AHRC New York City

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

for a research study of siblings & disabilities

- Do you have a brother or sister with an intellectual or developmental disability?

- Are you 18 years and older and live in the US?

- Do you provide care and/or support to your brother or sister with a disability? This can include everything from living with your sibling to driving them to the doctor, to talking on the phone and visiting.

IF SO, you can participate in an hour long online survey that looks at  empowerment, thoughts and beliefs, and mood among adult siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your participation can help in understanding needs of adult siblings who provide any form of care and support to their brothers or sisters with intellectual disabilities. Four lucky winners will receive $50 Sears gift cards

This research is conducted under the direction of Dr. Anne F. Farrell, HDFS, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT . If you need additional information about the study, contact her at anne.farrell@uconn.edu or mamta.saxena@uconn.edu

IRB protocol # X13-037

Survey Link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/siblingcaregivers

Microsoft Corporation has made a donation of approximately $250,000 in software to AHRC New York City as a result of an application submitted by the AHRC New York City Foundation.

This was the maximum grant available in 2013. Last year AHRC received a $500,000 software donation, the maximum available in 2012.

The new grant includes 175 SharePoint licenses, which will enable AHRC staff members to share resources and ideas in real time.  Most of the SharePoint licenses are for the use of AHRC’s “cross-functional” staff teams.  The teams work in five areas:  teaching people with autism, compliance with government regulations, human rights, assistive technology and mental health and hygiene.  Each team comprises representatives of multiple departments.

The grant also includes 254 Office Professional Plus licenses, of which 175 will be paired with the SharePoint licenses.  The remaining 79 will be used in the computer labs at AHRC Middle/High School, Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School and AHRC’s Employment and Business Services to teach skills needed for academic and employment success.

The lyrics say it all:

I am more than what you see.

There’s so much more inside of me.

They say that dreams come true if you believe, I believe…..

AHRC New York City invites you to support individuals with developmental disabilities by purchasing music downloads from our Songs for NYSARC Campaign page. View the video below, inspired by the song “I Am” performed by singer songwriter Liz Longley.

Our hope is that after watching the video, you will visit our donation page: http://www.ahrcnyc.org/aboutus/songs-for-nysarc.html and be inspired to share these songs with everyone.  Each download is $1.  Please buy one or two or four.   If everyone who’s been touched by AHRC buys just a few downloads, we can make magic.  Please join us!

You can also support these efforts by creating your own customized team page, where you can share these wonderful songs with friends and family.  If you would like to do this, just click here to begin the process.  You will be supporting the individuals served by AHRC like the ones in the film!

In October of 2012, AHRC New York City announced a newly-established relationship with the Council on Quality and Leadership, (CQL) who have for decades been leaders in the area of establishing standards and accreditation for organizations providing support to the elderly and disabled. AHRC New York City has been working to acquire CQL accreditation, with the goal of becoming recognized on a national level for promoting quality supports in a person-directed manner.

CQL provides a unique method for conducting conversations with the people supported by AHRC New York City. The goal of these conversations is to find out what each person truly wants from his or her life. This information will be used so that we can support people and plan for a future that makes them happier and more satisfied with their lives. This person-directed approach is one which AHRC New York City will incorporate into day- to-day operations with the expectation that the quality of the support we can provide will be enhanced.

Sandra Moody, AHRC’s Corporate Director of Quality Improvement and Outcomes, has been overseeing the implementation of the CQL approach within the agency.  “There are nine basic assurances that CQL states are requirements for all services and supports we provide,” says Sandra.  “Currently we have three Basic Assurance workgroups responsible for reviewing our policies and procedures for the agency, and making sure they fit the CQL mission as well as the mission of the individuals and staff.”  Each diverse group includes staff from all levels and the people who we support on the team.

On Thursday, March 21st, the Quality Improvement Department held a breakfast celebration for the Basic Assurance Workgroups, congratulating them on completing the first portion of the Self-Assessment tool.   Using the CQL Self-Assessment tool each group studies Nine Basic Factors including:

• Rights, Protection, & Promotion
  Dignity & Respect
  Natural Support Networks
  Protection from Abuse Neglect, Mistreatment & Exploitation
  Best Possible Health
  Safe Environments
  Positive Services & Supports
  Staff Resources & Supports
  Continuity & Security

Welcoming guests from the work groups, Executive Director, Gary Lind said, “When I came to AHRC New York City, I heard about the work that’s being done with CQL, and I got really excited about the potential here. As volunteers, you were willing to step up and take this added responsibility and bring your talents to it. You are helping to take this great organization and move it even further toward excellence.  It’s a good way to harness the energy, the creativity, and passion that people at AHRC have, and funnel it toward this great goal of engaging everyone in our organization in getting the best outcomes for the people we’re supporting. Thank you for all of the work you’ve been doing, and for all the work you will be doing as we move forward.”

The celebration also included an inspiring story of Miriam Figueroa, Recreational Services, and Colin Cowan-Dewitt,Community Support Professional, who helped Jamel, (in the photo above,) to achieve one of his goals: to attend a basketball game at Madison Square Garden.  Their assistance followed a CQL interview conducted by Quality Improvement Specialist, Naida Urena and Miriam, who after speaking to Jamel, realized that they were in a position to make one of his dreams a reality.  Jamel, who was also in attendance of the celebration, spoke about his experience with excitement. “It was one of the best times of my life!” he added.

The next steps for the Basic Assurance work groups are to create and improve our current policy and procedures, to fit within CQL’s mission. They will present their work and findings for review in the coming weeks.

The Quality Improvement department would like to thank all staff who have worked together to make AHRC New York City and the community a better place for people with disabilities.