Welcome Class of 2014

     Hello, I am Lynnette Lockwood, the Associate Editor of Tor Echo, and I want to officially welcome you to Alfred State SUNY College of Technology. Alfred State is a wonderful place to learn, grow, find your true passion, and discover who you really are and what makes you truly happy. Make sure that you take full advantage of the opportunities offered here at Alfred. Get involved in clubs and organizations on campus and off campus. AU is across the street and they will accept Alfred State students with open arms. You are invited to participate in any club/organization AU has and any events. Alfred State students can take classes at AU for free as long as you take at least 12 credits and maintain a 2.0 GPA. We have over 90 clubs and organizations and I am sure you can find something that you want to do. Go out there make new friends, and talk to people. Have fun but don’t forget to study. One of the biggest challenges is finding a proper balance between clubs and study time. Burn out can occur and that is not healthy.

       Be wary of the freshman 15. It’s not a rumor; it’s 100% true. There are many food places around campus. The healthiest option and the most variety is the Terrace. Try to limit your contact to Friendly’s, Taco Bell, Evergreen, and 10 Elm. If you want to stay in shape and not gain as much weight, take walks around campus, use the Mind Spa, or join the health and wellness club.                     

       Everyone here at Alfred State is very welcoming and willing to help in any way. If you need help finding your way, feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask any upperclassman, faculty or staff for help. Savor your time here at Alfred State because it will fly by. Don’t just sit on the sidelines. You’re your experience memorable and leave behind your fingerprints on Alfred State.

Case Model 2 Vesid

                                                       

       Vocational rehabilitation started in the early 19th century. The Perkins Institute was the first to offer rehabilitation services in Boston in 1829.  The Institute cared for blind people that were trained to get jobs in the manufacturing industry. More programs were started towards the end of the century. The greatest need for vocational rehabilitation was after World War I, when many soldiers returned home disabled. The private institutes could not accommodate so many soldiers. The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 was passed which formed the Federal Board for the Vocational Education of Soldiers. In 1918 the Soldier Rehabilitation Act was created to offer vocational training to disabled veterans. In 1944, the Servicemen's Readjustment Act/ G.I. Bill was introduced, which provided vocational training programs to disabled veterans who returned from World War II (History of Vocational Rehabilitation).

      ACCES-VR, formerly known as VESID, is part of the New York State Education Department and works with students, families and school districts to coordinate appropriate services for students with disabilities who are graduating high school and entering adult vocational rehabilitation and related services. This is the crucial part of ACCES-VR; to enable students to achieve the maximum success in post-school activities such as employment, college, independent living, and community participation. Students will be referred to ACCES-VR when the school, student and parents mutually agree that the student's disability will interfere with their ability to work in the community. The services are based on the individual student’s needs, preferences, potential, abilities and interests. These activities include instruction, community experiences, and development of employment, living skills and functional vocational evaluation. The transition services include service planning and the applicant is teamed up with a counselor/case manager who contributes knowledge of rehabilitation services and outcomes; is the broker consultant, planner, and coordinator, while setting goals (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).

      If a candidate’s employment objective requires college training, ACCES-VR can provide tuition assistance, fees, books and required materials, partial room and board and related support for consumers who meet eligibility based on their economic need. ACCES-VR consumers must establish an individualized plan for employment (IPE) with an employment objective requiring college training to qualify for assistance. In all instances students and families must first access traditional financial aid such as the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), federal PELL grants and/or Veterans college aid prior to relying on ACCES-VR sponsorship. At virtually every college campus throughout New York State, there are disability related resources available to assist students with disabilities with full access and accommodations (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).

Another service offered by ACCES-VR is independent Living Centers which provide an array of services that assist clients to live fully integrated and self-directed lives. They assist with all aspects of living, learning and earning while providing a set of core services, which focus on promoting self-help, equal access, peer role modeling, personal growth, and empowerment. These services help meet the needs of the individual and the community. The core services are peer counseling, and independent living skills training which teaches life skills, budgeting, meal preparation, arranging transportation, personal assistance services, job seeking, and self-advocacy (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).

Individual and Systems Advocacy addresses access to equal opportunities in social, economic, educational, and legal rights. Other services include housing assistance, acquiring and maintaining appropriate benefits and entitlements, communication barrier consultation, learning how to use, repair, and maintain equipment, registering to vote, in-service training, workshops/seminars on disability issues, and disability laws (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).

ACCES-VR has a role-based case management model. Role-based case management focuses on the roles the case manager performs. The case manager is a broker. Role-based is an integrated care model. The goal is to meet all the needs of the client which includes intake interviews, data gathering, planning, linking the client to services, coordinating and delivering services, referral, and evaluation (Woodside, McClam, 2013).

What appeals to me about this program is that the case manager assumes many roles, the eligibility is clear, and when people refer to the organization I understand the services that the organization offers. I like the close relationship that they build with the client. What I do not like about this program is they are limited to the services they provide and the client must seek other organizations to receive additional help in areas that they may need. I can see myself working for this organization. I recognize the significance of being a case manager and assisting others to problem solve their situations and I can see myself being a case manager. The multicultural case management issues this organization faces are dealing with various types of disabilities and coordinating with other agencies to provide services that their client may need.

The Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) is a very good organization that helps people with disabilities gain access to employment and independent living services.

 Works Cited

ACCES-VR. (n.d.). Vocational Rehabilitation:VR. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr/

History of Vocational Rehabilitation. (n.d.). Vocational Rehabilitation History. Retrieved October 8, 2014, from http://www.rehabilitations.org/vocational-rehabilitation/history-of-vocational-rehabilitation.html

Woodside, M., & McClam, T. (2013).Generalist case management: a method of human service delivery (Fourth ed.). Chicago, IL: Jon-David Hague.

Community Fair Success

On September 11^th, 2014 Alfred State hosted the 2nd annual Community Involvement in the Student Leadership Center. There were approximately 25 community-based organizations from Alfred and surrounding areas. Some of the organizations that were involved were Alfred Box of Books Library, Alfred Community Garden, Allegany Arc, Allegany County Youth Court, Almond Library, Children and Youth Learning Initiative, Hornell Family YMCA, and Turning Point Catholic Charities just to name a few. This fair is important to the college students because it offers the students a chance to become involved in civic engagement opportunities. The fair helps students connect with organizations that need volunteers, networking opportunities for internships and future employment. The students were even able to swipe their id card to add the event to their Co-Curricular Transcript to show to future employers.

A Look Into School Spirit

School spirit is a term that you often hear at pep rallies, and it is a concept that has been instilled in us for generations, but school spirit is much more. It can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. School spirit is having high enthusiasm about an institution, expressing a positive attitude, regular attendance at school related activities, supporting their sports, wearing school colors such as team clothing and face paint, and being involved in extracurricular activities. School spirit is often ongoing even after leaving the institution.

Recently, Alfred State has shown a lot of school spirit during the homecoming events. Alfred’s Got Talent is an event held on campus that demonstrates a strong expression of school spirit. Alfred State clubs, organizations and students audition for a talent show. Once they have performed, they are shown positive support through the cheers and screams of the audience. School spirit for an event can often be dampened by the master of ceremony requesting the audience to not cheer or scream during the performance because it can be distracting for the participants. Performing before a large group of your peers can be intimidating. I performed in the talent show with the Japanese Dance Club and the cheers from the audience made me want to perform better, relax, and smile more. Any kind of positive support should be encouraged.

 Another example of school spirit is the spirit bonfire, hence the name. The screams, laughter, and yells at the bonfire and reaction from the fireworks really demonstrated school spirit. Watching such a spectacular fireworks, and sharing the moment with a group of friends really made me feel proud of being a student of Alfred State.

 

Other events that really get people into school spirit are the tailgating party and football game. At homecoming weekend. Alumni, family and friends gather for the excitement. Alfred State’s mascot, Orvis the Pioneer, shows massive quantities of spirit and wanders among the spectators greeting, leading cheers and offering photo opportunities. The roars from the crowd when the home team scores a touchdown are fascinating to participate in and to hear. Even if the football team loses, the crowd, slightly disappointed, still loves being there to enjoy the moment. There was music booths sponsored by college clubs and free ice cream.

 School spirit does not have to be shown just during big events like Homecoming. School spirit can be anywhere and anytime. Every time I put on my Alfred State apparel I think about how much I love Alfred State. This is my senior year so I am taking advantage of many opportunities because I know when the time comes, I will miss it immensely.  

 

SOAP Notes

S

The client presented with recently moving back home to live her parents, bringing along her boyfriend, and she states that the living environment is “crazy”.

 

O

The client has anxiety about her living situation. She has recently moved back home with her parents, wants to move out, but has no money to do so. She does not have a job and she is a student part time. Her parents are dysfunctional. Her mother has borderline personality disorder and her father is in denial of the situation and states that the mother is not mentally ill. When she moved back home one of the conditions with the parents was she must have a relationship with her mother. Her mom is verbally abusive. Her bf lives with her and her mother is pressuring her marry her boyfriend. She is not sure but she does not really feel she wants to marry the boyfriend and states he is too clingy. She claims that he is not physically abusive but sometimes makes her feel comfortable by making her do things she does not want to do. To cope she goes out with friends and drinks socially and feels her friends are her only stable support system. She denies the currently use of drugs, but does admit using drugs when she was younger. Even though she shared that there are no boundaries within this household, she is currently taking medication for depression, is unhappy and anxious, she states she has no problems sleeping.  

 

A

Cf is currently being medicated for depression. She has anxiety about her living situation living at home with her parents and bf.  Her mother has borderline personality disorder. Her mom is verbally abusive and has no boundaries. Dad never set boundaries and denies that the mother is ill. When she moved back home one of the conditions to live there was to have a relationship with her mother. Her mom is pressuring her to marry her boyfriend but she does not want to. Her bf can be too clingy. He is not abusive but sometimes she feels uncomfortable around him. She wants to move out to develop her independence but has no money to do so. She does not have a job and she is a student part time. She goes out with her friends and drinks socially to cope.

 

P

I recommend that cf receive some personal counseling to help develop strategies to cope with mother’s mental illness and dad’s passive behavior. She needs assistance locating better housing and with job searching to be able to make money to move out. She needs help developing financial independence and budgeting. She may want to consider tabling continuing her education at this time until some of her more pressing issues are addressed. She needs relationship counseling to be able to set boundaries and decide whether is she is going to continue or not with her present partner. She needs guidance with setting self-goals.

 

 

First impressions of Bridget:

Drug user accompanied by illegal activity, is promiscuous, and has a criminal record charged with a felon.

 

Why do you have these impressions?

Society’s rules and expectations

My own personal prejudges

Human service background

 

What is your more systematic judgment of Bridget?

Poor parental supervision while growing up

Raised in an alcoholic and eventually no father in the home and a mother with depression

Associates with a boyfriend who encourages and partners with the drug use and illegal activities

Poor self-esteem

Poor decision making

Criminal behavior

 

How did you first impression change and why?

The case study provided more information about how deeply involved she is in the drug society and criminal behavior and therefore gave me more insight into who she really is currently.

 

Do you think Bridget internally or externally is more influenced?

I believe that Bridget within herself and her environment both contribute to present situation. She actively choses to be with a boyfriend who seems to be an instigator of the her drug use because when she is not around him she seems to do better while living at home with her mother. However, the previous use of drugs many times can lead to relapses regardless of who the person is currently associating with at the time.

 

How does fundamental attribution error apply to our thoughts about Bridget?

Fundamental attribution error does contribute to my thoughts because some of her decision making is definitely contributing to her issues, however I am the type of person who has chosen not to make her type of decisions and feel that I have a better quality of live because of my decision making.

 

What social categories does Bridget belong?

Poor

Low education level

Needing of AA

Female

Age 22

Adult US citizen

Unemployed frequently

 

What social categories do you belong?

Middle class

College education

No need for AA

Female

Age 21

Adult US citizen

Employed in 2 part-time jobs and full time college

In what ways is Bridget in your in group or out group?

She would not be in my in-group. I do not support people who use drugs and not have a job; therefore I am aware that my assessment of her would be more critical.

 

Did you stereotype Bridget after reading the first 2 paragraphs, describe and did the stereotype remain?

Yes I did stereotype her as an addict and after reading more of her case it reinforced my impressions and assessment for what she needs to do to improve her life.

 

Case Management Model 1 ACCORD

                                                                      

                                               

     Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development (ACCORD) is a grant-funded community action agency, originally formed in 1972 as the Housing Action Corporation. It was established to fight poverty in Allegany County by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need to improve housing conditions for low to moderate income individuals and families. Today, ACCORD, due to its growth and expansion over the years, and because of rising needs in the community, now provides a multitude of different services (ACCORD Corp Home Serving Allegany County, 2010).

     The ACCORD Corporation follows an organization-based case management model. Organization-based case management provides a variety of services and meets multiple problems and needs within society. Case management organizations offer multiple services provided in one location where clients receive an assessment and formulation of an assistance plan that could include housing, work opportunities, other social supports, and time to integrate into the community (McClam & Woodside, 2013).

     ACCORD’S mission believes in the strength, dignity, and potential of all people. They offer access to opportunities, resources, and services to strengthen individuals, families and communities and are committed to improving the community's response to rural poverty by giving a voice to the unheard. The organization’s vision accomplishes their mission through the use of education, encouragement, and empowerment of others (Accord Corp Home Serving Allegany County, 2010).

     ACCORD is directed by five values: compassion, dignity, diversity, advocacy and empowerment, combined with a commitment to excellence, professional development, and partners with collaborations, while being accountable and responsible. Compassion and dignity is expressed by caring for people, while recognizing the diversity within families and the community. They advocate and empower others, addressing social justice through education. Their commitment to excellence is performed by reaching for the highest standards by fostering continuous improvement and using innovative responses to the changing needs of the community (ACCORD Corp Home Serving Allegany County, 2010).

   Professional development is offered to the employees of the organization by promoting an environment to foster development through continued education, sharing with others their personal knowledge and experiences, and offering challenging work opportunities. The partners and collaborators agree that strong team work is the foundation of a community’s ability to mobilize and change. Accountability and responsibility is expected by everyone taking responsibility for their own attitudes, actions, and judgments, accepting that they will be held accountable for their choices and actions (ACCORD Corp Serving Allegany County, 2010).

          ACCORD contains multiple programs that offer a variety of services such as: the Affordable Housing Corporation program, the Home Program, the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing program, the Restore Program, Community Action Angels program, Head Start program, Choices program, Advantage After-School program, Community Learning Centers and a Victim Response Team.  The Affordable Housing Corporation program provides grants for low to moderate income homeowners who reside in Allegany County that help reduce up to 60% of the total cost of the home improvement project. Also available to low- income homeowners throughout Allegany County, is the Home Program that provides grants to assist the homeowner with improvements to more efficiently meet health and safety codes.  The Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing program gives grants to low-income homeowners to assist with improvements to meet rehabilitation needs. The Restore Program provides emergency home repair grants to low-income elderly homeowners throughout Allegany County. 

     The Community Action Angels program is devoted to providing hope to people experiencing any difficult circumstance. This program includes a holiday gift program for children, holiday food boxes, clothing/furniture collection and distribution, nursing home projects, services for the elderly, highway clean up, fundraisers, coat drives for children, disaster and emergency relief, transportation, financial assistance for medical co-pays, utilities and car repairs, purchasing of  household goods, furniture and/or appliances, minor home repairs, baby and toddler clothing and/or supplies, and food drives for distribution  (ACCORD Corporation, 2013).  

     ACCORD is well known for the Head Start program. Services are intended to meet the needs of children 3-5 years old with disabilities and the program offers additional services for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. The Choices program is offered to youth who are pregnant, parenting, or are at risk of pregnancy. The program strives to increase teen’s access to reproductive health services and education. The Advantage After School program offers academic support, social enrichment, and youth development and the Community Learning Centers provide mentoring, homework help, tutoring and educational, social, cultural, and recreational after school activities.

      The Victim Response Team offers domestic violence victims and their children a safe and secure shelter in a comfortable environment. This team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer support and assistance. A safe house assists victims to obtain legal remedies, support, employment training options, advocacy, child care, transportation, referrals, and case management services, as well as clothing, home furnishings, and a supply of emergency food upon leaving the shelter. Transportation during shelter stay is available for those who do not have their own vehicle.  There is a women's education domestic violence support group, and a play group for their children. The women and children are given the tools to learn about issues of victimization and how to overcome the effects of domestic violence. The Victim Response Team is a group dedicated to strengthening local response to domestic violence and holding offenders accountable for their crimes. The mission of the team is to have a coordinated response to domestic violence in Allegany County and this is achieved through team members coming together monthly to discuss incidents of domestic violence and provide education on domestic violence to area partners with a concentration on the prosecution of offenders. The team targets domestic violence incidents and is specifically dedicated toward preventing, identifying, and responding to violent crimes against women as well as the elderly population (ACCORD Corporation, 2013).

    ACCORD is a great organization for families, communities, and children.  I like to work at the ACCORD agency because it offers a variety of services. I can see myself working there because domestic violence is one of the causes I care about and because of the variety of services that they offer. I prefer to work in an environment where there a high demand for services with a variety of options. What I do not like about this organization is it offers such a wide variety of services that when people refer to ACCORD it would require further clarification about which section of the organization they are referring. For example, if someone mentioned VESID many people know that the organization offers services to people with disabilities, helps them with employment, and independent living (ACCES-VR, September 20, 2013). The ACCORD organization deals with services that vary from domestic violence to Head Start. I do not like the fact that some services are restricted to only Allegany County, but some of the programs are offered to anyone.  There is such a high demand for the services that they offer it would be great if it could be offered to anyone, however I do understand the budgetary restraints.

     If I worked for ACCORD my roles as a case manager would be: broker, coordinator, consultant, and planner (McClam, & Woodside, 2013). The multicultural case management model has a broad scope approach and could be applied to any of the ACCORD programs due to the wide range of services they offer.

 

Bibliography

ACCES-VR. (2013, September 20).Vocational Rehabilitation:VR.Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr/

ACCORD Corporation. (2013, April 30). Community Action Angels Program Services Angles Live in the Hearts that Care [Pamphlet]. Belmont, NY:ACCORD Corporation

Cramer, M. L. (2009, July 22). Job Description for a Case Manager. eHow. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://www.ehow.com/about_5208008_job-description-case-manager.html

McClam, T., & Woodside, M. (2013). Models of Case Management. Generalist case management: a workbook for skill development (pp. 73, 77-79, 87-89). Belmont, Calif.: Thomson Higher Education. (Original work published 2006)

Murray, R. (2011, June 20). How to Cite a Pamphlet in APA. eHow. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://www.ehow.com/how_8620724_cite-pamphlet-apa.html

Welcome to ACCORD Corporation. (n.d.).Accord Corp home Serving Allegany County. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.accord-corp.org/

Nomination Letter

4005 Cook Hollow Road

Woodhull, NY 14898

September 15^th, 2014

Dr. Brian Quinn

10 Upper College Drive

Alfred State SUNY College of Technology

Alfred, NY 14802

Dear Dr. Quinn

    I would like to nominate Vicki Oddo for the Pioneer Student of the Month. Vicki is a student at Alfred State College. She was born on January15, 1993. She is from Corning, NY. Before coming to Alfred State she attended Elmira College for one year for math. She transferred to Corning Community College for two years. She graduated with a degree in math for forensic science. Then she transferred to Alfred for forensics. She chose this degree because she likes science, math, is good a chemistry and math and she wasn’t cut out for the vet tech program. Her expected graduation date is spring of 2016.

    She enjoys animals, drawing, chemistry and math. She is involved in the Ergo magazine, game nation club and the equestrian club. She dislikes writing English papers. She dislikes when people mistreat and abuse animals.

    Vicki had her wisdom teeth removed a year ago. She works at a place where she takes cares of animals especially dogs. After the surgery she was afraid that the dogs would jump up on her. The next day the dogs did jump on her. The dogs accidently bit her hand. The pain in her mouth was replaced by the pain in her hand. She tried to make the situation funny by making a joke about how her mouth didn’t hurt anymore but her boss didn’t appreciate it very much.

    

Sincerely,

Lynnette Lockwood

Lynnette Lockwood