MORC to Co-Sponsor Culture of Gentleness Conference

MORC and the Center for Positive Living Supports are pleased to announce that they will be co-sponsoring a Culture of Gentleness Conference, June 27-28, 2013 at the Grand Rapids Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids, MI.

Over 1,100 Attend 31st Annual Caregiver Appreciation Day and Kohl's Caregiver Fashion Show

Over 1,100 caregivers from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, St. Clair, Genesee and Lapeer counties attended the 31th Annual MORC Caregiver Appreciation Day at the Palazzo Grande Banquet Center on May 16th in Shelby Township.

The Macomb-Oakland Regional Center (MORC) honored hundreds of individuals who provide direct care to people with developmental disabilities by hosting a gala fashion show sponsored jointly with Kohl’s Department Store. One hundred caregivers and people with disabilities modeled together. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel spoke and two bands, the Mike Leslie Band, recognized at this year’s Detroit Music Awards with the People’s Choice Award, and the T Maxwell Trio, performed.

The MORC Kohl’s Caregiver Fashion Show was not a typical fashion show. People with disabilities and their caregivers, who model together, are selected to model based on how meaningful the experience will be for them.

“We have people who were locked away for years in institutions and those who face extreme challenges with their disabilities who never dreamed of being in a show,” said Sue Gipperich, MORC supports coordination supervisor and host of the event. “Caregivers and family members who model with loved ones are thrilled to see how much it means for a person to be cheered on by a crowd of over 1,000.”

“It is not your run-of-the-mill show and not your deadpan expressionless models!” said Maggie Lewis with Kohl’s Cares for Kids at Kohl’s in Rochester Hills, sponsor of the show for the sixth year. “There’s more screaming, cheering, laughing and smiling than you’ll see at any event ever.”

Kohl’s donated nearly $15,000 in clothes to the models and Kohl’s staff volunteered at the event. Kohl’s in Rochester Hills continues to be one of the top Kohl’s stores in the nation in community service.

The Caregiver Angels Awards, funded by Dr. Arthur Woehrlen, a dentist in Macomb County, honored 10 caregivers with a beautiful award, an “Angels” jacket, and a check for $250.

MORC Receives Three Year Accreditation from CARF

MORC is pleased to announce that is has received its fourth three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). 

The accreditation, which will extend through 2016, results from findings during CARF's on-site survey to MORC in March 2013.  CARF is the nation's accreditation authority in the fields of medical rehabilitation, behavioral health, employment and community services and its accreditation represents the highest level of endorsement acheivable.

“MORC benefits from dynamic leadership at both the board and administrative level, which has positioned the organization as a leader both in the national and international arenas,” according to the CARF report. "MORC has been a leader in developing cutting edge approaches, such as Gentle Teaching and the Center for Positive Living Supports." 

The report also goes on to praise MORC's long history of advocacy for persons with developmental disabilities, leadership in the deinstitutionalization movement, and the many innovative ways the organization promotes community inclusion in all aspects of its work.