Today’s Arc

Save the Date!

“Best in the West”

Saturday, November 21

6:30 pm

George Ranch Arena10215 FM 762

Richmond, Texas

Today’s ArcSeptember 2009

Volume 8, Issue 9

Inside thisissue:

Mission, Vision, Board Members

2

Chairman’s Corner 3

Special Olympics News

8

“SUCCESSFUL” Summer

5

September 2009 Calendar

6

Membership Form 7

2009Special Needs Conference & Resource Fair

Free event - open to everyone!

Sat. Oct. 17th

Stafford High School1625 Staffordshire Road Stafford, Texas

77477

Presentation Schedule: 8:30

11:00 am8:30 9:30 am

9:45 10:45 am 11:00 Noon 12:15 1:15 pm

EducationForum

** Paraprofessional Training** (CPE)

** DiffrentiatedInstruction ** (CPE)

**Access to GeneralCurriculum** (CPE) ** Inclusion ** (CPE)

Special Needs Trusts Social Security Issues Social Security Issues Master Pooled TrustsABAs & BehaviorManagement

Transition Planning10 Tips for Employment

SuccessMicroboards Guardianship Issues Siblings & Relationships Potty Training

Post HS Educational OptionsTransportation Options in

FBCThe “Waiting Lists” Explained

Post HS Employmentoptions

CPE credits offered through UH Continuing Education Department. $5.00 per select presentation. RSVPrequested but not mandatory.

9:30 am– 12:30 pm Exhibition Hall: Over 30 agencies serving persons with disabilities

For additional information: Cheryl Sewell: 281-494-5924 [email protected]

FREEChildcare

for children with or without disabilities

Adultcare for adults w/disabilities

Supervised by 2 employees from BTTC And high school students

Volume 8, Issue 9 Page �

The Arc of Fort Bend County Board of Directors 2009-2010

EXECUTIVE BOARDChairmanBarry Beard

Vice ChairmanGreg Hernandez

TreasurerKaren Daly

SecretarySandra Pierce

Past ChairmanMichael E. Casey

MEMBERS AT LARGE Mike CaseyRick CushenberryBecky GearyAvis GoldyPaul HardingStewart JacobsonThelma JonesJack MolhoJacqui RussellMary Stephney Quinby

Executive DirectorLaura LaVigne

Education AdvocateCheryl Sewell

Employment SpecialistMargo Pasko

Program DirectorNancy Dobert

Administrative AssistantNicole Castagnet Account ManagerJenny Schulte

Committee Assignments and Job Descriptions are available on our website

CORE VALUES1. Awareness: greater awareness about

individuals with disabilities increases understanding about the abilities of individuals with disabilities, and greater understanding increases opportunities for individuals with disabilities, so we work to achieve greater awareness to achieve greater understanding to expand opportunities.

2. Diversity: we must serve all individuals with mental retardation or related developmental disabilities and their families in this county.

3. Respect: we must be understanding of and sensitive to the concerns of individuals with disabilities about their identity and how we describe them.

4. Ownership: it is important to have community members serve on our committees and board, and support our association, but our association should remain an “individuals with disabilities and their families” organization.

5. Advocacy: with limited resources, if we become primarily or solely a provider organization, our association will never do more than make only a limited impact on the quality of life of a few individuals with disabilities.

6. Cooperation: advocacy and programs that benefit individuals with mental retardation and their families in many cases will also benefit individuals with other disabilities.

7. Good Stewardship: as an association, we must be fiduciaries of the talent and resources that our volunteers and community supporters entrust to us.

OUR GOALS

The Arc’s goals were chosen to be directed toward Mission and Vision and build on our strength and success.

I. The Arc will maintain an effective leadership team to insure the accomplishment of The Arc’s vision and mission.

II. The Arc will deploy outreach strategies that will increase community awareness of the needs of all Arc stakeholders.

III. The Arc will collaborate with existing transportation systems in Ft. Bend County to provide transportation that is reliable, safe and affordable.

IV. The Arc will collaborate with providers of job training and placement programs to improve quality and quantity of programs.

V. The Arc will provide programs and services which will directly improve the quality of life for its clients and their families.

VI. The Arc will implement sound fiduciary strategies that will increase financial stability and growth of the organization.

To Send a Special Tributeo In Memory of or o In Honor of

Pay tribute to a friend or family member while also supporting services and programs that benefit the Arc of Fort Bend County with your donation.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Person’s Name Occasion

Send acknowledgement to:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Name

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Address City, State, Zip

Please make checks payable to:The Arc of Fort Bend County

123 Brooks Street, Sugar Land, Texas 77478

OUR MISSIONThe Arc of Fort Bend County ensures opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their quality of life within our community.


Chairman’s CornerBarry Beard

As I continue to work with committees and staff on various projects that have been initiated to fulfill our mission at The Arc of Fort Bend, it becomes increasing clear that we have a great group of folks working very hard carrying out all the tasks necessary to have a successful organization. Some organizations lose sight of whom should serve whom, but The Arc of Fort Bend never forgets that it is here to serve our volunteers and clients. We strive to be good stewards of the aspirations, treasure and mission for our clients, donors and volunteers. Please know we take this charge very seriously.

Our facilities committee continues to get requests for more homes, and of course with more homes comes more upkeep and management. Therefore they are working on policies and procedures that will enable staff efficiency, and future committees to be successful in this area of work.

Transportation continues to expand as ridership increases. Three cheers for Chick-Fil-A, for making their Richmond location available as a pick-up site for the New Freedom Program. Further, they allowed their staff to be trained to better serve those that are there waiting to be taken to their destination. We will have a great deal more to say about continued opportunities for increased mobility for those that have various disabilities. Warmest Regards,Barry

Executive Director’s MessageLaura LaVigne

September brings the beginning of fall and the many activities The Arc completes before January 1st. We will assess our 2009 Operating Plan and develop activities for 2010. The Board will adopt the proposed 2010 budget which is developed from the Operating Plan. The “Best in the West” planning committee will begin meeting to get ready for this great event, scheduled for Saturday, November 21. All while continuing the programs and services for our community. The Arc’s Executive Committee has met and reviewed their responsibilities. Board Chair, Barry Beard, along with Vice Chair, Greg Hernandez, Treasurer, Karen Daly and Secretary, Sandra Pierce, are excited about supporting our goals of improving public transportation, education and employment in the County. As a new Executive committee, they bring a fresh perspective to our services.

As some of you may be aware, the IRS has implemented new requirements for non-profit organizations filing the 2008 Form 990. In preparation, The Arc Board adopted a set of “Financial Internal Controls” at the August Board meeting. These written Financial Internal Controls have been several years in the making but through the hard and persistent work of the 2008-09 Budget and Finance Committee, chaired by Jody Noirot, the documents were re-drafted, revised and adopted.

The 2009-10 Board Committees have been established and have started meeting. If you have an interest in serving on one of our committees, please contact me. You can view the committee job descriptions and members on our updated website www.arcoffortbend.org is up and running!

Did you know?

Fort Bend County is offering Free Prescription Discount CardsCall: 1-877-321-2652 for more information


Special Olympics Volunteer for Fall Season SportsOn Saturday, August 15, twenty-five people participated in The Arc’s first orientation On Saturday, August 15, twenty-five people participated in The Arc’s first orientation and training program for our delegation’s Special Olympics Volunteers. The two-hour training covered risk management, “Discipline with Dignity”, and Special Olympics protective behaviors. Executive Director, Laura LaVigne, Special Olympics Liaison, Margo Pasko and Area Training Director/Head of Delegation for Fall Sports, Larry Lobue, presented the training segments. On August 27 (after this issue went to press) additional volunteers participated in the same orientation and training, at the Sugar Land Community Center.

The Arc is providing this training for all volunteers who will be involved with our Special Olympics program this year. All volunteers must attend a training session. Participants will learn about risk management issues and how to discipline with dignity. They will also meet state requirements for protective behaviors training. The Arc is offering the training twice for each season of sports, Fall Classic, Winter Games, and Summer Games. Volunteers may choose which session to attend. There is no need to pre-register for training.

Watch this newsletter for future training dates. Please call Margo at 281-494-5928 if you cannot attend either of these sessions, but would like to volunteer with Special Olympics.

Meet Chase Clement & Jimmy MillerMy name is Chase Clement and I was born on June 11, 1986 in San Antonio, Texas. I am a middle child, with an older brother that is 24 years old, a graduate of Texas A&M, and a younger sister that is 18 years old, a freshman at Baylor. I graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 2004 and received a football scholarship to play at Rice University. I had a brief stint playing professional football in Canada in the Canadian football league, but realized that was not the path I needed to take. I currently work for Mass Mutual as a financial advisor. When I am not working, I am enjoying time with my fiancé, going to church at First Baptist Houston, playing golf, going to movies, getting on the grill with my friends, and watching sports.

My name is Jimmy Miller and I was born on May 26, 1987 in Houston, Texas. I am the youngest of three, with two older sisters ages 27 and 32. My oldest sister, Christina is the Head Swimming Coach at Fort Bend Travis High School, where she teaches Chemistry. My middle sister, Jennifer, is a special education teacher for the Santa Fe School district. I graduated from Fort Bend Austin High School in 2005 and received a football scholarship to play at Rice University. I majored in Economics and Management, with a minor in Business. I currently work for Mass Mutual as a financial advisor. I also attend Fist Baptist Church in Houston. When I am not working, I am enjoying time with my family, barbequing with friends, and playing golf. Note: Mass Mutual offers a “Special Care” program for people with disabilities and other special needs.

Lorinda Draper, Ms. Garza, Janet and Robert Pourciau, Mary and Ricky Moore, and JoAnn and Robert Bily.

Brazos Bend Guardianship ServicesKirk Monroe

Brazos Bend Guardianship Services is hosting a Guardianship and Alternatives to Guardianship Information Session on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the George Memorial Library located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room 2B on the second floor. Contact Kirk Monroe at 281-207-2320 or by e-mail at [email protected] to reserve your spot and/or request additional information. An attorney will be present at the meeting to answer any legal questions you might have.


Another “SUCCESSFUL” Summer!Cheryl Sewell

Summers seem to last forever for most kids, but this summer flew by in a flash for the students who attended Kids’ College and the 2009 Summer SUCCESS classes offered by Wharton County Junior College!

Students with disabilities, K-12, were offered a variety of Kids’ College classes for the summer. In addition, WCJC’s “Summer SUCCESS” class, a vocationally oriented program designed for individuals with special needs, ages 14-21, was offered. For adults, WCJC offers “Adult SUCCESS” classes during the summer and again on weeknights during the school year. The Arc of Fort Bend, WorkForce Solutions and WCJC partnered to develop the SUCCESS program in 2007.

This year’s “Summer SUCCESS” and “Adult SUCCESS” students learned a variety of job skills useful in various industries. They learned floral arrangement (including corsages and boutonnieres), cake baking and decorating, entrepreneurial activities such as making “flower pens”, cooking hygiene and safety, banquet settings, elegant napkin folding and other skills useful in the “hospitality” industry.

A wonderful addition to the teaching staff was Jay Swartz, who taught basic home repair skills. He taught our students how to use manual tools such as hammers & nails and screwdrivers along with electric power tools. The students learned how to repair bicycles, bicycle flat tires, lamps, doorknobs and faucets and how to assemble ceiling fans. He taught some basic carpentry including woodcutting and painting skills. Jay said that the SUCCESS students were a delight to teach and he was awed by their determination and interest in learning.

All of these activities were related to employment objectives, including job search, skills required, interview skills and appropriate workplace social skills.

Everyone was impressed by the students’ performances during the demonstration programs arranged by the Adult SUCCESS teacher, Hyacinth Pickersgill; the Youth SUCCESS teacher, Beverly Sanders, and Jay Swartz, the Home Repair teacher. Thank you and congratulations on a job well done!

By the way, Kandace Nasis, WCJC’s Youth Activities Coordinator, who coordinates both Kids’ College and the SUCCESS classes, hired former SUCCESS students to work during the summer. A great addition to Kandace’ snack bar staff this year was Jonathan Stout, 20. Jonathan has been looking for a job since he graduated from high school two years ago. This was his first job, ever! He took his responsibilities very seriously because while I was speaking to him, a gentleman came up to the counter to buy something and Jonathan very politely excused himself, attended to his customer and asked me to come back later when he wasn’t so busy. Kandace said that Jonathan has been very responsible, great with the kids and adults alike, takes directions well, has been very responsible with money handling duties and has been a real asset this summer. She would love to provide Jonathan a reference!

For additional information on SUCCESS, contact Kandace Nasis at WCJC: 281-239-1530. You can also find information at WCJC’s website: www.wcjc.edu (click on “For Community” then “Kids’ College” or “SUCCESS”).

Adult SUCCESS classes will be offered at night starting in September. Call Kandace for registration information! 281-239-1530


1 2SO - Aquatics Practice

3Self Advoates Meeting

4 5

6 7 8Transportation Committee Meeting

9SO - Aquatics Practice

10 11 12BowlingAquatics Area Competition

13TwentySomethings

14 15 16 17Sp. Ed - “The Basics”SO - Volleyball Practice

18SR - Dance at St. Theresa’sSO - Deadline Sign Up for Softball Area Tourament

19SO - Softball PracticeSO - Volleyball PracticeBowling

20 21 22 23 24SO - Volleyball Practice

25 26SO - Softball PracticeSO - Volleyball PracticeSR - Oil RanchBowling

27 28SR - Fort Bend County FairYouth Group - FBC FairArc Board of Directors Meeting

29 30

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

September 2009

Weekdays SO - Softball Practice 6:00 p.m. - sundown Call 281-494-5941 to find out day and location of all weekday softball practices

2 SO - Aquatics Practice 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Lamar Natatorium3 Self Advocates Meeting 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sugar Land Employment Center8 Transportation Committee Meeting 4:00 p.m. The Arc Office9 SO - Aquatics Practice 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Lamar Natatorium12 Bowling 2:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Stafford Lanes Aquatics Area Competition TBA Don Cook Natatorium13 TwentySomethings (must be a member of this group) 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. FunTiki17 Sp. Ed. - “The Basics” 11:30 am - 1:30 pm The Arc’s office 123 Brooks St. SO - Volleyball Practice 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. New Hope Lutheran Church18 SR- Dance at St. Theresa’s 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. St. Theresaís SO - Deadline- Sign- up for Softball Area Tournament Clute, TX 19 SO - Softball Practice 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Missouri City Community Park SO - Volleyball Practice 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. New Hope Lutheran Church Bowling 2:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Stafford Lanes 24 SO - Volleyball Practice 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. New Hope Lutheran Church26 SO - Softball Practice 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Missouri City Community Park SO - Volleyball Practice 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. New Hope Lutheran Church SR - Oil Ranch 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Hockley Bowling 2:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Stafford Lanes28 SR - Fort Bend County Fair 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Fort Bend County Fairgrounds Youth Group - FBC Fair 5:00 pm FBC Fairgrounds - Hwy 36 S. Arc Board of Directors Meeting 6:00 p.m. The Arc Office


Membership Form Date:

Please indicate New Member Renewing Member

Member Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Home Phone: ( ) - Cell Phone: ( ) -

E-mail Address:

I am a: Family Member Person with Disability Interested Citizen Professional who works in the Disability Field

Indicate the age of person with a disability: 0-12 13-22 23-54 55+

Optional:

Preference for Volunteer Opportunities: Committee Member Fund Raising Office Support Special Olympics & Bowling

Membership Levels: Individual with Disability Membership $10.00 Individual Membership $25.00 Family Membership 2nd Member Name $40.00 Corporate Membership $100.00 Additional Tax Deductible Donation $ If you wish, you may donate to a specific program:

Bowling Education/Employment Self-AdvocacySocial Recreation Special Olympics Transportation

Total Amount Enclosed $

Mail form and payment to: The Arc of Fort Bend County 123 Brooks Street OR Join Online at www.arcoffortbend.org.Sugar Land, Texas 77478

The Arc of Fort Bend County is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.

* Solely to help us know if we are serving our entire community, please check below:

American Indian/ Alaskan Native Asian/ Pacific Islander Black/ African American

Caucasian Hispanic Other

The Arc of Fort Bend County ensures opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their quality of life within our community.

Volume 8, Issue 9 Page 8

The Arc of Fort Bend County123 Brooks StreetSugar Land, Texas 77478Phone: 281-494-5959Fax: 281-494-5960

Non-Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDSugar Land TX Permit No 19

Special Olympics NewsMargo Pakso

PLEASE CALL THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS INFORMATION LINE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON PRACTICE SCHEDULES, AND OTHER NEWS: 281-494-5941

Our fall sports are underway, with competitions just around the corner. We hope that another hurricane doesn’t cause the cancellation of area competitions for aquatics and softball, as was the case last year.

The aquatics competition will be on Saturday, September 12, at FBISD’s Don Cook Natatorium in Sugar Land. It had been originally scheduled for September 19, so be sure that you note the date change! Your swim coaches Pauletta Gori, Susan Scarborough and Karen Guevara will tell you what time and where to meet at the Natatorium on September 12.

The softball competition will be in Clute on Saturday, October 3. Your coaches will give you the details on transportation, uniforms, etc. Recent changes in FBISD resulted in our delegation no longer having access to the Dulles field for our usual Tuesday night practices. We weren’t notified of the changes until after our practice calendar went to press. Your head of delegation has been working diligently to make other arrangements. If you have contacts with another school or organization that has a field that we could use, please let your coaches know! We have been putting the information on the Special Olympics phone line each week. Please continue to call 281-494-5941 for practice updates and other news.

Fall Classic state games will be in College Station October 22-24. When you receive the “Response and Medication” form for participation, please be sure to send it in to the Arc office by September 30. We will use that information to make sure that there is adequate supervision and transportation for each athlete. In addition, our hotel has an early cut-off date for room cancellations. So, please be sure to get your response to us to ensure that you have a space with our delegation! Thank you so much for your cooperation!

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Today’s Arc