LARC funding will pay for iPads, job coaching

TORRINGTON — The Arc of Litchfield County, or LARC, has been awarded a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation to fund the acquisition of 20 iPads to equip job coaches who support individuals working in the agency’s Vocational Program, according to a statement.

“This grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation will greatly improve the documentation and reporting required of the coaches,” said Michael Menard, executive director of LARC. “Equipping the Vocational team with iPads will make the required documentation and reporting they do more streamlined, timely, and accessible.”

LARC’s job coaches support the individuals in a variety of ways, depending on level of need, at worksites located throughout Litchfield County.

With a significant amount of documentation required for each individual in the vocational program, staff input information into their mobile devices on site as well as on the road, according to LARC. They also do service planning, monitoring and goal/ outcome tracking as well as critical incident reporting and management. Additionally, staff rely on mobile devices to maintain records on transportation, mileage, and time management. Though laptops are now used by most of the staff, iPads have proved to be the equipment of choice by those who currently use them. They are easy to carry, access, and use. Many of the new iPads will replace outdated units and be allocated to new users as they are onboarded.

“This will make a tremendous difference to job coaches,” said David Chamberlain, Vocational manager. “We are so grateful to the Connecticut Community Foundation for funding the purchase of these essential tools.”

LARC is a nonprofit agency in Northwest Connecticut founded in 1964 by families to support loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guided by a vision of Community for All, LARC promotes individual empowerment, choice, respect, and dignity. LARC serves approximately 200 individuals with disabilities throughout Northwest Connecticut. Services include residential group homes, in-home supports, transportation, day and employment programs. LARC’s Social Enrichment program provides critical respite and recreational opportunities such as group outings, social gatherings, and Special Olympics. LARC’s Camp MOE program provides a day camp setting for children to develop friendships, leadership skills, responsibility for self, and respect for others.