Choosing Success | Choosing Self Direction Mike is a LIFEPlan member from Hamilton, NY who has Self Direction services that give him access to many different aspects of life that he might otherwise not have. What is Self Direction? Self…
Continue ReadingMembers Go the Extra Mile to Advocate for their Services LIFEPlan members depend on Care Management Services funded through OPWDD. Now, OPWDD is planning to cut another 23% from the CCOs’ budget after a 16% cut in late 2020. In just…
Continue ReadingLIFEPlan member Ian Singer Ian Singer has been a LIFEPlan member for 2 years. Ian is 27 years old and works at a grocery store in Westchester County. He knows his Care Manager Valerie cares about his needs. Ian says she calls him to see how he’s doing,…
Continue ReadingLIFEPlan Member has a Passion for Videography LIFEPlan member Brandy Parker resides in Sydney, NY, has dealt with the impacts of COVID-19 through her passion for videography. “COVID has changed my life both physically and emotionally. I haven’t been able…
Continue ReadingSelf-Advocate of the Year LIFEPlan member and Member and Family Advisory Council member, Ed Duryea has been named the 2020 Self-Advocate of the Year at The Arc of Jefferson-St. Lawrence. Self-Advocacy is speaking up for yourself and making your own decisions about your life.…
Continue ReadingExcellence Recognized within LIFEPlan LIFEPlan leadership have recognized staff excellence for their achievements, knowledge and expertise. Excellence Recognized: Sharon Jones, Care Manager, Mt Kisco Working with a job coach at Careers Support Solutions in Westchester County, Sharon was recognized for…
Continue ReadingThings Will Get Better 2020 is a year that has forced us all to adjust to change in how we do things, but things will get better. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 Pandemic now threatens Thanksgiving and Holiday traditions. Many families have…
Continue ReadingDetails and Essentials “It’s all in the details!” The term “essential worker” has become familiar to all of us since COVID-19 took hold of the world. It is often used to refer to doctors, nurses, first responders, and direct support professionals as these roles are visible to the public. As we have learned though, there…
Continue ReadingDevelopmental Milestones: The Silver Lining Developmental milestones are the silver lining in our lives. They are something that we have never taken for granted having two sons with autism. But we never give up. They are 22 and 20 now,…
Continue ReadingWhen Covid-19 started, my son’s IRA was on lock down. We were given a choice to leave him or bring him home. So, we chose to keep him in his IRA, where he was comfortable and better protected from the…
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