New Arc SF Anti-Bullying Campaign Launches: "It Stops With Us"

SAN FRANCISCO, CA  The Arc San Francisco kicked off a new anti-bullying campaign to raise awareness about bullying in the LGBT and developmental disability communities and to increase support for the nonprofit's anti-bullying educational and leadership programs.

The campaign theme, "Bullying Stops With Us," runs throughout a new PSA featuring clients of The Arc and local city official Bevan Dufty who talk about their experiences being bullied and the devastating effects. LINK TO VIDEO  https://vimeo.com/126191362   The campaign will raise awareness and funds through social media and crowdfunding using the popular GoFundMe platform.

9 out of 10 LGBT youth have been bullied, according to the National Youth Organization, and straight or gay, all clients of The Arc report that they have faced bullying throughout their lives. Bullying causes depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, absenteeism and a host of physical ailments. EFFECTS OF BULLYING  http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/effects/ 

Said Dr. Glenn Motola, CEO, "As a learning and leadership center for adults with developmental disabilities including autism and Down syndrome, The Arc must empower our clients to respond to bullying--non-violently and effectively. That's why we are training new leaders, Arc Allies, who can defend and support their peers to stand up to bullying, whatever its form."

Said Meredith Manning, Director of Communications, "Words we are all loathe to hear--like "retard," "weirdo" or "faggot"--cut deep. But so do other bullying tactics like exclusion, cyber-attacks and physical force. Our goal is to create a new generation of client-leaders who have the tools they need to feel empowered, supported, accepted and respected."

Anti-bullying programs at The Arc San Francisco are designed to build leadership skills and confidence while raising awareness about bullying in the wider community.

About The Arc San Francisco
The Arc San Francisco is a learning and achievement center for over 700 individuals with developmental disabilities in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties. For over 60 years, The Arc has been widely recognized for its innovation in education and career programs as well as independent living services, health advocacy and a broad range of arts and recreation opportunities. The Arc supports individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities to meet the challenges of adulthood while achieving personal goals and lifelong success. Our affiliations with over 90 business, education and health partners enable us to provide successful internships and employment opportunities while offering a more diverse, enriching life experience for those we serve.
For more information visit http://www.thearcsf.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Meredith Manning, Director of Communications, mmanning@thearcsf.org, (415) 902-9859

2015 WorkLife Awards Winners Announced

San Francisco, California, April 16, 2015

 

The Arc San Francisco today announced the recipients of the agency’s prestigious 2015 WorkLife Awards celebrating the work and life achievements of people with developmental disabilities and the employers who champion their success and benefit from their diverse skills and experience.
 
The theme is “The Future’s So Bright” which is intended to highlight the range of opportunities made possible by Arc partnerships with area businesses, from internships and training programs to competitive careers. Thirty different corporations and partners are supporting the award event. Info at: http://www.thearcsf.org
WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2015 5:00-7:00pm    
WHERE: The Arc San Francisco, 1500 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

EMPLOYER HONOREES
Employer of the Year: California Academy of Sciences
Cal Academy has 6 interns and 4 employees from The Arc with disabilities on staff. Their commitment to creating an inclusive work environment is outstanding.
New Employer of the Year: Facebook
Facebook hired 6 clients of The Arc in the last twelve months and is recognized for their leadership in defining and growing their role in office services and catering support.
Industry/Sector Awards: Bright Horizons (Education), Marriott Corp. (Hospitality), Intuit (Technology), Project Open Hand (Volunteer Project Partner) This group is recognized for championing diversity in the workforce and fostering the growth and development of people with developmental disabilities.

EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES HONOREES
The honorees are chosen based on ballot responses from co-workers.
Employee of the Year: Gail Vaughn, American Grilled Cheese
New Employee of the Year: Terrell McClanahan, Twitter
Core Value “Self-Determination” Award: Cindi Ruiz, Bright Horizons
Intern of the Year: Christine Cooper, PG&E (now an employee at Facebook)
Volunteer of the Year: Ben Salguero, Salvation Army

STATEMENT FROM DR. GLENN MOTOLA, CEO, THE ARC SAN FRANCISCO
The opportunity to work is the single most important factor in achieving personal independence for people with developmental disabilities. I congratulate the businesses who are receiving The Arc’s WorkLife Awards for their successful record of diversity and inclusion. These outstanding businesses are helping the individuals we serve reach their full potential. They support our clients in becoming taxpayers and fully contributing adults who are vital members of their communities.
I commend our employees with disabilities from The Arc who are award winners this year. Their determination to succeed and commitment to learn, grow and advance in the workplace is exemplary and I am very proud of their accomplishments.

EVENT SPONSORS
Event Sponsors for 2015 include Presenting Sponsors Union Bank Foundation and ECHO Technology Solutions.
Additional sponsors include AT&T, Marin Software, Pillsbury, DocuSign, Ernst & Young, Fenwick A& West, Osterweis Capital Management, Wells Fargo, Safeway, Deloitte, Hanson Bridgett, PG&E, Salesforce.com, Zendesk, Kixeye, Morrison & Foerster, Burr Pilger Mayer, DH Insurance, Bright Horizons, California Academy of Sciences, State Street, Intuit, Venables Bell & Partners, the San Francisco Giants and San Francisco Toyota.
Media Sponsor: San Francisco Business Times

ABOUT THE ARC SAN FRANCISCO
The Arc San Francisco is a supported learning and achievement center for over 700 individuals with developmental disabilities in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties. For over 60 years, The Arc has been widely recognized for its innovation in education and career programs as well as independent living services, health advocacy and a broad range of arts and recreation opportunities. The Arc supports individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities to meet the challenges of adulthood while achieving personal goals and lifelong success. Our affiliations with over 90 business, education and health partners enable us to provide successful internships and employment opportunities while offering a more diverse, enriching life experience for those we serve.
For more information visit http://www.thearcsf.org

THE ARC SF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
The Arc San Francisco provides specialized employment services that support the success of individuals with developmental disabilities in today’s competitive job market. Working collaboratively with clients, The Arc’s experienced team matches qualified, motivated job candidates to part- and full-time positions in office and facility services, data entry, tech support, customer service, education, hospitality and retail, ensuring success through ongoing job coaching and career skills development.

Information: Meredith Manning, Director of Communications, mmanning@thearcsf.org
Kristen Pedersen, Director of Employment, kpedersen@thearcsf.org

Disability, Civic and Business Leaders Tackle Unemployment at Twitter-Hosted Hackathon

Twitter and The Arc San Francisco hosted a “Community Conversations” hackathon in San Francisco, California on Thursday, January 22^nd, teaming up with city Supervisors, business leaders and advocates to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.



San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar (center, wearing tie) at a discussion session to improve job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Over 80 participants attended the lively one-day event held at Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters, working together to tackle some of the biggest barriers to more jobs by sharing idea and resources.

Aaron Rothman, Recruiting Manager Engineering, Janet Van Huysse, VP Human Resources and Caroline Barlerin, Head of Community Outreach and Philanthropy, were all on hand to lend support and speak as employers with experience hiring people with disabilities.

“It’s important for us to open up our network and share our success with clients of The Arc,” said Mr. Rothman.

 

"More companies need to be involved in this effort," said Ms. Van Huysse.

 

Janet Van Huysse, Twitter VP Human Resources, commits her team to reaching out to other companies who can benefit from hiring people with developmental disabilities.

 

“California ranks last in the nation in employment for people with disabilities,” said The Arc’s Kristen Pedersen, Director of Employment. “There are thousands of people with disabilities who can work, who want to work and enjoy the dignity of participating in the economy and contributing to our City. With today’s event, we’re creating new partnerships and solutions that will put more people in jobs and make a powerful difference in all our lives.”

Get involved with The Arc San Francisco! We need volunteers in our classes, our computer lab, our job club, kitchens and events. Visit us at www.thearcsf.org/get-involved/volunteer/

The Community Conversations event was sponsored by California Consortium for Youth, a project of UCLA’s Tarjan Center, with local support provided by The Arc San Francisco, @thearcsf, a learning and service center providing education, vocation and life enrichment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

-Meredith Manning, Director of Communications, The Arc San Francisco mmanning@thearcsf.org

Twitter: @thearcsf

ABLE Act is Now Law

On Friday, December 19, 2014, President Obama signed the ABLE Act into law. It was part of a larger bill of end of year tax provisions approved by Congress.

The Arc, the nation’s largest organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), released the following statement after the Achieving a Better Life Act (ABLE Act) was approved.

“While the legislation was narrowed due to the constraints from the cost analysis, the approved bill will provide a vehicle for some families and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to save for the future, depending on their own circumstances.  The Arc will continue to work with the leadership and chief sponsors in Congress to expand this program in the future to ensure that everyone in need can get the maximum benefit from this legislation. We remain disappointed that certain pay-fors remain in the bill,” said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.

The ABLE Act changes the tax code to allow for tax advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities for certain expenses, like education, housing, and transportation.  Similar to existing “Section 529” education savings accounts, ABLE accounts let families save for disability-related expenses on behalf of qualified beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement, but not replace, benefits provided through the Medicaid program, the Supplemental Security Income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources. 

If properly managed, funds in the ABLE accounts will not jeopardize eligibility for critical federal benefits. With full understanding of its features, individuals and families could use the ABLE accounts as another tool in planning for the lifetime needs of an individual with long term disabilities. The version of the bill that was signed into law includes age limitations and a cap on contributions, added in July by the Committee on Ways and Means to reduce the costs of the bill. 

10 Things You Need to Know About the ABLE Act

http://www.ndss.org/About-NDSS/Newsroom/Recent-News/ABLE-Act-Becomes-the-Law-of-the-Land-/

Behavioral Health Support for Military Families

On November 19, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced amendment 2265 to provide access to behavioral health treatment, including applied behavioral analysis (ABA), to children and adults with developmental disabilities in TRICARE, the military’s health care system.  A similar provision was passed by the House in June.  Behavioral health therapy has been shown to be highly effective for children with significant developmental disabilities.  TRICARE currently provid es limited coverage of ABA under three different programs (for a summary, visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy/insurancelink/results/5 )


Ask Your Senators to Support Behavioral Health Care for Children of Military Families

Twitter Helps Job Seekers at The Arc

Nine volunteers from social media giant Twitter conducted a job-readiness workshop with 25 clients of The Arc San Francisco on Friday, 11/7/14.

The Arc's Howard Street offices were transformed into interview stations where employment candidates met with Twitter "interviewers" from @twitterforgood to get some tips on presenting their best selves to potential employers.

Said one candidate, Kathy, "I want to be prepared and do my best in an interview, so this is good practice for me."

The mock interviews provided an oportunity for participating clients to develop professionally while giving Twitter staff an insight into the potential and challenges of people with disabilities.

The event was covered by the San Francisco Chronicle. Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/qjqs5f3

Twitter Steps Up to Support Arc Clients

Social media giant @twitter will be on-site this Friday, 11/7, conducting mock interviews with job-seeking clients @thearcsf. Kristen Pedersen, Director of Employment Services, is looking forward to a lively workshop that will give Arc job candidates "more experience and confidence so that they are comfortable and successful when they have an actual job interview."
Twitter continues a wonderful trend of companies committed to volunteering time and talents at The Arc. Most recently, LinkedIn led a workshop to help clients create profiles and leverage their professional presentation. Schwab let a class on setting financial goals (Anna: "Save for Vegas, baby!"  Rich: "Get a new computer.")
These partnerships help our clients develop personally and professionally and we encourage more companies to get involved! Contact Kelsey Hermann, Volunteer Manager at khermann@thearcsf.org or call Kelsey at (415) 255-7200 x120.
Sidenote: Twitter currently employs two clients of The Arc. We thank them for championing their success.