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.
Hey team,
Charting the LifeCourse Training Scheduled
Mark your calendars! We’re excited to announce that Jodi Jarvis, Life Coach and Personal Resource Consultant, will be leading our virtual Charting the LifeCourse training on Friday, March 28, from 3:00-5:00 PM. Please use the link below to register.
https://forms.office.com/r/iGihyCtY4F
Jodi welcomes any questions about the training or challenges you may be facing with your clients. Please bring these questions with you to the training
We hope you decide to join us on March 28! Have a great weekend!
mataya@ne-arc.org
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.
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.
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
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.
Asking for Support: Disclosing Mental Illness at Work and in Relationships
Date & Time
Description
Feb 26, 2025 11:00 AM-12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Choosing to disclose information about mental health is a personal decision that often has to be made more than once Discuss what factors to consider when making the decision and how to make the disclosure when the time feels right in this one-hour seminar sponsored by Polk County, Iowa.
Understanding Social Anxiety
Date & Time
Description
Mar 5, 2025 11:00 AM-12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
It's normal to feel nervous in some social situations, but social anxiety disorder involves more than temporary discomfort when giving a presentation or making small talk Everyday interactions cause intense feelings of anxiety and fear that disrupt relationships, daily routines, and performance at work and school. Explore the symptoms of social anxiety disorder, learn what the causes are, how it is treated, and strategies to manage symptoms in this one-hour webinar sponsored by Polk County, Iowa.
Understanding Motivation and Procrastination
Date & Time
Description
Mar 5, 2025 01:00-02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Almost everyone procrastinates sometimes. But if you continue to put things off, then regret it and feel bad about yourself afterward, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle that can have a negative impact on your physical & mental health Explore the reasons why people procrastinate and learn techniques to get and stay motivated in this one-hour webinar sponsored by Polk County, Iowa.
Relationships, Family, and Mental Health
Date & Time
Description
Mar 12, 2025 01:00-02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The complicated nature of mental illnesses can make relationships challenging, and caregiver stress the emotional and physical stress of caregiving is common. Learn strategies to set boundaries, respond to difficult behavior, and manage your own stress in this one-hour webinar sponsored by Polk County, Iowa.
Discrimination, Fear, and Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Communities
Date & Time
Description
Mar 13, 2025 11:00 AM-12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
LGBTQIA+ adults are three times more likely to experience a mental health disorder than people who identify as straight. Discuss what factors impact this statistic, how to find supportive professionals, ways of coping, and how to be a true ally in this one-hour seminar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa.
Understanding Psychotherapy
Date & Time
Description
Mar 25, 2025 01:00-02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
How does talk therapy work? Who benefits? How do you find a good therapist? Discuss the reasons why people go to therapy, what the process truly looks like, and how to find a qualified professional in this one-hour seminar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa
If you are having a mental health crisis or need emergency assistance, dial 911 or contact local emergency services
7 Cups https://www7cupscom/ This free online text counseling service connects customers to volunteer listeners who offer non-therapeutic advice Anyone can sign up, including teenagers who are looking for other (trained) teenagers Access to licensed therapists is available for $150 per month. 7 Cups does not accept insurance.
Blah Therapy https://blahtherapy.com/ Free 24/7 anonymous peer chat. Subscriptions for unlimited professional therapy cost $60-$90/week. Blah Therapy does not accept insurance.
Bliss by the Centre of Interactive Mental Health Solutions https://cimhs.com/ Free selfguided online cognitive behavior therapy program for depression Bliss does not offer therapy appointments
Doctor on Demand https://doctorondemandcom/ 24/7 access to doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other medical experts anytime, including weekends, holidays, and late at night. You can also talk to professionals not related to mental health, including urgent care doctors. Doctors on Demand accepts insurance. If you don’t have insurance, a 25-minute session is $129 and a 50-minute session is $179. Initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-up appointments are $129.
eTherapyPro https://etherapyprocom/ Access therapy services via video call, phone call, or text chat Free 3-day trial session, though a credit card is required After the trial period, the cost is $40/week ($16000/month) eTherapyPro does not accept insurance
Important Considerations for Online Therapy
Confidentiality, Privacy, and Unreliable Technology Confidentiality is just as important for online therapy as it is for in-person therapy Because information is relayed online, privacy leaks & hacking are a concern Technology problems can also make it difficult to access treatment when you need it
Not Appropriate for Severe & Persistent Mental Illness The scope of online therapy can be limited and may not be effective for more complex situations. For people with an addiction or complex symptoms of a mental health condition, online therapy is not to be recommended unless other in-person therapy is also involved in the treatment plan.
Lack of Response to Crisis Situations If a person is experiencing suicidal thoughts it can be difficult or impossible for the therapist to provide direct assistance. If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 (US & Canada) or 1-800-273- 8255 for support and help from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Ethical and Legal Concerns Online therapy eliminates geographic restraints, making the enforcement of legal and ethical codes difficult. Therapists can treat clients from anywhere in the world, and many states have different licensing requirements and treatment guidelines It is important to confirm your therapist's qualifications and experience before starting the treatment process
Cold Weather Safety Tips
When you are outside, frostbite and hypothermia are possible so you need to protect yourself.
1. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
2. Wear a hat. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
3. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
4. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
Ice Safety
Please visit this informative link https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/thickness.html
To keep pipes from freezing on an outside wall:
1. Let hot and cold water trickle or drip at night from a faucet.
2. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or near an outer wall.
3. Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees.
4. If you plan to be away: (1) Have someone check your house daily to make sure the heat is still on to prevent freezing, or (2) drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).
If Pipes Freeze:
1. Make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst.
2. NEVER try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. Use a hair dryer instead.
3. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly killer
1. Install a carbon monoxide detector.
2. NEVER run generators indoors.
3. Open a window slightly when using a kerosene heater and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.
5. If your heat goes out, you can keep warm indoors by closing off rooms you do not need, dressing in layers of lightweight clothing, and wearing a cap.
Wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and heaters:
1. Always keep a screen around an open flame.
2. NEVER use gasoline to start your fireplace.
3. NEVER burn charcoal indoors.
50/50 FOR EMPLOYMENT FIRST CONFERENCE
Join 50 Career Seekers and 50 Workforce Development professionals to create an inclusive workforce.
When & Where Featured Speakers
Thursday, April 3
9am to 3pm
Hogan Campus Center
College of the Holy Cross
1 College Street, Worcester, MA
Adriana Mallozzi
Exec. Director of Mass. REquipment, Entrepreneur, & Professional with a Disability
Doug Crandell
Public Service Faculty at Univ. of Georgia, Author of “Twenty-Two Cents an Hour,” & Sibling Advocate
OurCoreBelief: All people have the
About having different conversations
A different way of thinking
Encouraging high expectations
Having life experiences to move the trajectory in the desired direction
Integrating multiple types of support
Only for professionals to use
Just about the “tools”
A “program”
Designed for just one specific age group
Solely for people with disabilities and their families
Watch Dr Sheli Reynolds share how her experience growing up with a brother with a disability impacted and informed the development of the LifeCourse framework and tools In this 18-minute video you will also learn about each of the principles and why they are important to supporting your “good life ”
Our Vision
To provide a barrier free pathway for individuals of all abilities to discover and achieve their most meaningful purpose in life.
Our Mission
To blend cutting-edge technology with personalized mentorship to empower people of all abilities to discover and achieve their most fulfilling path in life.
THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM IS AN EFFORT TO EASE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR INTERACTIONS.
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
Accessible Chef is a collection of free visual recipes and other resources to help teach cooking skills to individuals with disabilities at home or in a special education.
Check out our website for visual recipes, resources, and our recipe creator!
What kind of resources are available to teach cooking skills?
Visual Recipes
Visual recipes make use of task analysis, which is an evidence-based approach for breaking down a complex task into manageable steps. Each task is separated into discrete skills, and individuals can learn to complete skills in a specific order to learn new tasks. Students may require visual, physical, or verbal prompts to complete each skill, and prompts may be gradually removed as the individual becomes more independent. Visual recipes share similarities with PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and curricula created with Boardmaker.
Assistive Technologies
Assistive technologies are available in a variety of low and high tech options. Cooking apps can be found in the Apple app store, and include images of cooking supplies, actions, and appliances that can be combined into recipes and viewed on a phone or tablet. Parents and teachers can also produce video or audio-based prompts, which can be played on phones, tablets, computers, or portable DVD players.
Kitchen Equipment
Kitchen equipment can be adapted to make cooking easier and safer for individuals with physical disabilities. Ideas for adapting kitchen equipment can be found in the resources section. Many challenges in the kitchen can be solved with a combination of creativity, adaptation, and practice.
Check out these recipes by clicking the images below.
Fish and Chips
Frozen Yogurt Dots
MORE RECIPES RECIPE CREATOR RESOURCES
Jello-O Shark Cups
Gnocci with Sausage and Broccoli
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
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+.
Embrace a new challenge and join our adaptive adult program catered for individuals aged 14 and older. Engage in activities designed for adults with diverse abilities, enhance your skills and socialize in a welcoming atmosphere, and learn from proessional instructors commited to your growth and enjoyment Register today, secure your spot, space is limited!
THURSDAY NIGHT BINGOCHELMSFORD, MA
Every Thursday
Doors open at 3:30 pm
EveryThursday,weatherpermitting Doorsopenat3:30pm,ticketsalesbegin at5:00pm,gamesbeginat6:45pm Minimumadmissionis$5,andincludes10 games Fourspecialgamesareplayed,andcarryanadditionalcostof$1percard All prizesareCASHprizes!Joinusforfood, fellowshipandfun!
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.
