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 ARISE Oswego Newsletter — February 2012

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Oswego County Edition
Oswego County Director: Sabine Ingerson

 WHAT’S INSIDE:

Our mission is to work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.

The Importance of Camp in Child Development


Did you attend camp as a child? Do you have fond memories of making friends and trying things you never thought you could? Children with disabilities should have access to the same opportunities as all other children.

ARISE staff members have seen the tremendous impact that day camp has on children who attend. Though kids are usually a little apprehensive when boarding the bus the first day, by the second they are ready to meet up with their new friends. Last year, all the campers at ARISE at the Farm had the opportunity to try out the high ropes course. It was scary at first, but those who were brave enough to try it felt a great sense of accomplishment for overcoming their fears.

According to a study by the American Camp Association, summer camp benefits children in many ways, including:

  • Developing more social skills that help them make new friends
  • Growing more independent
  • Becoming more adventurous and willing to try new things

The study also concluded that as little as one week of camp can be enough to show benefits.

Children are spending less time outdoors and more time playing electronic games or organized sports. They are benefitting less from nature-based experiences, which have proven to reduce stress and improve moods.

Teens are hard-wired to take risks as they assert their independence. A study funded by SADD and Liberty Mutual Group showed the benefits of creating meaningful opportunities and positive risk-taking. Negative risk-taking decreases and the developmentally-driven desire for new experiences and self-discovery is satisfied.

Camp provides the opportunity for children to be who they really are. I asked one of the campers why he liked Farm Camp. He replied, "I feel free." For the first time in his life, he could explore the outdoors without feeling restricted or fearing for his safety.

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Family Education and Training


There will be a Family Education and Training on IEPs on February 6, 2012 from 9:15am to 11:15am at the Oswego Office. Please register with Vicki Affinati at 342-4088 ext. 225 or email vaffinati@ariseinc.org. You can also let your MSC know to get you signed up.

There will be a Family Education and Training on Transition on February 13th from 1 pm to 3 pm in the Fulton Library. Please register with Vicki Affinati at 342-4088 ext. 225 or email
vaffinati@ariseinc.org. You can also let your MSC know to get you signed up.

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ARISE Welcomes...

ARISE would like to welcome our new intern Christie Foster! Christie is a senior at SUNY Oswego majoring in Human Development with a minor in communication and women studies. She is active on campus, a current member of the leadership mentor program, women studies board, and new member educator for Alpha Epsilon Phi.

Christie is currently planning a formal dance for ARISE young adult consumers ages 18 to 30. She is using her campus connections to help fundraise and organize the event. She would like the event to integrate ARISE, the campus, and the Oswego community. Christie is very excited to be working with us until her graduation in May 2012.

Welcome Christie!

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Challenger Division Baseball League Sign Up

The Challenger Division is for players ages 5 to 21 who live in Oswego County. The modified rules make the game challenging but not discouraging. The games consist of 3 innings and everyone gets a chance to bat. Games are held Friday evenings at 6 p.m. during the months of June and July at the Harry Lagoe Field at Fort Ontario.

Sign-up will be at the annual Oswego Little League Spaghetti Dinner on February 16th at the Oswego Elk's Lodge from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. or by contacting the division coordinator if you cannot make it to the dinner. The Challenger Division coordinator is Scott Clawson, 343-9456 or email at sclawso1@twcny.rr.com.

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Habilitation Department News


Community Integration Specialist (CIS) Spotlight

The Habilitation Department would like to acknowledge the work CIS Cynthia Storto is doing with one of her consumers. Cynthia has created behavior charts and a visual schedule to assist her consumer. This consumer is now able to independently tie his shoes. The family has nothing but great things to say about Cynthia. Way to go!

A Revitalized Activity Room
Thank you to our Field Team Anna Krzykowski, Teresa LaMond & Susan Kinney for organizing theActivity Room. There is now a table where consumers can sit and work on reading or writing skills. Clearing out the clutter also greatly increased floor space for activities. Thank you to Danielle Sperino for recreating some of her chart tools and making sight words to place in the activity room.

Updates will be made with the resources for allowable services. The Wii is now located in the large conference room with the XBOX. Please call ahead to Danielle at the front desk to ensure the room is available and ask her to sign it out for you. Stop in and check out the changes!

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MSC Tidbits

Important phone numbers to remember:

Department of Social Services: 963-5000

Family, Youth and Adult Services (Oswego County DSS): 963-5445 or 963-5446

Adult Services (Oswego County DSS): 963-5339

Social Security Administration: 1-866-964-7593

National Grid Electricity Emergency: 1-800-867-5222

National Grid Gas Emergency: 1-800-892-2345

American Red Cross: 343-0967

Domestic Violence Hotline (SAF): 342-1600

NYS Domestic Violence English toll free line : 1-800-942-6906

NYS Domestic Violence Spanish toll free line : 1-800-942-6908

NYS Domestic Violence TTY line: 1-800-818-0656

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

MSC After Hours Emergency: 741-2542

New York Start Park Passes

It may be cold outside, but now is the time to check your New York State Park pass to make sure that it has not expired, or will not be expiring soon. If it has expired, or it will expire soon, let your MSC know so you can get assistance in completing a new application.

Summer Camps

Now is the time to start thinking about where and when you or your child would like to attend summer camp! Talk to your MSC for further information.

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