OPARC is strong at work during this pandemic supporting the individuals we serve by providing support services in a variety of creative ways during the shelter at home orders. Serving approximately 900 adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders (I/DD ) each year, OPARC continues to offer essential services.
OPARC would like to highlight not only how our amazing staff is responding to this crisis, but bring awareness to the amount of support and training it takes from a broad range of professionals to assist adults with disabilities so they can lead their best lives.
OPARC employs a staff of Direct Support Professionals, Behavior Support Professionals, Job Coaches, Community Coaches, Line Staff, Program Managers and Assistant Program Managers, Case Managers, Maintenance Technicians, Therapists, Psych Techs, Nurses, Secretaries, and Transportation Teams; they are truly the Heart of OPARC.
Thank you to all the direct support professionals (DSP’s) out there for your hard work, advocacy, and commitment to adults with disabilities to ensure they feel supported during this time of uncertainty.
Here are a Few Story Highlights from Behind The Scenes . . .
Social Distance Drop – Off
Direct Support Professional, Diane, made a social distance stop to individual Susan’s home. During a conversation with Susan over the phone, Susan mentioned she wanted to make healthy choices like OPARC encouraged through their Healthy Living Program. Diane took the initiative and picked up healthy items which included; fruit, healthy snacks, and ingredients to make a salad. Susan also enjoys arts and crafts, so a basket was filled with coloring books and art supplies.
As you can see in the photo….Susan was very happy and loved the items!
Video Training
We have been using zoom and FaceTime to connect and train, in groups and individually.
Ashley, an individual we serve, expressed that she wanted to learn how to build a box, since this skill will help her when she returns to OPARC. Jakie, Case Manager, arranged to watch an instructional video together over zoom. Jakie was able to pause and answer any questions Ashley had during the video, and Ashely will be able to apply this new skill when we all return to our sites!
On the right…James is so happy on his daily calls with his Behavioral Support Professional, Casey!
Picture Recipe Cards and Healthy Living
To continue teaching life skills, cooking, and healthy living remotely, our cooks are submitting a picture recipe every week that is easy to follow with pictures of ingredients and measurements on the front, and detailed directions on the back.
DSP’s are working with their participants to identify foods, and are also filming cooking videos!
OPARC Cares
And then there is our Connect Team!
They have been dropping off care packages, art supplies, celebrating birthdays, and spreading joy!
Our Ontario staff purchased and dropped off lunches for our individuals and they were over joyed to connect with our staff in person, and of course, receive their lunches.
Social Media Posts
Please continue to follow us on social media to read about the “Stories from Home” that participants are sharing with us during their daily conversations with their support team.
In addition, we will be posting up to date news so you can keep up on everything OPARC is doing in preparation for the day we can all be at our sites again!
We are all in this together.
Consider A Donation
First established in 1950, OPARC offers trusted programs to individuals with I/DD.
OPARC postponed our Annual Gala, which is our largest yearly fundraiser. The money raised helps fill in the gap in the funding necessary to provide the level of support and programs to the individuals we serve. Please consider making a donation!
Thank you and please stay safe!
