BuxMont Live! Mondays 11:10 am to Noon on WNPV 1440 AM

Deb Kunsch, Ex. Director of ALTEC in Colmar was a guest on BuxMont Live this wee. Read the full article to find out about the questions we asked and ALTEC's Upcoming Events. You can also visit WNPV to listen to the shows archives.

Tell me more about ALTEC and the services you provide for our local community?

1.  Employment supports individuals locate and maintain work in local businesses and companies.
   
   1. Types of jobs people do, would like to name some local companies that recognize the benefits of adding diversity to their workforce and awards that 2 companies have received for hiring individuals with special needs
      Mobile work crews can also go out to local businesses for temporary or regularly scheduled work duties. Companies benefit because ALTEC is the employer on record yet the company work needs are being met with reliable and hard working individuals supported by ALTEC. The individuals benefit because they get an opportunity to work alongside non-handicapped individuals in a real work setting.
2. Vocational training in a structured work setting with Instructors working with individuals to teach new and varied work related skills. We use real work from companies and individuals are compensated based on the quantity of work they complete.
   
   1. Type of work contracted in for individuals to do and name local companies that pay ALTEC for this service Also instructional classes that address the use of technology, wellness, civic engagement and much more Civic engagement where individuals have the opportunity to "give back" to local, national or global needs. I can share various activities we have engaged in with our community (ex. food drive for Manna, book drive for local libraries, raise funds for local fire company and Veteran of Foreign Wars, Haiti relief ). How partnerships emerge from these activities and a feeling of being a part of a community.
3.  A habilitative day service we call Supported Life Skills for individuals that require more intensive levels of support and skill building. Services are designed for each individual and can vary between structured classes in basic academics, technology/computer use, physical, occupational and music therapy, various communication and socialization sessions and activities. The needs of the individuals and the talented staff working at ALTEC that make all of this work.
   1. What our services mean to the families we support Many activities and programs are held throughout our community and I can share these and mention welcoming opportunities (example - Water aerobics at the Indian Valley YMCA or fitness classes at Total Body fitness center in Lansdale, Tai Chi classes etc..)
4.  Older Adult services for individuals over 50 with developmental disabilities. Similar array of services that are found in Supported Life Skills but in an environment more conducive to meeting the needs of our senior citizens who may be faced with increased medical, physical and mental challenges associated with aging.

Some suggested Questions or topics for your consideration:

A. How great is the need for these services in our community?

B.  How are ALTEC services paid for? State and federal funds, I will explain the growing gap in dollars between what the government is willing to fund and what people with disabilities deserve and need.

C. Busy place at ALTEC,  how can an interested listener help? time and talent if you can pick up a paint brush, teach a craft class, or read a short story, etc.

• Donations of money
• The Beef & Beer Fundraiser

D. How will you use the donations that ALTEC raises?

Deb Kunsch is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Advance Lane Training and Employment Corporation known as ALTEC.  She has her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and has been working in the developmental disabilities community for over 30 years.  Under her direction ALTEC, has designed innovative services and supports for adults with disabilities in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. ALTEC operates at three service locations and carries licenses from both the Department Of Public Welfare and the Office of Aging to provide vocational rehabilitation, adult developmental training and services to individuals over the age of 60.  Several government agencies contract for employment related services from ALTEC which has placed hundreds of individuals with disabilities into jobs in their community.

Deb is a 5 term President of the Board for the regional providers association called MAX.  In this role, she represents over 40 organizations like ALTEC that provide the community with services and supports to more than 25,000 individuals living in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware County that benefit from various social services.  She was appointed to the Board of Directors for a statewide providers association called PAR in 2009.

Upcoming Events:

ALTEC’s 11th annual fundraiser
Beef & Beer Bonanza  Saturday November 5th 6-10pm
At Village Caterers - 1290 Allentown Road, Lansdale, PA 19446
$30 /per person  $15 /for children under 10
Baskets will be raffled off and all proceeds will benefit adults with disabilities.
Raffle donation info and ticket information can be obtained at:
ALTEC - 3151 Advance Lane, Colmar, PA 18915 www.altecservices.org
Contact Deb at (215) 822-6417 ext. 200
Help support ALTEC – dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities in Montgomery and Bucks Counties.