A Time to Thrive - Building Pathways to Empowerment

March 11th, 2010 by John Dickerson

The response to the announcement of our Building Pathways to Empowerment campaign has been so reinforcing.  The offers of help, both personal and financial, are tremendous.  Families and self-advocates have called and their excitement is contagious!  

A parent who serves on our board shared with me that it is so important for us to get the message out that we are not simply trying to survive this crisis -  we are finding and working towards new ways to thrive. 

A mother shared with me that she certainly could do with less and would be glad to - but wants to make sure there is less bureaucracy in the system as well.  

Provider response is also positive - providers are ready for change.  At a meeting of  the Indiana Conference of Executive Directors of Arcs, (ICEArc) Directors said that they clearly see the need for change and the value of redefining outcomes to focus on relationships and happiness.  They also see the need to not wait for the state to begin saving money.  One of our chapters has identified that just within their agency over $4 million dollars a year of savings can be made.   

In an interview with a Fort Wayne newspaper yesterday I laid out critical areas where savings can be captured - housemates, sensible approaches to serving people with high costs, and administrative reform to reduce bureaucracy.  We will link you to this article when it runs in the Fort Wayne paper. 

Our goal is get the word out to the general public through at least 100 interviews with newspapers, radio, and television between now and November.  Sally Morris, The Arc’s Assistant Director of Public Relations, is coordinating a new effort with communication staff at our local Arcs.  If you have ideas or want to help, please contact Sally at smorris@arcind.org. Mark Kevitt, The Arc’s Director of Program Services, is serving as our “Campaign Manager.”  Please contact Mark with any ideas or offers to help at mkevitt@arcind.org.

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Bidding for Good - The Inside Scoop on How a Phil Simms Autographed Jersey Came to be in The Arc of Indiana’s Online Auction

December 1st, 2009 by Sally Morris

There is less than TWO DAYS to start or complete your holiday shopping on The Arc of Indiana’s online auction, Holiday Shopping through The Arc.   The auction will close and bidding will end on December 2nd at 8:00 p.m.  The highest bid wins!

There are many wonderful items in this year’s online auction, including a Phil Simms hand autographed jersey: https://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=100826791

How The Arc came by the jersey makes for an interesting story, and shows the generosity of Phil Simms - one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the league with numerous titles including two time Super Bowl winner, two time Pro Bowl selection, 1987 Super Bowl MVP and 1985 Pro Bowl MVP.

So here is the inside scoop … While attending The Arc US Conference in Pittsburgh in November, folks from Indiana who had gathered in the hotel lobby noticed Phil Simms walking by (most likely in town for the upcoming Steelers game.)  Deb Seman, Executive Director of Arc Opportunities, local chapter of The Arc in LaGrange County, did not hesitate to walk right up  and say, “Are You Phil Simms?  Would you mind giving us your autograph for an auction to help people with developmental disabilities?”

Mr. Simms replied, “Oh, I can do something better for you than that!  Here is my cell phone number.  Text me tomorrow and I promise I will send something.”

Well, Jill Vaught, The Arc of Indiana’s Director of Organizational Advancement (and staff person responsible for the auction), was thrilled.
She followed up with (the world’s longest) text message the following day, and the next day Mr. Simms had overnighted the signed jersey. 

So there’s the inside scoop … now that you know, wouldn’t owning that signed jersey be even more fun?  But, if sports wear is not your thing, there is plenty more to check out, and still time to place your bid!

Just go to:  Holiday Shopping through The Arc.

Special thanks to Phil Simms for his generosity, and to Deb Seman for her gumption!

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Ground-breaking conference set for October 1st

August 24th, 2009 by John Dickerson

The news is filled with town hall meetings where the dialogue is hot and at times a bit frightening for people.  It is clear that health care reform has touched a nerve with those who both want it and those that are against it.  Few topics have generated such intensity in recent times.  Many more feel that finding common ground on many of the challenges facing us is getting more difficult.

 

Many feel this intensity reflects the great uncertainty many people are feeling every day.  Jobs are gone, retirement accounts have been devastated, and people caught in the middle worry about their aging parents, their children and their own security.

 

Rather than raising our voices, The Arc believes we can use technology to help us find what really is important.   

 

On October 1, 2009, The Arc is going to do something we have never done before.  We are going to ask people to use the state-of-the-art technology to ask families, self-advocates, and professionals the 60 most critical questions that we could fashion.  Covering every area from these critical questions will be answered by every attendee, breaking out the responses and sharing with everyone who attends, how people really feel about the critical choices people need to make.

 

Topics will include early childhood, education, health care, employment, family support, living in the community, future planning and guardianship, cultural competency, post-secondary education and training all will be covered.  We have had a group of families professionals, and self advocates working all summer to ask the right questions.

 

Nothing has ever been done to ask so many, such critical questions and provide near instant feedback.  And its affordable.

 

The registration for this ground-breaking event is just $15 for self-advocates, $19 for families, and $35 for professionals and that includes free parking at The Indianapolis Zoo with shuttle service.   That also includes lunch with special guest Tom Pomeranz!

 

Make your voice heard.  We hope to have the largest gathering of consumers, families and professional together for this incredible event. For more information go to www.arcind.org.  

 

Be there for something unlike anything we have ever done.  This is not the time for yelling at each other, but forging some common ground on what is important and where we need to go  I hope to see you October 1st.

 

 

 

 

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Sharing the Good News About Computer for my work

August 14th, 2009 by John Dickerson

I just wanted to share my good news with everybody, you see for years I have wanted a laptop computer, well I just completed my training with computers on 7-15-09 and was given a certificate for my accomplishments.  I would not have been so successful if it wasn’t for Sharon Lewis she was my teacher and she works for Bona Vista.  She taught everything that I needed to know about computers.  I took this training for The Arc Network because in my work for The Arc of Indiana I keep in touch with the Network and other self-advocates.  I love my job with The Arc Network, if it wasn’t for them I probably wouldn’t be as successful as I’m right now.  I will be emailing everybody that is with The Arc Network so that I can let them know what I have been working in my county.  I hope everyone is happy for that I successfully completed by training and gotten my certificate.  But once again i say a big thank you to Sharon Lewis.  I will always remember everything that she has taught me. 

Norma Jean Schwering,   Self Advocate, The Arc Network

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Self Advocates of Indiana Picnic Huge Success

July 13th, 2009 by John Dickerson

With over 700 Self Advocates present, Friday’s annual SAI picnic was a resounding success.  This was the largest ever picnic and kicked off the new election cycle for the SAI Board of Directors.  

One of the constant reminders throughout the picnic is how important so many people were to not only the success of the picnic but to the lives of people.  The entire INARF staff was present to help with many tasks from parking to snow cones - and thanks to them my photography equipment was not ruined in the rain- thanks guys.   A special thank you also to the entire staff of The Arc of Indiana who were there as well. 

We had numerous providers that made it possible for people to come from all corners of the state by making tranportation and staff available.

The leadership of the state was there from FSSA, the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, IPMG and many more.   The health screening by Indiana Special Olympics was busy all day and was a great addition to the day. 

Helpers and support staff from each of the SAI chapters were present and our state board were remarkable as always.  Thanks again for all you do.

Soon we will have photos up for people to order on line as in the past. 

It was a great day added to the fact over 400 items of food were donated and taken to a food pantry on Saturday morning that works with homeless families in need.  They were greatly appreciative of this effort and one we hope will only continue to grow in the future.

All in all a wonderful day with lots of people who made it possible.  Once again our thanks to all.

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Traveling across country - impact of government cutbacks felt

July 5th, 2009 by John Dickerson

This Fourth of July holiday had found us traveling across the midwest to see family in South Dakota.  Each state we have spent time in, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota are all facing very tough decisions regarding state funding.  A common theme in each is that they must cut spending with human services and education heading the list. 

In Illinois, a budget impasse - which we avoided  in Indiana - is leaving many families and community organizations wondering what will happen.  In Minnesota, the Governor is using his authority to reduce the budget and people with disabilities will face real cuts.

There is no doubt that our future ability to educate and support people with disabilities in Indiana will depend on how quickly our economy responds to federal and state initiatives.  Many believe we have not hit bottom yet, others see signs that it the economy is responding to these initiatives. 

It is going to be a tough two years as the budget passed by the General Assembly will force some difficult choices.  The state budget combined with the reduced county revenue adds to the problem.  Some of our county leaders are working hard to continue their support of programs for people with disabilities while others have already targeted eliminating county funding for programs for people with disabilities, will put tremendous pressure on agencies and families. 

Our work is just beginning as we look toward the future.  It will again come back to how well we organize, find new answers to these challenging problems and pull together.   We have done it before and will again.

One of the values of traveling is realizing how good home looks.  Seeing what is happening in other states makes me realize how very good it is to be from Indiana - because of you.  Thanks for all you do.

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Best Workplace - Employees picks three agencies that serve people with disabilitie

June 23rd, 2009 by John Dickerson

The Indianapolis Star each year identifies the top companies that employees themselves identify as the best places to work in the greater Indianapolis area. This year for the first time, three of the top ten medium-sized companies provide supports to people with disabilities and their families.

 Opportunities for Positive Growth, Insights Consulting and Bosma Industries all made the lis of top ten workplaces.  The Arc of Indiana congratulates all three for this incredible achievement. 

 In this time when there are so many challenges facing us, to be nominated by your employees and the selected by business leaders is quite an honor.

According to the article what do employees want: “Workers want job security. They crave managers who are fair and honest with them. They want to be able to advance from within and be offered training. They want to feel trusted. They want recognition for their work.”

For more information on the winners and the process visit

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906210317

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Retirement does not mean gone - Nanette Whighsel transitioning

June 19th, 2009 by John Dickerson

It was a little over 10 years ago when Kathy Davis, then Secretary of FSSA and I traveled to New Castle State Developmental Center to announce Governor Obannon’s decision to close the facility in the wake of a hidden camera expose of abuse of persons who lived at the facility.   We walked into a crowd of over 250 parents, consumers and staff all angry as the news was broken by the media. We left some five hours later; after listening to everyone who wanted to stay and talk to Kathy and I.

 One of the mom’s that met us that day was Nanette Whightsel.  She knew we were crazy. Her daughter Suzette had been kicked out of every program she had ever been in. Kathy immediately recognized a spark there and asked Nanette to help her figure this out and put her on a committee. 

Nanette jumped right in to prove us wrong.  Instead she became a true believer.  Four years later she joined the staff of The Arc of Indiana, traveling the state to help other families with loved ones in state developmental centers. Her impact has been amazing. 

She is now retiring from The Arc, and moving into a new role taking her commitment to building community to states around the country as part of The Arc Resource Team.  

Nanette, we are eternally grateful for your determination, dedication and passion.  Indiana is better for your work, and people across the state have lives that are amazing because of you.  Thank you.

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“Homelessness up 78% - Total Could Be Far Higher” Indianapolis Star 6-18-09

June 18th, 2009 by John Dickerson

Across the state of Indiana, more people are losing their homes - the two biggest reasons are medical crisis and losing your job.  With homelessness comes a tremendous demand on food pantries all across the state.

 At recent meetings of Self Advocates and The Arc people wanted to help.  

Self-Advocates of Indiana and The Arc of Indiana are partnering to encourage people with disabilities and their families, provider organizations and friends to sponsor a food drive in your community during the months of July and August.  To start this process going, everyone is being asked to bring canned goods to the Self-Advocates of Indiana Statewide Picnic on July 10th in Indianapolis.  For more information on the picnic click here

 www.arcind.org/calendar

 All of the food brought on July 10th will go to Gleaners Food Bank and reach people throughout central Indiana.   

What should we bring:

  •  Canned meats like tuna and chicken
  • Heat and serve meals such as soups & ravioli
  • 100% fruit juices
  • Canned fruits and vegetables
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Other kid friendly foods like Macaroni, cereal, applesauce cups & healthy snacks

 Plan on attending the July 10th Self-Advocates of Indiana Picnic and bring food. Then plan what you can do in your own community. 

Stone Belt Arc operates a year round project; Hand In Hand. that also provides a key role for people with disabilities helping others - more info at www.stonebelt.org/index.php?pageId+23   This is a great opportunity to give back to our comunities. 

Come July 10th,  and please contact your local food bank to see how you can help. 

 Someone you know will need it, and you will make a difference

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