Services Overview
ARISE
An Independent Living Center by and for people with disabilities.
WHO WE ARE
ARISE is a non-profit, non-residential, community-based Center for Independent Living that was founded in 1979 to address the needs of people with disabilities and their families. The agency acts as a catalyst for community change by promoting the social, educational, economic, and individual interests of people with disabilities.
ARISE works with people of all ages with all types of disabilities, their families, and the community.
Our Mission
To work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.
ARISE LOCATIONS
Onondaga County |
Oswego County |
Pulaski |
Madison County |
ARISE at the Farm |
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Services Offered
Advocacy
- Benefits Advocacy: Helps people with disabilities apply for and maintain benefits such as Medicaid, public assistance, Social Security Benefits (SSI and SSDI), food stamps, Section 8 vouchers, HEAP, and Supplemental Needs Trust. Lisa Spina in Syracuse (671-2925); Jim Cronk in Oswego (342-4088 ext. 211)
- Education Advocacy: Support, technical assistance, and self-advocacy training helps ensure students with disabilities receive an appropriate education in the least restricted environment. Mike Mazzaroppi in Syracuse (671-2926); Jim Cronk in Oswego (342-4088 ext. 211)
- Health Care Advocacy: Helps people with disabilities understand their health care rights and helps people transition from nursing homes to community living by finding housing options and connections to home care and other community resources. Kara VanderVeer in Syracuse (671-2928)
- Housing Advocacy, Information, and Referrals: Helps people with disabilities locate affordable, accessible housing; and provides referrals to community resources. Missy Carr for Onondaga County residents outside of the City of Syracuse (671-2996); Gail Berlin for City of Syracuse residents (671-2924); Melissa Reeves in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 207)
- Public Accommodation Assistance: Promotes accessible environments by offering information and education to businesses and public entities to improve accessibility. Beata Karpinska-Prehn in Syracuse (671-2929) Jim Cronk in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 211)
- Systems Advocacy: Assists people with disabilities in advocating for their individual rights, and works to overcome “systems” or institutional barriers to individual freedoms. Beata Karpinska-Prehn in Syracuse (671-2929); Jim Karasek in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 206)
Breast Health Awareness (funded by Central New York Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure)
Provides information about the importance of breast health for people with and without disabilities and maintains a list of accessible mammography facilities. Toni McEniry (671-2991).
Consumer-Directed Programs
- Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP): Provides the opportunity for Medicaid-eligible individuals with disabilities who need home health care to hire, train, and schedule their own assistants. Lorie Newcombe in Syracuse (671-2990); Cheryl Arnold in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 214)
- Community Living Program: A variant of CDPAP for seniors and veterans which also allows access to non-traditional programs such as transportation, home modifications, and medical or non-medical equipment and services. (funded by the Onondaga County Office of Aging and Youth and the NYS Office for the Aging) Lorie Newcombe in OnondagaCounty (671-2990)
Day Habilitation Programs
- Group Day Habilitation (site based) – Syracuse: helps people with developmental disabilities develop, improve, or maintain their independent living skills. Christine Ciron in Syracuse (671-2638)
- Individual Day Habilitation (non-site based) – Onondaga, Madison, & Oswego Counties: helps people with developmental disabilities develop, improve, or maintain their independent living skills. It can have a more flexible schedule, and activities take place in the home and community. Peter Green in Syracuse (671-2986); Lee Sperino in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 224); Ellen Englert in Oneida (363-4672, ext. 224)
Employment Services
- Direct Placement: Employment Consultants help people with disabilities find employment. Lori Mokry in Onondaga, Oswego, and MadisonCounties (671-2969)
- Supported Employment: Employment Consultants help people identify work goals, and seek and maintain employment. Darlene Klock in OnondagaCounty (671-3083), MadisonCounty (363-4672) or OswegoCounty (342-4088, ext. 212)
- Enhanced Supported Employment: More intensive supported employment over a longer period of time. Lori Mokry in OnondagaCounty (671-2969)
- Work Incentives Coordination (benefits advisement): Information and guidance on returning to the workforce and the impact this has on Social Security benefits (SSI and SSDI). Jeremiah Fish in Syracuse (671-3081)
- VESID Entry Services: Orientation sessions and assistance gathering information for individuals with disabilities to complete applications for VESID (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities). Lori Mokry in OnondagaCounty (671-2969)
High School Transition Services
For youth with developmental disabilities in Oswego City, Mexico, or Central Square Schools. Explore career and educational goals; increase independent living skills. Vicki Affinati in Central Square (668-4231, ext. 2108); Kelly Howard in Oswego (341-2200, ext. 2279)
Home Access Program (HAP)
Provides income-eligible Syracuse City or Oswego County residents who have mobility impairments with home access ramps to increase accessibility and independence. Marian Miller in Syracuse (671-2908); Melissa Reeves in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 207)
Independent Living Skills
Training that increases the skills needed to live independently. Lisa Spina in Syracuse (671-2925); Jim Cronk in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 211)
Information & Referral Services
Information (including accessible resource directories) and referrals to help individuals access support that promotes living independently in the community. Sonya Simmons in Syracuse (671-2968); Jim Cronk in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 211)
Integrated Recreation
ARISE at the Farm offers a variety of recreation programs, including fishing from an accessible dock overlooking our stocked pond, adaptive cycling, adaptive and therapeutic horseback riding, adaptive downhill skiing at Toggenburg, horsemanship camps, summer day camps for all ages, school break recreation programs, and field trips for local schools. ARISE at the Farm has trained staff to accommodate nearly every ability level. Laura Little (687-6727)
Medicaid Service Coordination
Helps individuals with developmental disabilities access community supports, with a focus on setting and achieving personal goals. Karen Santy in Onondaga and MadisonCounties (671-2970); Pete Williams in Oswego (342-4088, ext 202)
Mental Health Clinic Services - Adults and Children
For Mental Health Clinic Services Contact Eleanor Michaels in Syracuse (671-2955)
- Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS): Serves families involved in child abuse and neglect situations with Child Protective Services.
- Domestic Violence: Provides counseling services to victims of domestic violence. Individual therapy and a variety of educational and treatment groups for adults and children.
- Outpatient Mental Health Clinic for Children and Adults: Offers individual, family, and group therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management.
- School Based Mental Health Program: Satellite clinics at Bellevue Middle School Academy, Dr. King and Dr. Weeks Elementary Schools (Syracuse City Schools) and Grimshaw Elementary (Lafayette Schools), provide prevention and treatment assistance for children experiencing serious emotional disturbance and chronic psychosocial issues.
Peer Counseling
Discuss concerns relevant to people with disabilities; identify goals and developing strategies to reach them. Rich Wood in Syracuse (671-2927); Jim Cronk in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 211)
Regional Resource Development Centers (RRDC)
Operated in an eight-county area, with the goal of improving quality of life. Molly Goodwin in Syracuse (671-2980)
- For Persons with Brain Injuries: Coordinates services for individuals with brain injuries wishing to move out of or avoid entering a nursing home.
- Nursing Home Transition & Diversion Waiver Program: Coordinates services for persons with disabilities or who are over 65 wishing to move out of or avoid entering a nursing home.
Residential Habilitation
Person-centered approach to helping people increase their independent living skills and community involvement. Services begin, take place, or end in the consumer’s home. An option is available for individuals who are able and want to directly recruit, hire, and train their Residential Habilitation staff. Peter Green in Syracuse (671-2986); Lee Sperino in Oswego (342-4088, ext. 224); Ellen Englert in Oneida (363-4672, ext. 224)
Respite Programs
- After-School Respite - Madison & Onondaga Counties: Provides activities to encourage physical and social development for children with developmental disabilities, and gives parents and caregivers a break to work, run errands, or relax. Richelle Maki (687-9185)
- In-Home Respite - Oswego County: Provides supervision and activities for individuals with developmental disabilities, and gives parents and caregivers a break to have an evening out, or relax. Kathy Mahar in Pulaski (298-5726, ext. 204)
Advocacy, Support & Therapeutic Groups
ARISE facilitates a variety of groups – some for youth and others for adults – for people of all abilities. Depending on your interests, you can participate in groups that focus on:
Advocacy: works to remove barriers prevent people with disabilities from fully integrating in the community. Groups focus on specific issues and work together to advocate for change.
Social: provide opportunities for socialization, fun, and recreation in a supportive environment.
Support: information and support relevant to a person’s needs and circumstances.
Therapeutic: offered through ARISE’s Mental Health Clinic – provide support and assistance in developing new coping skills that enhance quality of life.
To learn more, please contact our office nearest to you, or visit www.ariseinc.org and view our online calendar.