Nashville, Scene of Arc 1999 National Convention

The 50th Annual National Convention of the Arc of the United States will take place at the Nashville Renaissance Hotel and the downtown convention center, October 21-23.

A report, issued by the Arc National Headquarters in Arlington, Texas, says the three day event includes exhibits, plenary sessions, workshops and an awards luncheon.

Adopting the 50th Anniversary theme of the convention, three plenary sessions will focus on the Past, Present and Future.

Carol Grace Anderson of Nashville, a motivational speaker, author and performer, will deliver the keynote address - Get Fired Up Without Burning Out.

Karen Gaffney, a young woman with Down syndrome, will speak on the positive experience of full inclusion. She recently received her high school diploma from St. Mary's Academy in Portland, Oregon, and is now studying to become a teacher's assistant working with young children.

Colleen Wieck, Ph.D., executive director of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, will discuss her personal experiences as a professional and as a volunteer.

Wesley Vinner of Washington, D.C., a member of the Arc Board of Directors, will also participate. Vinner has grown from confined existence in an institution to demonstrated success in the community.

Rutherford Turnbull III, Lawrence, Kansas, co-director of the Beach Center on Families and Disabilities, will discuss the development of community services. Turnbull is professor of special education and courtesy professor of law at the University of Kansas.

A range of workshops, targeted to parents and other family members, self-advocates, professionals, chapter leaders, students and friends are scheduled.

For information, contact: National Headquarters, 500 East Border Street, Suite 300, Arlington, Texas 76010. (817) 261-6003, or log on www.TheArc.org

Simons Named Director of West Tennessee Regional Mental Retardation Office

Bernard A. Simons Jr., a 28-year veteran at providing management services to persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, was named director of the West Tennessee Regional Office for the Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS) effective September 1.

Simons' appointment was announced by Rick Campbell, director of the Commission on Compliance, and DMRS Deputy Commissioner Barbara Brent.

Simons became superintendent at Nashville's Clover Bottom Developmental Center in June of 1997. During his tenure, Clover Bottom received excellent reviews from the Quality Review Panel's annual survey of the compliance agreement.

In July of 1996, Simons moved from Massachusetts to Tennessee as assistant superintendent at Arlington Developmental Center near Memphis.

His responsibilities included ensuring the provision of quality service delivery to individuals as indicated by departmental regulations, related regulatory grievances, Intermediate Care Facility compliance, court mandates and the Department of Justice.

Past professional service was with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Retardation, as an assistant facility director and as director of residential services.

Simons earned a master's in education at the University of Rhode Island at Kingston and a Certificate of Advance Graduate Study in special education at Boston University.

He is active in the American Association on Mental Retardation, the Association of Public Disabilities Administrators and the Developmental Disabilities Services Managers.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR- Joyce Thompson, an employee at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute (MTMHI) since 1974, was recently honored as the DMHMR Employee of the Year for 1998. Thompson, a unit clerk was selected from employees representing the mental health institutes, developmental centers and central office. Pictured with Thompson are MTMHI Superintendent Joe Carobene and Commissioner Elisabeth Rukeyser.