Recent Press Leases:
- Fayette Resources Presents “The ABC’s Of Challenging Behaviors” Fayette Resources Kicks Off National Autism Month with New Community Seminar Series
- Community’s Biggest Winners to be the "Biggest Losers" Fayette Resources Launches New Healthy Living Program During MH/MR Awareness Month
- Fayette Resources held Open House in celebration of Success! - the theme of this year’s Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2008.
- PAR Names Mark Hamilton
2007 Pennsylvania Advocate of the Year
Fayette Resources Presents “The ABC’s Of Challenging Behaviors” Fayette Resources Kicks Off National Autism Month with New Community Seminar Series
Lemont Furnace, PA – Fayette Resources kicks off their Community Seminar Series with the presentation of “The ABC’s of Challenging Behaviors,” a presentation that will give parents, families, teachers and professionals effective tools for understanding and addressing challenging behaviors, including a review of Applied Behavior Analysis and positive behavior support systems.
This training will be presented by Special Education Professor Regis Lazor. He has spent his entire career working in the field of Special Education and has been a professor at California University of PA for 37 years. Throughout his career, he has been extremely active in working with schools, agencies and families, especially in dealing with challenging behavior and building positive behavior alternatives. His work with persons diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has ranged from designing preschool environments to adapting work environments for adults. He specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis, the fundamental principle behind today’s most effective strategies used with persons with an ASD diagnosis.
This free presentation is open to community, educators and professionals interested in learning more about Autism’s Challenges. “Education and awareness are key in formulating positive attitudes and feelings towards these special members of our community,” says Kathy Morris, CEO of Fayette Resources. “There are so many developments and opinions in the Autism arena that we make sure to take our time, digest the findings and consult with experts to make sure our approaches are the most advanced and effective. Sharing our experiences with the community at large and can only enhance the quality of care these individuals receive.”
About Fayette Resources:
Mission: To support people with disabilities in the community by providing the highest quality individualized services, which promote independence, choice, growth, acceptance and respect.
Background: Established in 1991, Fayette Resources, Inc. serves adults and children with disabilities using a wide variety of carefully constructed person centered services. As a well respected provider, Fayette Resources' programming includes innovative residential services, adult training, behavior management and individual program planning consultation, training for professional/support staff and families, employment training and technical assistance.
Community’s Biggest Winners to be the "Biggest Losers"
Fayette Resources Launches New Healthy Living Program
During MH/MR Awareness Month
Lemont Furnace, PA – Statewide, and across the nation, organizations devoted to serving individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities (MH/MR) are planning special events in March to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of their disabilities. This is all a part of a year-round effort to encourage people to bring diversity to their communities by welcoming people with disabilities into their neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship and schools.
“We see MH/MR month as an opportunity for the public to better understand the individuals we serve including the 60 members of our community who have disabilities” said Kathy Susano-Morris, CEO of Fayette Resources. “For example, when you see a child who uses a wheelchair–see the child, not the disability. And when you see a man with mental retardation working at your local supermarket, see the man, not his disability.”
In conjunction with MH/MR Awareness Month, Fayette Resources is proud to launch their Healthy Living Program funded by a grant from the Eberly Foundation. This program will promote healthy choices and nutrition awareness for individuals in the Fayette Resources family. Program Specialist Stacey Beistel worked extensively to create this “Biggest Loser” inspired initiative. In addition to lifestyle programs that focus on diet and regular exercise, individuals can participate in Fayette’s own version of “The Biggest Loser,” giving them the opportunity to learn about healthy choices and have fun along the way. Fayette’s healthcare quality unit (HCQU) will be implementing both the exercise and weight management aspects through walking, low-impact aerobics and even some dancing.
Kathy Susano-Morris is extremely proud of her team and the work that went into winning this grant and creating the program. “Fayette Resources is thrilled to be recognized and supported by the Eberly Foundation in our effort to improve the health and well-being of the individuals in our community programs,” says Morris. “This is a wonderful kick-off for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Awareness Month and will offer the individuals an array of life changing experiences. We extend a most grateful ‘Thank You’ to the Eberly Foundation for acknowledging the needs of our community.”
About Fayette Resources:
Mission: To support people with disabilities in the community by providing the highest quality individualized services, which promote independence, choice, growth, acceptance and respect.
Background: Established in 1991, Fayette Resources, Inc. serves adults and children with disabilities using a wide variety of carefully constructed person centered services. As a well respected provider, Fayette Resources' programming includes innovative residential services, adult training, behavior management and individual program planning consultation, training for professional/support staff and families, employment training and technical assistance.
Contact Information:
Stacey Beistel
Fayette Resources
1313 Connellsville Road
Lemont Furnace, PA 15454
Phone: (724) 437-6461
Fax: (724) 437-5451
For press photos or additional graphics contact:
Michael Snyder, Spark Creative Group
Phone: (856) 854-2647, ex.30
mike@spark-creetive.net
Fayette Resources held Open House in celebration of Success! - the theme of this year’s Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2008.
Lemont Furnace, PA – Statewide, and across the nation, organizations devoted to serving individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities (MR/DD) are planning special events in March to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of their disabilities. “Success!” encourages people to bring diversity to their communities by welcoming people with disabilities into local neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship and schools.
"This is a time when our organization focuses on encouraging the public to better understand the individuals we serve," said Kathy Susano-Morris, CEO of Fayette Resources.
“During ‘MR/DD Awareness Month,’ we encourage people to learn more about over 60 people in this community who have disabilities. For example, when you see a child who uses a wheelchair – see the child, not the disability. And when you see a man with mental retardation working at your local supermarket, see the man, not his disability.”
Fayette Resources opened their doors of their Lemont Furnace Adult Training Facility to the public on March 28th 2008 from 9 AM – 2 PM. The goal of this open house is to raise awareness about the services they provide to the MH / MR community and life-changing impact it has on the lives of the individuals they serve, their employees and the community.
All attendees can explore different program areas throughout the facility and meet the individuals as they participate in various activities including arts and crafts, pre-vocational training, educational programs, social enrichment, and domestic activities. Tony Rose, the Director of Fayette Resources’ Lemont Furnace Adult Training Facility, takes the work he does to heart. “I know that I am making a difference in someone's life. The smiles on each individual's face and the goals I see them reach are the biggest rewards anyone could ask for.”
In addition to tours and program visits, attendees will find Fayette Resources’ Annual Craft Fair featuring hand-made creations by individuals at the Lemont Furnace facility. All proceeds directly benefit the individuals and help pay for field trips such as baseball games, dances, picnics and other outings.
About Fayette Resources:
Mission: To support people with disabilities in the community by providing the highest quality individualized services, which promote independence, choice, growth, acceptance and respect.
Background: Established in 1991, Fayette Resources, Inc. serves adults and children with disabilities using a wide variety of carefully constructed person centered services. As a well respected provider, Fayette Resources' programming includes innovative residential services, adult training, behavior management and individual program planning consultation, training for professional/support staff and families, employment training and technical assistance.
For press photos or additional graphics contact:
Michael Snyder, Spark Creative Group
Phone: (856) 854-2647, ex.30
mike@spark-creative.net.
PAR Names Mark Hamilton
2007 Pennsylvania Advocate of the Year
October 16, 2007 – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Mark Hamilton, Regional Director at Fayette Resources, Inc. has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Association of Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR) as one of two recipients of the Pennsylvania Advocate of the Year Award for exemplary service and leadership in political advocacy on behalf of people with autism and intellectual disabilities (also referred to as mental retardation). As Regional Director, Mark serves the DuBois area including Clearfield, Jefferson, Clarion and Elk Counties.
Fayette Resources joins PAR in recognizing Mark's contribution to people with disabilities. Kathryn Susano Morris, CEO of Fayette Resources, has witnessed first-hand the dedication and enthusiasm in his work. "Mark personifies the qualities needed to be an effective advocate and this is evident in his work. It's a comforting feeling knowing that Mark is in your corner, supporting the agency and its mission."
This award recognizes an individual, who by their tenacity and perseverance, publicly demonstrates effective advocacy in the Pennsylvania political process at the local, regional and statewide level; and who offers, as well as embraces, new ideas to advance the quality of community mental retardation services and support. It is also important to note that PAR does not give this award every year. This honor was specifically bestowed upon Mr. Hamilton for his advocacy not only for persevering through the most recent budget cycles in Pennsylvania, but also for his continual dedication to educating policy-makers about the needs of some of their most vulnerable constituents.
Mark’s efforts enabled both Fayette’s staff and individuals with intellectual disabilities, who receive services through Fayette Resources, to participate directly in the legislative process. Their advocacy, combined with strong grassroots activity throughout the state, resulted in a 3% cost of living increase for community-based mental retardation services in the FY2007-2008 Pennsylvania budget.
About the Organization
Fayette Resources’ Mission: To support people with disabilities in the community by providing the highest quality individualized services, which promote independence, choice, growth, acceptance and respect.
Established in 1991, Fayette Resources, Inc. serves adults and children with disabilities using a wide variety of carefully constructed person centered services. As a well respected provider, Fayette Resources' programming includes innovative residential services, adult training, behavior management and individual program planning consultation, training for professional/support staff and families, employment training and technical assistance.
About P.A.R.
The Pennsylvania Association of Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization dedicated to the continuous quality improvement of services and supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and children and adults living with autism and their families. PAR member agencies support over 45,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities as well as over 8,000 people living with autism in over 5,600 locations in the Commonwealth. For more information, visit www.par.net.
Contact Information
Mark Hamilton
Fayette Resources
87 Beaver Drive
DuBois, PA 15801
Phone: (814) 372-2115
Fax: (814) 372-2119
For Press Photos or Additional Graphics, Contact
Michael Snyder
Spark Creative Group
Phone: (856) 854-2647, ex.30
mike@spark-creative.net.
