ARISE - EFR
The theme of the podcast is independent living and advocacy for people with disabilities.
Episodes
119 episodes
Understanding the TBI Waiver: Independence in Action
What is the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver, and how does it help people live independently? In this episode, Bruce Drake sits down with program expert Danielle Durkin to break down eligibility, services, and how this Medicaid-funded ...
Veterans Directed Care: Choice, Independence, and Support
Veterans deserve the freedom to live where and how they choose. In this episode, ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources CEO Bruce Drake sits down with Lauren Canaro, Assistant Director of Consumer Directed Services, to explore the Veterans Di...
ARISE & Ski: Opening the Slopes to Everyone Through Adaptive Sports
In this episode of Exceptional Talk on Disabilities, host Bruce Drake, CEO of ARISE and Exceptional Family Resources, is joined by Mary Schwanke, Senior Community Inclusion Supervisor, for an in-depth conversation about t...
Advocacy in Action: Inside the Ombudsman Program at ARISE-EFR
In this episode, ARISE-EFR CEO Bruce Drake is joined by Bill Rose, Program Manager of the Ombudsman Program, for an in-depth conversation about advocacy, dignity, and the rights of older adults living in long-term care settings.Bill shar...
Guiding Families Through Special Education: A Conversation with Education Advocate Beth Clark
In this episode of the ARISE – Exceptional Family Resources Podcast, CEO Bruce Drake speaks with Beth Clark, Lead Education Advocate at ARISE & EFR. Beth shares her journey from classroom teacher and parent of three children with disabiliti...
Growing Up Together: Siblings, Support, and the Power of Inclusion
In this heartwarming episode, CEO Bruce Drake sits down with 10-year-old Jace Downing, one of ARISE–EFR’s youngest participants, volunteers, and natural advocates. Joined by Jen Barkley, Community Inclusion Supervisor, this conver...
Igniting Possibility: How Employment Services Opens Doors for People with Disabilities
In this powerful and inspiring episode, CEO Bruce Drake sits down with Lawton Williamson, Director of Employment Services at ARISE & Exceptional Family Resources, to explore the transformative work behind meaningful employment for people wi...
Inside Advocacy: How Change Happens from the Ground Up
Join host Bruce Drake of ARISE – EFR as he sits down with statewide systems advocate Phil Phren to unpack how meaningful systems-change happens in the world of disability rights and independent living. In this episode, we explore:<...
Building Access: The Ramp Program that Keeps People Home
Join host Bruce Drake of ARISE – EFR as he sits down with Scott Pecoy, Ramp Coordinator for their community mobility program. Discover how this incredible volunteer-driven initiative designs, builds and installs modular access ramps so in...
Navigating Life with Lawrence
In this episode of the ARISE-EFR podcast, host Bruce Drake talks with Sue Stalker, a Direct Support Professional (DSP) with 15 years of experience, about her longtime partnership with Lawrence. They discuss how Sue became Lawrence’...
Building Empowered Collaboration: ARISE-EFR & Community Partnerships
In this episode, host Bruce Drake engages with Adaptive Design Coordinator, Connor McGough, to explore how ARISE-EFR forges meaningful collaborations with community organizations to enhance support for individuals with disabilities and th...
Supporting Families Through Disability Services
In this episode of the ARISE-EFR podcast, host Bruce Drake sits down with Karen Adams, Resource & Family Reimbursement Specialist, to discuss her journey as both a parent and advocate in the disability field. Karen shares how she came...
Inside Self-Direction: Featuring Laurie Penney-McGee and Sarah Brittenham
In this powerful episode of the ARISE-EFR podcast, we’re proud to spotlight two incredible voices from our community: Laurie Penny-McGee, a passionate advocate and leader at ARISE-EFR, and Sarah Brittenham, a talented artist and p...
“From Stage to Service: Max Smith’s Journey of Inclusion”
In this episode of the ARISE - Exceptional Family Resources podcast, CEO Bruce Drake sits down with Max Smith, the Community Inclusion Senior Supervisor at ARISE. They discuss Max’s unique path—from his early days in theater and educat...
Breaking Down Barriers
ARISE/Exceptional Family Resources CEO, Bruce Drake and COO, Dan Kelley talk the agency services for people with disabilities and Dan's role as both an employee and parent of two adult children with developmental disabilities.
Oswego Holiday Food Drive
Welcome to another episode of the ARISE Podcast! Today, we have a special holiday message for you as our CEO, Tania Anderson, sits down with Josh Solazzo, Local Systems Advocate and Disability Rights Advocate, and Jim Cronk, Independent Living ...
The Benefits of the VDC Program
Welcome to our podcast! We are coming up on the first anniversary of the Veterans Directed Care program at ARISE. Join us as Tania Anderson, our CEO, chats with Judy Wirt, the wife of Air Force Veteran Karl Wirt, and Gabrielle VanDuser, a Perso...
Local Voter Accessibility Concerns
This week on our podcast, Tania Anderson, CEO of ARISE, tackles the issue of voter accessibility in Oswego County. She is joined by Josh Solazzo, a Disability Rights Advocate, and Jim Cronk, an Independent Living Advocate, both from ARISE. Toge...
Empowering Residents’ Rights
In this ARISE Podcast, Tania Anderson, CEO of ARISE, interviews Joanna Ginnick, the long-term care ombudsman coordinator, about the Ombudsman Program. The program, staffed by certified volunteers, advocates for residents in nursing homes to ens...
Caring for Caregivers
Welcome to this week’s episode! Today, we have a special conversation with Tania Anderson, CEO of ARISE, and Rory Lawrence, Director of Wellness at David’s Refuge. David’s Refuge is a local agency dedicated to providing respite, resources, and ...
A Whole New Life
In this week's episode, Tania Anderson, CEO of ARISE talks with Billie Horr, a resident of Senate Meadows in Cayuga County, which is a special housing program supported by ARISE. Anderson also talks with Marie Phillips, Bille’s home health aide...
The Joe Family Foundation
This week's conversation centered on the Joe Family Foundation which aims to help families navigate the complex system of services for youth with disabilities, particularly those transitioning from middle school to college. Tania Anderson ARISE...
Suicide Prevention
On the ARISE Podcast, Tania Anderson, CEO and Amy Schiminske, ARISE Mental Health Counselor discuss suicide prevention as suicide rates are at an all-time high. In this informative conversation, Anderson and Schiminske discuss risk factors, pro...
Merger: EFR and ARISE
In this ARISE Podcast episode, Tania Anderson, CEO of ARISE, has a conversation with Bruce Drake, CEO of Exceptional Family Resources (EFR), about the decision to merge the two organizations. Discussion centers on the strengths both ARISE and E...
Fighting Disability Stigma
On this week’s ARISE Podcast, Tania Anderson, CEO talks with Teresa Martinez, a Disability Rights Advocate and NY Connects Coordinator in ARISE’s Cayuga County Office. Martinez, who is a certified Family Peer Advocate helps parents through her ...