
WINTERLIGHTS AT STEVENS COOLIDGE HOUSE & GARDENSNORTH ANDOVER, MA
Open WednesdaysSundays, see link for details
Winterlightsisback!Joinusforamagical outdoorexperienceatStevens-Coolidge House&Gardens,andseethegardensaglow withyourfavoriteenchantinglightdisplays,as wellas,somefunandexcitingadditionstothis yearsdisplay Afuneventforthewholefamily toringinthewinterseason!Advanced purchaseoftimedticketsisrequired
Lowell Area | Community Events
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF TREES, WREATH & GINGERBREADWESTFORD, MA
December 6-January 1
See Link for Details
You are invited to participate in the 14th Annual Westford Holiday Festival - Trees, Wreaths, and More Celebration, hosted by the Westford Family FunFest, The Roudenbush Community Center, Westford Rotary Club, and the Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center Click the link for more details!
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" AT MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATRE - LOWELL, MA
Friday, December 20
Starts at 8:00 PM
Aholidaytreatfortheentirefamily! ExperienceDickens'timelessstoryof redemption,featuringEbenezerScrooge, TinyTim,ghosts,andallyourfavorite charactersincludingsomeplayedbylocal youth.
CHELMSFORD
See Link for Dates and Times
PublicSkatingislimitedto30skaters No RentalSkatesareavailableatthistimeat Haverhill&Lawrence.PublicSkating Schedulesvaryateachrinkduetocamps andshowcases.
Central Middlesex | Community Events
HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE 2024LEXINGTON, MA
See Link for Dates and Times
We've been making and crafting all year to prepare for our annual Holiday Marketplace! This arts and craft sale is the culmination of a year of work by the talented artisan members of LexArt. Shop local for unique, one-of-a-kind handmade holiday gifts
TEEN & YOUNG ADULT BOARD GAME CAFE @ LITTLETON LIBRARY - LITTLETON, MA
Friday, December 21 12:30-3:30 PM
Needapre-holidaybreak?Joinusfor warmdrinksandcoolboardgames!From 12:30to3:30,we'llkickbackwithsomeof ourfavoritetabletopgamesandenjoylight refreshments.Registrationnotrequired.
HOLIDAY SMALLS 2024 AT CONCORD ART - CONCORD, MA
Starts December 5 5:30-8:00 PM
HolidaySmallsopensDecember5thand continuesthroughDecember19th!Weinvite youandyourfamilyandfriendstojoinusat theopeningreceptionThursday,December 5th,at5:30pm.Enjoysomeshopping,treats, andholidaycheer!
HOWTO PUNCHIN& PUNCHOUT
ACCESS YOUR ZOOM PHONE
Once the Zoom app is opened, click the Phone button, then click the keypad button.
CALLING KRONOS
In order to punch in, you need to call the time and attendance line. The number is 978-226-4865.
You will be asked to enter your employee ID, then press #.
This will punch you in.
To punch out, repeat this process.
REMEMBER YOUR PUNCH IN/OUT TIME
It is important to remember what time you punched in and out.
The start and end time on your progress note should match your punch in and out time.
When you arrive for your scheduled shift, you need to punch in. To punch in, open the Zoom app on your mobile device.
GPSSupervisors
YourPoint ofContact
As a valued member of our team, we want to make sure you have the best support in your role.
It’s important to know who your supervisor is. Your supervisor will be your main point of contact.
Kailey Taggart is the Project Manager for the GPS program. She oversees our Social Group and A Weekend to Remember Respite program. If you work in either of these programs, Kailey will be your supervisor.
Matthew Ataya is the Staffing Coordinator for the GPS program. He is the supervisor for our Community Support Coaches, Autism Coaches, and College Navigators.
Andrew Hartigan is the Program Coordinator for the GPS program. He communicates with the clients and families that we support. If you are unable to reach Matthew, Andrew will be your second point of contact.
Kristy Aparo is the Program Director for the GPS program. She oversees the general operations of all of our programs. You can reach out to Kristy if you have any questions about filing a DPPC or Mandated Reporting.
ne-arc.org
