Helping people with disabilities find jobs

Vocational programs at LARC get pilot grant

TORRIGTON — Finding a minimum wage job can be a difficult process for individuals with disabilities.

But vocational programs at the ARC of Litchfield County, or LARC, are starting to remove that barrier through a pilot grant supported by Boston University.

LARC was one of only 10 agencies in the country to receive the funding, said Mary Ellen Kunz, LARC’s Director of Development and Marketing.

The grant helps LARC begin to transform its services from a sheltered workshop model to one of competitive, integrated employment.

“The relationship is beneficial for both parties,” said Tom Stanton, director of Vocational and Day services, who has worked at the agency for more than 30 years. “The individuals (from LARC) have risen to a level that is impressive to us.”

One of the individuals who has moved into a competitive, direct-hire job is Natasha Cole, 41, of Torrington. She began working at Wisdom House in Litchfield in September.

“It’s the first time we’ve hired an individual from LARC,” said Wisdom House Executive Director Deborah Kelly. “It’s a perfect fit. She’s amazing and takes great pride in what she does.”

Job placement for integrated employment is coordinated by Debra Aleksinas, Community Development Facilitator. “We see if there is an individual who has an interest and fits the description of the job,” she said.

“Employers were very receptive last year. We had 12 employers who did direct hires (from LARC),” Aleksinas said.

In addition to Wisdom House, Aleksinas noted that Seitz LLC on Industrial Lane is also an example of a successful partnership. “They were willing to create split job shifts. They were creative and open minded,” she said.

Cole is supported in her part-time job by several LARC staff members and a case worker from the state Department of Developmental Services.

On-site support for Cole is provided by Celeste Turner, LARC’S Employment Specialist, Competitive Placement.

“Celeste is my job coach,” Cole said. “She helps me being organized and staying focused.”

Cole works four hours a day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“I am a housekeeper. I clean and dust. I have two co-workers and I like them,” Cole said. She is particularly glad that her paycheck isn’t deposited directly into her bank account, as it was at a previous job, but is handed to her each payday.

Cole was born in London and moved to Connecticut with her parents when she was seven. They live in West Cornwall, where Cole visits each weekend.

Asked about her free-time activities,

Cole said she’s involved with Special Olympics.

“I won two gold medals in (cross-country) skiing,” she said. “I went to Austria.”

LARC’s competitive employment program has been facilitated since last January by the Provider Transformation Network in partnership with the national ARC organization. In the last year, executives from the national network said LARC has made significant progress.

“LARC is placing strong

emphasis on connecting with the business community and being responsive to the needs of local businesses,” said David Hoff, the national program director, said in a statement.

“The end result is that more individuals from LARC are employed in the community, and more individuals are expressing interest in working” in the region, Hoff said. The agency has “a good basis to build on in terms of of expanding community involvement.”

That involvement can be measured by the number of area businesses who have

hired individuals from LARC. They are: Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe, Camp Jewell YMCA in Colebrook, Dymax Corporation, Stop & Shop in Winsted, and Sterling Sintered Technologies in Winsted.

For information about the competitive integrated employment program, contact Stanton at 860-482-9364, ext. 41. Other services provided by LARC can be found on their website.

“LARC is placing strong emphasis on connecting with the business community and being responsive to the needs of local businesses.” David Hoff, national program director for ARC of Litchfield County

Contributed photo Natasha Cole, of Torrington, used a time clock for the first time at her job at Wisdom House in Litchfield.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Tom Stanton, director of vocational and day services at LARC, leads the competitive integrated employment program, which has placed about 30 individuals at local businesses.