Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

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Regina Moore
Marketing Manager
phone: (914) 428-8330,
ext. 3117
fax: (914) 997-2985
or (914) 428-0322
rmoore@westchesterarc.org

Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org

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Press Release

Westchester Arc Charts Bold Plan to Include People
with Disabilities in Community Life

New Name, Logo and Slogan Signal Evolving Mission

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, June 15, 2005 — Thomas A. Maul, commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), told attendees of Westchester Arc’s 56th annual meeting that society is “entering the age of opportunity and enlightenment” concerning people with disabilities. Speaking on June 7 at the Crowne Plaza, White Plains, he pointed out that “together we have come a long, long way. Together, let’s build a better tomorrow.” Westchester Arc is the largest agency in the county serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Commissioner Maul first spoke to a meeting of “self-advocates,” individuals with developmental disabilities who actively pursue improved opportunities for themselves and others. Describing a woman whom he met when she was living in a large, anonymous institution, he noted that “now she is married and has her own home.” He then encouraged audience members to take charge of their lives, demand their rights and have the “determination to succeed.”

Carolyn Holodak, the self-advocate chairing the session, discussed some of the group’s goals, which include receiving more respectful treatment from society, creating opportunities for people with disabilities to develop their talents and working in the community.

Westchester Arc’s Strategic Plan

Westchester Arc President Mohan Mehra and Executive Director Ric Swierat unveiled the agency’s ambitious three-year strategic plan, reflecting a mission that has evolved in response to changing demographics and raised expectations. In answer to deepening desires for community inclusion, Westchester Arc will redefine its services as “bridges to the community.” The goal is for children and adults with disabilities to learn, work, socialize and live alongside the general population, in accordance with personal choice and capabilities.

To meet the increasingly diverse needs of people with disabilities, greater emphasis will be placed on services tailored to the individual. Westchester Arc also plans to enhance its support to the Hispanic community, which represents the fastest growing ethnic group in the county.

New Name, Logo, Tagline

To signal Westchester Arc’s evolving mission, the agency announced changes to its name, logo and tagline. As Westchester “Arc” rather than Westchester “ARC,” the name can no longer be misinterpreted as an acronym. “Arc” refers to bridging gaps and building supportive connections between people with developmental disabilities and the community.

Westchester Arc’s new logo, above, conveys the theme of “reaching for opportunities and journeying to a wider world.” The new tagline, “Envision Opportunities, Explore Choices,” refers to the agency’s commitment to person-centered planning and customized services. The tagline also invites the greater community to enrich itself by embracing people with disabilities as students, employees and neighbors.

Recognizing Public Service

Westchester Arc presented a number of awards recognizing outstanding service to people with developmental disabilities.

Senator Nicholas Spano (R-Westchester) and OMRDD Commissioner Thomas A. Maul were cited for their contributions to public policy. Senator Spano championed legislation that replaced outmoded institutions with community-based residential care. He has also been steadfast in his support of funding for the Westchester Institute for Human Development, which provides clinical and research support for people with developmental disabilities.

Commissioner Maul, known as the “advocate of advocates,” has created an expectation in New York that people with developmental disabilities will play a leadership role in the creation of public policy. He has been instrumental in obtaining funds to support programs for individuals with disabilities, notably for the New York State CARES initiative, which has substantially reduced the statewide waiting list for residential opportunities.

Milton G. Sincoff, Mamaroneck, received the Katzenberg Award for his longtime support of people with developmental disabilities. He served on Westchester Arc’s board of directors for nearly 20 years. Eglon and Renee Simons, Chappaqua, won the Family Partners Award for their role as advocates and fundraisers. The Journal News received the Media Award for Awareness Leadership for sensitive and insightful coverage of issues relating to people with developmental disabilities.

Family Workshops

Workshops on residential opportunities, financial planning and services for school-aged children were also held.

“There has been great progress in community acceptance for our residences,” declared Larry Rufo, a director of residential services for the agency. “Our residential staff are more than ‘just’ caregivers. We’re teachers and advocates helping individuals with disabilities achieve their dreams.”

A session on financial planning focused on supplemental needs trusts, which enable families to set aside funds to support vacations, music lessons and similar life-enhancing activities.

A third workshop featured families discussing how they had worked with their school districts to develop educational plans for their own children after graduation from pre-school. The public supports change radically between pre-school and kindergarten, often causing great confusion. “You are your child’s best advocate. Don’t ask for the best program in your school system, ask for the most appropriate one for your child,” advised Leslie Jeris, former PTA president for The Children’s School for Early Development and currently a Westchester Arc board member.

Election of Officers

Attendees also elected members of the board of directors. Mohan Mehra, Cortlandt Manor, was re-elected president. Also named were Timothy B. Sullivan, MD, Harrison, first vice president; Susan Walker, Scarsdale, second vice president; Anne M. Majsak, White Plains, treasurer, and Sarah E. Phelan, Esq., Hawthorne, secretary. (See below for a complete list of elected officers, including board and committee members.)

Westchester ARC, established over 50 years ago, is a family-focused agency offering opportunities to individuals with disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. The agency is funded through both public and private means.

Elected board members and committee members

Mohan Mehra, Cortlandt Manor, president

Timothy Sullivan, MD, Harrison, first vice president

Susan Walker, Scarsdale, second vice president

Ann M. Majsak, White Plains, treasurer

Sarah E. Phelan, Esq., Hawthorne, secretary

Katharine W. Conroy, Esq., New Rochelle, board member

Mark S. Glucksman, White Plains, board member

Carolyn Ann Holodak, Yonkers, board member

Kristie Paladino, North Salem, board member

Rita Ross, Chappaqua, board member

Laura Scolaro, Crestwood, board member

Morton Steinberg, DDS, Scarsdale, board member

Mari H. Yuro, Ossining, board member

Janet Longo Abinanti, White Plains, nominating committee member

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