| The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence

Virtual Groundbreaking Ceremony Live on Facebook – July 13th at 1:00 p.m.

Transforming Lives and Building a Better Future: A project 3 years in the making is taking a big step forward!

Please join The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence and the JRC Foundation for a virtual groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the transformation of the agency’s main services building at 420 Gaffney Drive, in Watertown.

Although we would much rather celebrate this momentous occasion in person, in consideration of the health and well-being of our friends, families and staff, we will be streaming the event live on our Foundation’s Facebook page.

We invite you to join us live on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 1:00pm at https://www.facebook.com/jrcfoundationinc.

The video will be able to be viewed on our FB page following the groundbreaking for those who cannot watch the event live.

Thank you to all of our individual donors, corporate donors, civic organizations and foundations who helped us raise an unprecedented $2 million towards this vital project.

YOU are the reason we have come this far and we cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support!

Procedures and Policy Regarding Visits in Group Homes

The Arc Jefferson- St. Lawrence is pleased to once again be able to allow visitation with family members to our residential locations effective at 4:00 p.m. on June 19, 2020. We understand the concerns of families in regards to visitation with their family member being restricted due to State guidelines for close to three months; but limiting exposure to varied people has been successful in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in all of our residential sites.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all, visits must be scheduled in advance to ensure we have adequate protections in place and continue to limit virus exposure to the residents.

The following must be followed when looking to visit a family member who resides in one of our group homes:

Hours of visitation will be between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM and the visit must be scheduled with the Residence Manager or designated staff at the residential location. These hours will be in place until we have a better understanding of what day services will look like in the future. Hours will be adjusted accordingly when the status of day services is updated.

If having difficulty reaching the residence, please call the Administrator on Duty at 315-778-4878 for assistance.

Only one family may visit at any time and no more than two visitors from that family group, with all being above the age of 18. Visits by different family members will be spread out to ensure we have the opportunity to sanitize and disinfectant the area prior to the next visit and to abide by social distancing.

To ensure we have adequate time for family members, we must limit visits to one hour unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as visitation from outside the county. The length of time for the visit may be altered based on number of requests or other unforeseen issues.

Depending on staffing or other issues at the location, such as behavioral or medical issues, the visits may have to be cancelled or rescheduled. We will make a concerted effort to enable visits to continue, but the needs of those who reside at the location will take precedence.

All residents will be notified of a visitor prior to coming to the site. Training and support will be provided to limit exposure to the visitors and to maintain social distancing.

Visitors are required to enter the main entrance of the home.

All visitors must undergo symptom and temperature checks by facility staff at the main entrance prior to the start of the visit. Anyone reporting COVID-19 exposure, symptoms during the prior 14 days, or having a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit shall be denied visitation.

Visitors will be required to properly wear a face mask during the visit when social distancing cannot be maintained. Refusal to wear a mask when social distancing cannot be maintained will result in the visitor not being allowed visitation. Visitors must bring their own mask.

Visitors will be asked to use hand sanitizer on arrival and promote hand washing or sanitizer use during the visit.

We encourage visits to take place outside when possible with masks worn when social distancing cannot be maintained. Visitations inside the residence will occur in a designated area in the house such as the bedroom, kitchen, dining or other area to limit exposure to other residents, promote social distancing and assist us in sanitizing the area after visits. We ask that you stay in those designated areas during the visit.

Regulations state that visitation may only occur on at the residence and shall not include sitting in a non-agency vehicle or leaving the site.

Visitation will not occur with any site or individual that has someone in quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 or isolation as a result of COVID-19. We will notify the family member of such when they call for a visit.

Failure to abide by this guidance could result in restricting future visits.

Capital Campaign

JRC Foundation has announced its first ever capital campaign to assist Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence with a major transformation of its main services building on Gaffney Drive.

We invite you to be a part of this sweeping upgrade to JRC, which will improve the lives of so many in our community.

Please join us in supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by making your contribution today.

YOU can help us make this vital renovation a reality.

For more information CLICK HERE or contact the JRC Foundation at 315-836-1364.

Please visit Facebook @jrcfoundationinc.

UPDATE FROM CEO, HOWARD GANTER, ON PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND SAFETY IN REGARDS TO COVID-19

In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has directed all providers to temporarily suspend operations of site-based day programs beginning March 17, at 5:00 p.m. At The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence, these closures include our Day Habilitation sites and Prevocational programs. Additionally, in Jefferson County we have closed our preschool program until April 20, 2020; when we will reevaluate and follow the guidance of the State Education Department.

THE ARC JEFFERSON – ST. LAWRENCE AWARDED GRANTS FROM NYSARC TRUST SERVICES

--To support guardianship and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence, (www.thearcjslc.org), a not-for-profit organization supporting people with disabilities in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, has been awarded $72, 500 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence’s guardianship and recreation programs.

THE ARC JEFFERSON – ST. LAWRENCE RECOGNIZES STAFF FOR SERVICE LONGEVITY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence’s (www.thearcjslc.org), Board of Directors and management team recognized staff members celebrating a milestone for longevity in service during 2019 at a recent awards dinner.

SDH - Martin Luther King Day with Clarkson Students

Saturday, January 25, 2020

United States

Canton – 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Ogdensburg – 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Bring your suit & a towel & a favorite game if you have or make a Valentine’s craft.

Please contact Katelyn @ 705-7690, if you would like to go.

SDH - Bowling, Shopping & Lunch

Saturday, January 11, 2020

United States

Canton – 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Ogdensburg – 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please bring money for lunch & to bowl you can bring your shoes or ball.

Please contact Katelyn @ 705-7690, if you would like to go.