We know that Gen Zers are driven by purpose, passion and impact. They need human interaction, though they enjoy working independently. They are diverse. All that’s a great fit for a career in direct support.
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Fostering Dialogue Between People with Disabilities and Law Enforcement to Improve First-Responder Outcomes
By Jonathon Rondeau
In 2003, while working as a camp director for a local organization, I was fortunate to meet Ethan Saylor, then 16, a young man with Down syndrome and his mom, Patti, a nurse. I continued to maintain a relationship with the family ever since. I was saddened to learn the news on January 12, 2013, that Ethan, at age 26, had died tragically while being removed and restrained by Frederick County police officers at a movie theater. The turn of events ignited local and state leaders to review and develop better training and relationship-building programs for officers when dealing with people with developmental disabilities. By 2016, The Ethan Saylor Alliance was created and signed into Maryland law. Its goal is to create opportunities for self-advocates to play a role in educating the community about appropriate and effective interactions with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
I’m at an advantage in knowing how to engage and interact with people with I/DD because I’ve personally worked with and alongside people with disabilities for the last 20 years, dating back to my first job in high school. As CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc CCR), a nonprofit committed to providing people with I/DD the opportunity to gain independence, I’m proud to see our neighbors with I/DD become more active in the community through volunteering, working, and living independently like you or me. With more than 19 percent of adults in Maryland with a developmental disability, it’s crucial that what happened to Ethan Saylor never happens again.
To begin the process of supporting law enforcement to better understand how to communicate with people with I/DD, The Arc CCR has been meeting with police officers, emergency/medical first responders and sheriffs. We have shared information and strategies on how to read body language, identify cues for listening and understanding, and understand some of the reactions of people with I/DD that can be easily misunderstood.
For example, a person with I/DD may respond to questions with a “yes” as a way to be polite; however, they may not fully comprehend the direction or question. Some may feel uncomfortable making eye contact, or may have vision impairments, which in an emergency situation may be interpreted as disrespect. Two key tips for law enforcement and first responders is to look for a support person nearby for assistance, and to speak clearly, giving one direction at a time.
With the support of a grant awarded to The Arc CCR by the Ethan Saylor Alliance, as well as support from The Arc Maryland, we’ve partnered with the Caroline County Schools, Benedictine and the Chesapeake Center to host a free community event on June 25 at Chesapeake College, that is designed to foster dialogue between people with disabilities, their families and to build on the tips we’ve provided to law enforcement and first responders thus far. Engagement and dialogue between these groups and people with I/DD is instrumental in helping first responders and law enforcement to really understand the importance of how to communicate with these members of the community during an emergency situation. During the event, people with I/DD will lead an evening of games and activities as a way to start the dialogue.
The Arc CCR is proud of the interest and genuine excitement from Eastern Shore law enforcement and first responders in participating in the event. Many are looking forward to being more engaged with people with I/DD and their families. In addition to the communication strategies they will learn, the event gives first responders an opportunity to get to know members of their community with I/DD on a personal level, and those personal connections will be instrumental in the event of an emergency situation.
It’s my hope that the dialogue will continue. In fact, the Ethan Saylor Grant opens each spring to community-based organizations interested in developing and facilitating positive community interaction programs and activities with I/DD communities and law enforcement, and I encourage other organizations to apply. Together we could share our ideas and improve the safety for people with I/DD in emergency situations. For more information about the event, please visit: Community Improv Event Details
The Arc CCR Celebrates Community Members with Awards Honoring Leadership and Support for People with Disabilities
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc CCR) CEO, Jonathon Rondeau, and former The Arc CCR Board President and current Arc Maryland Board President, Laura Carr, recently presented members of the community with awards honoring leadership and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Chuy’s Tex Mex Restaurant was presented with the Leadership in Social Responsibility Award for being a community partner committed to the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work and play in their community. Josh Cook, an employee at Friendly’s, received the Outstanding Personal Achievement Award, which recognizes a person supported by The Arc CCR for their dedication to the community they live in. The President’s Award honored The Arc CCR past-President, Steve Brennan, for his deep commitment and leadership to the organization. Patrese Williams, direct service professional who has been employed by The Arc CCR for over 17 years, was acknowledged with the Leadership in Direct Service Award. Tracy Davis, who has been with The Arc CCR for four years as the Director of Fiscal Management Services, was honored with the Leadership in Administration & Management Award for her leadership in moving the organization toward its shared vision. Finally, The Lorraine Sheehan Award for Advocacy was presented to Laura Howell, Executive Director of Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS). In her 15 years of leadership at MACS, Laura has been a steadfast advocate for Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Photo Caption: L-R: Front Row- Nicole Palumbo, kitchen manager, Douglas Degler, general manager, and Tommy Gough, employee of Chuy’s Tex Mex Restaurant; Josh Cook, Friendly’s employee; Steve Brennan, The Arc CCR past-president; Patrese Williams, direct service professional of The Arc CCR; Jonathon Rondeau, CEO, The Arc CCR; Tracy Davis, director of fiscal management services of The Arc CCR; Todd Pulleyn, and Laura Howell, executive director, Maryland Association of Community Services.
Outstanding Employee of the Year, Gilbert John Zucchi Direct Support Professional Award:
Abdul Arasah has been with The Arc CCR, as a Team Leader, for about a year. Over the course of the year, he has become a model leader and an asset to the agency. The people Abdul supports have a wide variety of needs, but he maintains a calm and caring attitude whenever he is faced with challenging situations. As a newer team member, Abdul has done an excellent job of balancing the often competing priorities of safety and independence for the people he supports. Abdul has ensured that the home he manages is truly a warm and inviting place. Abdul is technical only responsible for supporting 4 people, but he goes beyond that to meet the needs of others and is willing to help out on any occasion. The people we support know that they can always come to Abdul. Abdul is very self-motivated and a pleasure to work with!
Volunteer of the Year Award:
Michele Tharp came to The Arc CCR in June of 2012, looking for a volunteer opportunity where she could donate her time and talents in support of a mission that was personal to her life.
Michele is a Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Strategist at PNC and a mom to three boys, one of whom has autism. She has held a leadership role on The Arc CCR’s Board of Directors for over 6 years. As Treasurer and now Vice President of the Board, Michele has been instrumental in organizational transformation. As The Arc CCR changed leadership and began transforming financial processes and infrastructure, Michele played a significant role in ensuring The Arc CCR balanced both the mission of the organization and its financial long term health.
Over the course of Michele’s tenure, The Arc CCR has successfully expanded housing investments through its subsidiary, Chesapeake Neighbors, has navigated the implementation of a new financial management system, and has nearly doubled in size of the fiscal management program it facilitates.
We thank Michele for her generous contributions to The Arc CCR and to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.
This network soon became The Arc Anne Arundel County, which offered workshops, residential services, and an infant and toddler program; and grew to include community supportive living and other services by the mid-1990s.
In 2007, The Arc Anne Arundel County continued to expand services to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and changed its name to The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. What followed were the milestones of a 55-year anniversary in 2016 and the groundbreaking of our new headquarters and community outreach center in 2017.
The Arc CCR touches the lives of over 1,500 people each year, and as we continue to grow in capacity and expansion of services, our vision is to create equity and access for people with intellectual and development disabilities (ID/D) to be fully included in the community where they live.
We believe that all people with ID/D are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value, and not by their ability. Each person should have the opportunity to partake in community involvement through employment, housing, or recreational opportunities.
They should benefit from self-direction and the ability to make decisions about their own lives and be heard on issues that affect their wellbeing. They should also benefit from contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics — from religion, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender and type of disability.
This year, The Arc CCR completed its “Promise It Forward Capital Campaign,” which generated over $3 million in state, local and philanthropic donations to build new headquarters located in Severn.
Now fully operating, the two new buildings serve as a model of an accessible corporate environment and allow the organization to maintain and grow strong programs as the number of people with ID/D continues to increase within Maryland.
With our new headquarters and professional development center, The Arc CCR can more sufficiently provide support services and resources for the people we serve, and more importantly, include their families, and our neighbors and community members to engage with us in a more meaningful way.
A digital and book library is available to families of children with disabilities and other professionals. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building features the administrative headquarters and a separate area for training sessions and other community programs.
Also included in the expansion are the Lorraine Sheehan Center for Enterprise & Community Development, and the Rollason Community Center.
To help us meet our vision, core values and deepen our focus on the people we serve, we are partnering with the community to take part in our promise forward by getting involved. There is a great need for direct service professionals for those seeking employment opportunities, as well as volunteer positions for individuals and groups.
As we look ahead, we have a positive vision for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that includes public and private support and an invested interest in their success from the community at large.
What started with a promise by a group of parents who envisioned a different future for their children than was available nearly 60 years ago — a promise of respect, opportunity, and achievement — evolved into a commitment to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain independence, live their dreams, and challenge the status quo.
Read more: https://www.capitalgazette.com/opinion/columns/ac-ce-column-rondeau-20190412-story.html
Our Chief Executive Officer, Jonathon Rondeau, recently had a visit with Yolanda Vazquez at Comcast Newsmakers in White Marsh, Maryland. They discussed the areas that The Arc Central Chesapeake Region supports, the work and what we do for people with disabilities, some of the help we are seeking, and the upcoming fundraiser events we will be holding.
Comcast Newsmakers is the longest-running news and public affairs platform of any cable operator in the country. Having launched in 1990 with a single production unit near the nation’s capital, Comcast Newsmakers today includes a national edition, regional production serving select Comcast markets, and a growing digital presence.
Centrally focused on issue-based conversations, Comcast Newsmakers welcomes regional and national trailblazers to discuss ideas, assess community challenges and progress, and inspire meaningful action. Conversations span a broad range of topics, including:
See the complete video: https://comcastnewsmakers.com/Videos/2019/3/11/The-Arc-of-the-Chesapeake
Thousands of Maryland workers work full-time but don’t earn enough to make ends meet. That’s why the Fight for $15 Maryland Coalition is calling on the state legislature in Annapolis to stand up for its hard-working people and raise the state’s minimum wage from $9.25 to $15.00 per hour by 2023!
A $15 minimum wage means a better Maryland for all of us. Raising the wage would lift thousands of families out of poverty, create new customers and profits for local businesses, and strengthen our neighborhoods.
Kara from The Arc Central Chesapeake Region did a great testimony, she is a Direct Service Professional (DSP) on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She spoke freely about her passion for the work she does daily with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, her struggles as a single mother and tough choices she has had to make. She supports the Fight for $15.00!
The committee room and hallway were packed with advocates for the Fight for $15 bill (HB166) hearing. We are grateful to Del. Diana Fennell and other sponsors for putting together a bill that includes provisions for DD Community Services funding; to ensure that Direct Support jobs do not become minimum wage jobs.
A $15 minimum wage means a better Maryland for all of us:
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), a nonprofit committed to providing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain independence, today announced that two new members have been added to its Board, William C. Hollis III, who is the founding partner in the firm Hollis, Cronan & Fronk, P.A., located in Easton, and Tim Jones, […]
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Thanks to Amazon customers shopping at smile.amazon.com, AmazonSmile has donated over $100 million to charities around the world! To celebrate, they are launching their biggest bonus donation to date — 5% for 5 days. From Oct 29 – Nov 2, they are donating 5%, ten times our usual rate. With the holidays right around the corner, you can get a jump start on shopping.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-6047882
Click on the link above and link you Amazon account to The Arc CCR.
