Yates ARC will merge with Schuyler

Jun 18, 2014 at 12:01 am by Observer-Review


Yates ARC will merge with Schuyler   ADVERTISEMENT

Yates ARC will merge with Schuyler

TRI-COUNTY AREA—The Yates County and Schuyler County chapters of the New York State Arc (NYSARC) will proceed with plans to unify and become “The Arc of Schuyler-Yates” sometime in 2015. NYSARC is a statewide non-profit organization supporting people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
“Both the Arc of Yates and the Arc of Schuyler are the service provider of choice for many families and people with developmental disabilities,” says Marc Brandt, executive director of NYSARC, Inc. “Unifying the chapters provides for the potential for expanded and enhanced services in a time of otherwise dwindling funding from federal and state sources.”
The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the state agency that provides oversight of developmental disability service providers, has indicated support of the effort as the plan is consistent with the direction of changes in the field.
In 2013, New York State and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began to identify a series of shared goals to improve opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities in the areas of employment, integrated living, and self-direction of services, resulting in what is referred to on the OPWDD website as a “transformation agreement.” Anticipated changes in service options and how they will be funded in the future provided impetus for the two agencies to begin talk of working together.
“It is the right time to think about new ways of providing services,” said Ann McMullen, president of the Arc of Yates. “Our boards of directors have been engaged in joint planning for about a year and we have concluded that consolidation will serve the best interests of all of our stakeholders. The recent flooding of our North Avenue building in Penn Yan and our ability to bounce back lets you know how resilient and dedicated our staff are to ensure continuity of service for people with developmental disabilities that need this support. We know we can rise to any challenge.”  
Mike Stamp, president of the Arc of Schuyler said he agrees a consolidation of the chapters should move forward.  
“Schools, hospitals and county governments are all looking at how to do things more efficiently and effectively with less money,” Stamp said. “We know there are new expectations, and organizations need to adjust accordingly. We are proud that the leadership at both organizations are being proactive and forward thinking in this environment.”
Kate Ring, executive director of the Arc of Yates and Jeannette Frank, executive director of the Arc of Schuyler will co-lead the effort of consolidation.
“There is a lot of work to be done and we want to ensure that people are receiving the best services possible as we move forward,” said Ring. Frank adds, “I know that by working together we can continue to be the premier provider of services for current and future generations in our area.”
The Arc of Yates based in Penn Yan and the Arc of Schuyler based in Watkins Glen are both not-for-profit organizations providing a range of supports and services to children, adults, and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Services and supports will continue to be provided through these locations. Visit www.arcofschuyler.org and www.arcofyates.org for information on the chapters, programs and services.

 

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