LARC awarded funding for online, on-demand training

TORRINGTON — LARC has been awarded two grants, which will enable the agency to purchase software that is going to allow staff to complete required training online and on demand. Thomaston Savings Bank and Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation awarded a total of $3,000. The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation grant of $5,000 was made possible by the Robert Venn Carr, Jr. Fund and the Northwest Philanthropy Fund/Betsy Krebs, funds of the Foundation.

This online training has become essential with staff working remotely and periodically quarantined as it will resolve some of the barriers to training caused by the pandemic. All new staff must complete training before starting work. This has been delayed due to staff quarantining as well as maximum capacity requirements that restrict the number of staff allowed onsite at a time. The size of group training for new hires has been reduced per session, resulting in higher costs spread out over longer durations, which is not cost effective for the agency. As a provider of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, LARC is required to have staff complete a variety of training class annually. With the new software, staff can complete the training classes online. Also, instructors won’t have to teach the same training numerous times throughout the year.

“This support is greatly appreciated as it will enable LARC employees to complete required training, even during a pandemic,” noted Michael Menard, Executive Director of LARC. “We are so very fortunate to have the support of such esteemed partners as the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation as well as Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation and Thomaston Savings Bank.”