When you really think about it The Arc of Butte County has always believed in being "Green"... even before it was popular.

 

The Arc's popular Thrift Store has lived by the green philosophy for many years. "By accepting donations from the community and reselling them back to bargain hunters we help reduce waste and recycle perfectly good second hand items," shares store manager, Brenda Easter. 

 

To expand on this sustainability philosophy the Arc of Butte County installed solar panels on top of the Park Tower Pavilion on Park Avenue last year.

 

"It was the next logical step," explains Michael McGinnis, Arc Executive Director, "Having those solar panels will reduce the Arc's dependence on utilities and in a few years we'll start seeing a return on our investment. It's just makes sense."

 

 

 

One of the services that the Arc of Butte County provides for our families is translations and interpretations. There are approximately 100 families who do not speak English or speak limited English as a second language. Far

NorthernRegionalCenter provides funds to cover the expense of providing translators to assist these families as they receive services for their developmentally disabled family member. In many instances, the translator will also provide transportation for the family as well.

 

Arc has an active staff of bilingual translators. Most work primarily in other programs and provide translation services as needed in Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language. They work with medical doctors and dentists, speech and language therapists, as well as audiologists, and physical, behavioral, occupational therapists as well as Nutritionists and the Parent Infant Program. Medical translations take place from Redding to Sacramento, and even as far as the Bay Area. In Sacramento we work at Shriner's Hospital, SutterMemorialHospital, UC Davis Medical Center and The M.I.N.D. Institute. We occasionally send translators to the Oakland Children's Hospital and to the USFMedicalCenter in San Francisco.

 

Our translators also assist families with the translation of documents such as reports, evaluations, applications, and official letters. This assistance is invaluable for all families who receive public agency support and services.

 

In order to work in Arc's Translation Program, individuals must demonstrate fluency in English and a second language, have good verbal and written skills, demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of the people and families whom we serve, and demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences and perceptions.

 

Arc's translators must demonstrate professionalism and integrity, and are required to practice the "Standardized Interpreting Protocols of Healthcare Interpreters" and to abide by the "Ethical Principles for Healthcare Interpreters."  It is the goal of each translator to support each family's well-being and to promote the family / service-provider relationship in order to maximize and improve the family's access to services.

 

Cultural differences and perspectives also have a fundamental impact on the effectiveness of the communication that takes place.  Translators play a critical role in identifying cultural issues and considerations, and they must respond appropriately and with sensitivity in conveying the cultural context of each message.

 

Marion Jackson, a bilingual instructor in Arc's Day Program, also provides our Spanish families with a contact person during business hours. Marion schedules translation assignments and communicates with the families, their professional service providers, and our translators. She fills requests from regional center service coordinators and follows up on scheduled appointments, and responds to requests and concerns from families. To reach the Translations Dept, please, call 891.5865

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Support staff member, Anita (tigger), had a great time with the ROKC & OKC kids making decorations and sharing costumes at their halloween party!

 

    

 

 

A festive group of Socialization & Recreation clients and instructors spent their Halloween party going bowling!

 

 

There will be extra Soc/Rec activities planned for the month of December so, please, double check the calendar at the bottom of this newsletter.

 

Call Hollie at 891.5865 ext # 110 if you want to join in the fun or if you have any questions.

 

 

The Recreation/Therapy program provided a fun thanksgiving cooking class on November 26. There was an eager and exciting group of Holiday revelers who got together to enjoy Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and brownies. Everyone enjoyed getting together with the group and telling their friends about their holiday.

Anyone interested in attending RT Craft or Cooking classes, please call Colleen at Extension 116 or Hollie at Extension 110.

 

'Tis the season of giving. The Arc has abopted both a Solider and a Family in Need for the holidays. If you are interested in donating food and/or gifts, please, contact Bonnie or Patti at 891.5865 soon.

 

 

 

We all want to wish you a happy and joyous holiday season ... including this jolly bunch from ILP.

Clockwise: Colleen, Bonnie, Hollie, Peter and Patti.

 

 

 

 

Soc/Rec Chico Bowling Night @ 4pm Every Wednesday

 

Soc/Rec Oroville Bowling Night @ 4pm Every Friday

 

Soc/Rec Cooking with HollieThursday 6th @ 4pm

 

Family Support ROKC & OKC Holiday Craft Faire

Saturday 8th @ 10am (call Elizabeth)

 

RT Crafts Class with Colleen Monday 10th @ 4pm

 

 

Soc/Rec Bird Watching with Hollie Friday 14th @ 3:30pm

 

Family Support ROKC Gift Making Saturday 15th @ 10am

 

Family Support OKC Gift Shopping for a Child Need 

Saturday 15th @ 10am

 

Arc Staff Holiday Party Monday 17th @ 5:30pm

 

Family Support "Spanish Group" Tuesday 18th @ 6pm

 

Special RT & Soc/Rec Field Trip to Hometown Buffet

Wednesday 19th @ 5pm (call Hollie or Colleen)

 

Special RT & Soc/Rec Field Trip to the Bidwell Mansion

Thursday 20th @ 1:30pm (call Hollie)

 

Family Support ROKC & OKC Holiday Party

Saturday 22nd @ 10am Clients and families welcome

 

RT Cooking Class with Colleen Thursday 27th @ 4pm

 

Adult Day Program: Every week "Movie Tuesdays"

 

Adult Day Program: Every week "Fun Fridays"

 

Adult Day Program:

 

First Aid Class @ 1:30pm Tuesday 11th (see Tom)

 

CPR Class @ 1:30pm Thursday 13th (see Tom)

 

 

Executive Director Michael McGinnis ext # 102

Human Resources Gail Brown ext # 103

Office Manager Jennifer White ext # 113

Administrative Assistant Lynn Wagner ext # 206

Resource Developer Leah T. McKean ext # 203