Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:54 -0800WeeblyThu, 12 Apr 2012 20:18:51 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/04/april-is-autism-awareness-month.htmlThe Arc of the United States created a new program called Autism NOW in 2011.  Autism NOW Empowers Individuals on the Autism Spectrum.  Autism NOW is a new national information and resource center created by The Arc and funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities, their families and professionals in the field. Through a comprehensive website and various projects such as free Webinars and summits across the country, the center aims to empower individuals on the autism spectrum by offering them high-quality information in a central location which they can use to make better choices about how they live their lives.


The website, www.autismnow.org, is a unique joint venture of The Arc and several organizations dedicated to serving people on the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities. They combined their expertise to deliver basic information and education about issues related to autism in areas such as employment, home support, education support, inclusion and government assistance from several different perspectives including family members and professionals in the field.

Autism NOW also provides information and links to local, state, and national groups that can help provide people on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities, their families, and professional.  By providing information about contacts in people’s own community, Autism NOW encourages people to develop connections in their community and discover information tailored to their specific community or individual concern.  If you know of a group in your own community that you would like to share with others, please visit www.autismnow.org to spread the word!

At a local level, The Arc of Jefferson and Clearfield Counties provides a week long summer day camp program for children with Autism.  The camp is geared towards children ages 5 to 13 on the Autism Spectrum.  The camp provides social and recreational opportunities for children to enjoy during their summer break from school.  Activities include art, music, nature studies and a fun afternoon activity.  The camp is held the second week of August and is under the direction of Dan Minns.  The Arc provides a nutritious snack, lunch and fun at no cost to the family.  For more information on our camp please contact Dan Minns at 591-9537 or email mrminns@yahoo.com.  As well as the summer camp The Arc offers a monthly family support group where the families bring their children to do activities with volunteers as the parents meet for support.  Currently the groups are offered at two locations:  Camp Friendship in Reynoldsville on the first Tuesday in April from 6 to 8pm and in Punxsutawney at the Playhouse Children’s Center on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 8pm.  For more information on these family support groups please contact Executive Director, Stacy Hanzely at 591-6622.  Both groups are open to families raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism.

Look for us at the 3rd Annual Autism Awareness fair at the DuBois Mall on Saturday April 28th from 11am to 3pm at the DuBois Mall.  We will have applications for our 2012 Autism Camp available there.

]]>Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:21:00 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/03/disability-awareness-on-child-abuse.htmlChild abuse of the intellectually disabled is much easier because of their lack of understanding. We don't always see the abuse, nor hear about the abuse from the child or adult with Down Syndrome, or other intellectual disability. So there are two things we need to look at to try and prevent or stop the abuse of those with Down Syndrome:

One of the first signs of abuse is a change in behavior. Often the adult or child with Down Syndrome will act out the abuse they recieve. By noting changes in behavior, areas of abuse may come to be noticed that would have remained hidden.

The next line of abuse protection rests with the Down Syndrome or other intellectually impaired person, in that they need to be educated / trained about what is right or wrong beghavior and what to do should the situation arise. 
]]>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 07:36:12 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/03/disability-awareness-tip-of-the-day.htmlDown syndrome is one of the leading clinical causes of cognitive delay in the world - it is not related to race, nationality, religion or socio-economic status. Why does it happen? Currently scientifically unexplained. 
]]>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:47:23 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/02/membership-drive.htmlSo many do not know that we are a membership based organization.  Our members give us a voice at the state and national level regarding issues for people with disabilities.  The more members we have the more votes we have.  You need NOT have a family member with a disability to become a member, you only need a heart to help us help those in our community keep receiving their supports and services that are so very much needed.

Please consider becoming a member today!!  Contact stacy@jcarc.org for assistance.
]]>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:55:48 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/02/hbo-airs-film-about-disability-caregiving-hbo-airs-film-about-disability-caregiving-hbo-aires.htmlFrom The Arc of the United States
A new documentary, Raising Renee, which chronicles one woman's experience caring for her sister with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) will premiere on HBO this Wednesday, February 22 at 8 p.m. EST.

The film follows Beverly McIver and her older sister, Renee, over a six-year period after their mother's death showing how they adapt to their new reality and confront the opportunity for Renee to live independently for the first time at age 50.

In recent years, the cable channel aired Monica and David, a documentary about the marriage of two young adults with Down syndrome and produced a biopic of autism self-advocate Temple Grandin.

]]>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:19:41 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/02/respecting-differences.html"Recognizing and respecting differences in others, and treating everyone like you want them to treat you, will help make our world a better place for everyone. Care... be your best. You don't have to be handicapped to be different. Everyone is different!" - Kimputer, Kim Peek, inspiration for Rain Main.  
]]>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:53:25 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/02/thought-for-the-day.htmlIf you do not know someone with a disability, then you really don't know what your missing!!! ]]>Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:47:47 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/02/donate-online.htmlWe now have  an easy secure way to donate online via our webpage..  So go ahead, feel free give the button a try :)

http://www.firstgiving.com/thearcofjeffersoncounty

]]>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:09:48 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/01/tri-county-sunday-today.htmlToday there was a nice article talking about our Recreation and Respite Club in DuBois. The title of the article is "Club offers interaction for adults with disabilities".  Thank you to our board member Vicki Howerton for the getting the word out there!!!!
  ]]>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:17:21 -0800http://jcarc.org/1/post/2012/01/first-runwalk-committee-meeting-set.htmlHave Y-O-U ever been interested in volunteering to get a big event up and running such as our 33rd Annual Run or Walk for Someone Special and helping out a great cause, our first planning meeting is set up for Saturday January 28th at our new Recreation and Respite Club at 36 Hoover Avenue, DuBois at 10am.  We would surely love to have new ideas and more people to help us spread the word and help get the behind the scenes work accomplished quicker.  We have a wonderful group that has been bringing these races to the area for some time, and they all need applauded for their time and hard work.  We would like to extend the fun and sense of accomplishment to more people in our community.. This is open to anyone young or old who would like to see the summer camp programs at Camp Friendship in Reynoldsville continue to thrive and grow and reach new people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) each year. ]]>