Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elaine Orbino

August 7, 2006 410-879-6785

eorbino@arcncr.org

[ABERDEEN, MD] - STARS PROGRAM AT THE ARC NORTHERN CHESAPEAKE REGION PUTS BELIEFS INTO ACTION

Laurie Seubert believes that having a disability should not stand in the way of living a fulfilling and meaningful life. She believes that people with disabilities have something to contribute within their community and that gainful and meaningful employment is a possibility no matter what that person’s abilities or challenges may be. As part of the Stars Program for Direct Support Professionals at The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, Laurie puts these beliefs into action everyday.

Laurie is employed as a Job Coach by The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, an agency that supports 500 adults and children with developmental disabilities in Harford and Cecil Counties. In this position she supports individuals with disabilities in their place of employment by training the individual, the co-workers, and the employer on what is needed for all to be successful in the work place. This has been most evident within the past ten weeks, where Laurie has been working with a young woman who is blind to work on a factory line. Laurie has spent eight weeks working one on one with the young woman, the co-workers, and the employer to accomplish independence within the workplace. According to Laurie, she knew the goal was reached when the young woman, the co-workers, and the employer told Laurie that she could go home and that all would be fine. Well it has been two weeks without Laurie there everyday, and all is good- as Laurie stated, “Beyond good.”

Laurie feels that this success would have been difficult if it were not for the Stars Program. This program, created by The Arc, recognizes and rewards employees who are dedicated to being outstanding Direct Support Professionals for persons with disabilities. Laurie is the second person to complete the educational requirements and a portfolio of her work, which earned her a bonus. Laurie plans to continue in the program and she can earn additional bonuses each year. This program is also helping Laurie to pay her tuition as she pursues an AA Degree in Psychology.

When Laurie was asked what she would say to others who would be interested in this program, she said, “Go for it! It makes you feel better about yourself. It helps you to improve your skills in doing your job.”

The Arc offers a wide variety of services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Harford and Cecil County, both children and adults, to make informed choices in their lifestyles, vocations, education and recreational pursuits, and to assure stable and nurturing lives among their families and friends.

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