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
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.
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.
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. Hear about practical ways to manage symptoms in this one-hour prerecorded webinar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa.
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.
Resources on Seasonal Depression
Support Groups
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Association for Mental Health & Wellness
Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance
Family Caregiver Alliance
HeyPeers
MeetUp
Mindspring
Psychology Today
Rethink Mental Illness
Seasonal Affective Disorder, Winter Depression, Winter Blues
Resources
Choosing a Light Therapy Lamp
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Medicine Assistance
Tool
NeedyMeds
Families for Depression Awareness
Erika’s Lighthouse
Winter Depression Research Clinic
Self-Care Resources
Body Scan Meditation
Michael Sealey Guided Meditation
Self-Compassion Guided Practices and Exercises
Developing Your Self-Care Plan
Assessments
Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory
Hamburg Burnout Inventory
The Workplace Stress Scale
Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Assessment
Self-Care Assessment
Recommended Reading on Seasonal Depression
Recommended Reading
Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches
Overcoming Depression: How Psychologists Help with Depressive Disorders
Efficacy of Peer Support Interventions for Depression: A Meta-Analysis
Depression: Supporting a Family Member or Friend
Circadian Rhythms
Dawn Simulation vs. Bright Light in Seasonal Affective Disorder: Treatment Effects and
Subjective Preference
Light Therapy for Preventing Seasonal Affective Disorder
Why Tanning Beds Aren’t an Effective Treatment for SAD
Essential Oils
Ketamine and Treatment-Resistant Depression
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Using Exercise to Manage Symptoms
Serotonin Deficiency: What We Do and Don’t Know
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
Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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 often-misunderstood diagnosis, including symptoms of OCD, co-occurring disorders, and treatment options. Learn practical tips for managing symptoms in this one-hour seminar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa.
Thursday,
January16
1-2pm
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.
Communication
Do’s & Don’ts
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 one-hour seminar sponsored by Polk County, Iowa.
Certificates of attendance are provided at no cost. CEUs are not provided. Everyone who registers will receive the webinar recording 24 hours after the live event.
Wednesday, January29 11am-12pm
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.
Social Group
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.
Transition talk: Parental Mindset: Stepping Back and Letting Go
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Location: Virtually on Zoom
Join our 2024 - 25 series of family workshops designed for parents and professionals to learn the many aspects of transition planning for young adults with disabilities.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Join a conversation with two parents who’ve successfully shifted from being hands-on to stepping back, allowing their adult children to take the lead. This approach helped their children build confidence, improve decisionmaking skills, and access support systems outside the family. Learn how letting go can empower your child to grow and become more independent.
Meet Our Panelists:
Amy Brenneman, Actor, Director, Writer, Mother and Disability Advocate
Daniella Mini, “Public Ponder” Blogger, Mother and Disability Advocate
Ann Phelan, Transition Center Manager of Resources and Engagement
LIVINGWITH PURPOSE
Transforming Residential Care for Adults with Disabilities
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Doors Open at 6:30 pm Show Starts at 7:00 pm
FREEEVENT
“Raising Bar” is a film that sheds light on the lives of young adults with intellectual disabilities and the price they pay for simply turning 22. Bar is 37, and it is the trajectory of his life that shows the obstacles and the possibilities this community faces as their families and other caregivers seek to provide them with rich, meaningful, and connected lives.
Following the 40-minute movie you are invited to stay for conversation with High Spirit Staff, Founders, and each other to talk about how to develop more residential communities like High Spirit Community Farm.
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.
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 ”
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
Healthy Eating Tips & Recipes
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+.
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.
Food scarcity in the Veteran Community is a growing concern. The Veterans Northeast Outreach Center hosts a food pantry for any veteran and their family on Thursdays from 10am–2pm. The Food Pantry is open to all veterans, regardless of income Simply register beforehand and then come in as needed
Congratulations on landing the interview. But the work isn’t over yet now it’s time to prepare to stand out. Join us for “Got an Interview, Now What? Preparing to Impress,” a comprehensive webinar designed to guide you through the essential steps to ace your upcoming interview
This is a free community event on Saturday January 25th starting at 1:00pm at Emerson Field / Hunt Recreation Center The event will feature a bonfire, horse drawn sleigh rides, food, music, and much more.
RETAIL & SORTING SHIFT AT COMMUNITY CLOSETCONFORD, MA
Volunteer Opportunity
Thegiftoftimereallyisthegreatestgiftand we 'regladyou'rejoiningtheeffort!Ifyou're newtovolunteeringwithus,pleasechoosea Sorting&Stockingshift,soyoucanlearnyour wayaroundthestoreandthestoragebefore youworkonaRetailshift
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
Program Director
Oversees all aspects of the program ’ s day-to-day operations.
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.
Project Manager
Oversees and directs the weekly social group and A Weekend to Remember: Respite Program.
