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.
Autism Acceptance Month
Hey team,
April is Autism Acceptance Month! This week’s newsletter provides some information on Autism Spectrum Disorder, language & identity, awareness & acceptance, and more! Feel free to talk to your clients about the significance of this month and see if they are interested in getting engaged in any events.
For IHS staff, mileage is due before April 10 . Please send your travel expense forms to our Staffing Coordinator, Vikki Kusumoto, at vkusumoto@ne-arc org th
Our Charting the LifeCourse training was rescheduled and will be held next Friday, April 11 This training is not mandatory and will be recorded and sent to all staff. If you are interested in attending, please email me at mataya@ne-arc.org.
That is all, have a great weekend!
mataya@ne-arc.org
Important Links
WELCOMETO THETEAM!
Community Support Coach Community Support Coach
Lisa Cummings Jaliya Lopez
Please join me in welcoming our new staff to the GPS Team! Lisa Cummings and Jaliya Lopez will be Community Support Coaches for our In-Home Supports program. We’re excited to have them on board and look forward to the valuable contributions they will bring to our team!
GPSTeam
AboutUs
The Guided Personal Supports (GPS) program focuses on preparing individuals to acquire skills in different aspects of their lives. By promoting independence, community integration, skill building, and navigating the challenges of life, we believe that the individuals we support will find success in their day to day lives.
OurServices
The GPS program offers a a wide range of services which include:
In Home Supports
Autism Coaching/Pre-Engagement
College Navigation Agency with Choice
Assistive Technology
Social Group
A Weekend to Remember: Respite Program
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT https://tinyurl.com/GPSprogram
FamilyContact
978-924-5872
ahartigan@ne-arc.org
KristyAparo
Director of GPS and CRC
Oversees all aspects of the Guided Personal Supports (GPS) and Community Resource Center.
MatthewAtaya
Program Director
Manages general operations of the GPS program. Supervises our autism coaches and college navigators
Staffing Coordinator
Supervises and manages per-diem staff, ensuring quality support
Program Coordinator
Serves as the primary liaison between the program, families, and individuals we support.
Family Services
Project Coordinator
Oversees and directs the weekly social group and collaborates with programs under Family Services.
VikkiKusumoto
AndrewHartigan
KaileyTaggart
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
Apr 30
Northeast Region AT Fair 2025
This 4th annual free event is your chance to learn about a range of assistive technology products from 30 vendors. Assistive technology enables people to live productive, meaningful, and dignified lives. AT can enhance an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks, facilitate independent living, and contribute to a higher quality of life. Examples of AT on display will include: medication management devices, communication devices or software, mobility aids, smart home technology, remote supports, adaptive gaming and recreation, and more!
Liberty Tree Mall
100 Independence Way, Danvers, MA 01923
View on map
Apr 30, 2025 11:00am - Apr 30, 2025 04:00pm Add to Google · Outlook Web · Outlook Mobile · Yahoo
Democracy is a Disability Issue
The Museum and Perkins School for the Blind team up for this program highlighting how end-to-end accessibility is crucial for civic engagement.
In a true democracy, everyone can participate equally. Explore how end-to-end accessibility — of media, voting processes and more — is essential for full civic participation of people with disabilities.
How might — and should — systems enable::
People with blindness / low vision to engage with political information from maps/data visualizations?
People with auditory and / or language processing issues to participate in community forums, town halls, and meetings with policymakers, amid the lack of standardized, real-time, high-quality captioning?
People with neurocognitive disabilities to discern mis/disinformation, in order to make informed civic decisions?
Join the Museum of Science and Perkins for this vital evening of conversation examining how democracy truly is a disability issue.
This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.
Register for the Event
Date and Time
Thursday, April 17 | 7:00 pm
Audience
Adults 18+
Location
Blue Wing View Map
Price
Free with Pre-Registration
Language
English
In partnership with
ASD Adaptive Training Program
Our fitness professionals follow a comprehensive gym program designed to create a safe and beneficial training environment for individuals with ASD.
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Gym Setting
Understanding the challenges ad considerations specific to individuals with ASD in a gym environment
Adaptive Exercise Techniques
Learning how to modify exercises and workouts to accommodate the sensory and motor needs of individuals with ASD
Visual Supports and Communication Strategies
Implementing visual schedules, social stories, and other communication tools to enhance understanding and participation
Sensory-Friendly Environment
Creating a sensory-friendly gym space by managing noise levels, lighting, and providing sensory tools
Behavior Management in the Gym
Utilizing positive reinforcement strategies and behavior management techniques to promote positive behaviors
Individualized Fitness Plans
Developing personalized fitness plans based on the individual’s strengths, interests, and goals.
Supportive Coaching and Inclusive Practices
Training coaches and staff on inclusive practices and effective communication to provide a supportive and welcoming environment
Collaboration with Families and Caregivers
Engaging families and caregivers in the gym program to ensure continuity of support and progress monitoring.
Understanding Traumatic Grief in Children
Date & Time
Description
Apr 7, 2025 01:00-02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The symptoms of childhood traumatic grief are severe, prolonged, and interfere with daily functioning. Learn to recognize the signs of traumatic grief in children with a licensed therapist and discuss how to provide support to children who are experiencing traumatic grief in this one-hour seminar sponsored by Polk County, Iowa's Behavioral Health & Disability Services agency
Understanding Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder
Date & Time
Description
Apr 9, 2025 11:00 AM-12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
OCD manifests differently in different people – and involves much more than anxiety about germs or compulsions to clean. This one-hour webinar provides an accessible guide to understanding this oftenmisunderstood diagnosis, including symptoms of OCD, co-occurring disorders, and treatment options. Learn practical tips for managing symptoms and helping others in this one-hour seminar sponsored by Polk County, Iowa.
Understanding Psychotherapy
Date & Time
Description
Apr 17, 2025 11:00 AM-12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Hoarding is a compulsive behavior that involves much more than keeping extra papers around. Explore the reasons people hoard, common symptoms of hoarding, and the impact hoarding has on both the individual and the family in this one-hour seminar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa.
Understanding Dissociative Disorders
Date & Time
Description
Apr 22, 2025 01:00 PM-02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Dissociation changes your sense of time and identity, and makes people feel disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, and memories. It's a normal phenomenon that most people experience at some point, though some will develop a dissociative disorder that requires treatment Explore the types of dissociative disorders, their symptoms, prevalence & causation, and how they're treated in this one-hour seminar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa.
Communication Do’s & Don’ts
Date & Time
Description
Apr 29, 2025 01:00 PM-02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Understanding how mental health impacts thinking and behavior helps to reduce frustration & stress, and improves outcomes for everyone. Learn simple tools to manage conflict and express feelings in this onehour seminar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa
Navigating Work-Life Balance
Date & Time
Description
May 1, 2025 011:00 AM-12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Achieving a balance between personal and professional responsibilities helps people to avoid job burnout and promotes employee engagement, retention, and productivity. Learn practical strategies to create balance in your busy life, with actionable tips & inspiration to prioritize what matters most.
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 ”
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.
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.
RECIPES RECIPE CREATOR RESOURCES
Banana Bread in a Mug
Fried Rice Ice Cream Sundae
Peep Easter Pudding Cups
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+.
Make a positive impact this Earth Day with Salisbury Beach Betterment Association and AAA Northeast for the first beach clean up of the season on Salisbury Beach. Check-in table next to GroundsSwell Surf Cafe, located at 25 Broadway at the beach center
Getreadytotapyourtoesandtestyour musicalknowledgeinMusicalBingo This captivatinggameshowcombinesthethrillof bingowiththecharmofmelodies.
THE TOWN AND THE CITY FESTIVAL
- LOWELL, MA
April 24-26
See link for details
This multi-day music and arts festival takes place in various event spaces, bars, cafes, and galleries throughout downtown Lowell, Massachusetts. The festival celebrates the spirit of Jack Kerouac in direct and indirect ways.
PATRIOTS’ DAY PARADELEXINGTON, MA 2025 SEASON OPENING WEEKEND - CARLISLE, MA
Saturday, April 26
8 AM - 6 PM
JoinClarkFarmMarketfortheirseason openingweekend!
Saturday, April 19
2 PM - 5 PM
A staple of Lexington’s annual celebrations, the Lexington’s Patriots’ Day Parade reflects the energy and excitement of the community in a fun-for-the-family atmosphere 2025 will be a celebration like no other, and this parade promises to be bigger than ever as well!
