The VAC

05/12/2023

Looking to make a difference in someone's life while working with amazing coworkers? VAC is hiring!

Vocational Advancement Center (VAC)

05/12/2023

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02/24/2022

The VAC offices will be closed tomorrow, February 25, 2022, due to the impending snow storm. We will be offering virtual services to those in our CBDS program. Stay safe and warm!

06/12/2020

Dear VAC Community,

I am writing to update you on VAC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary focus at VAC is the safety and well-being of our clients, staff, colleagues, and communities. We want to thank our entire VAC community for coming together during the past few months and working to find new creative ways to ensure a continuation of services.

VAC's community placement team continues to work remotely to assist job seekers, employers, those receiving job coaching supports, families, and state funding sources. During this time, we have created a new service component that focuses on skills training. The program was designed to equip our job seekers with the tools that they need to safely adapt to the current conditions and prepare them for going back to work. We have also kept in contact with those served in our Community Based Day Program (CBDS), offering remote activities via ZOOM.

On June 6th, Governor Baker released more details on the 4-phased approach to reopening the Commonwealth. All in-person services for VAC's Community Based Day Program (CBDS) are deferred until at least phase 3 of the plan. In order to meet core health and safety standards, providers will likely have to resume in-person services at reduced capacity to allow for proper social distancing and adherence to other infection control protocol. These strategies to implement reduced capacity will include: Alternating or staggered schedules, criteria for identifying low-risk patients or those with highest need for in-person services based on clinical, social, or other factors, and continuing to identify opportunities for remote or alternative delivery models. Transportation guidelines will also impact when and how we can resume in-person services. The VAC team is currently planning for how we can best meet these guidelines and continue to make safety a priority for all the members of our community. We will continue to communicate information as it becomes available and appreciate your continued patience.

Stay safe and healthy!

​Sincerely,

Amy E. Bell, Executive Director

04/20/2020

03/23/2020

This morning, March 23rd, Governor baker issued an emergency order ordering nonessential businesses and organizations to close their physical workspaces and facilities to customers, workers and the public. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency

Therefore, VAC's building and Community Based Day Services will remain closed until further notice. Please check back here or VAC's website for updates. www.thevac.org

03/18/2020

Dear VAC Community,
I am writing to update you on VAC's response to the COVID-19 crisis. Our primary focus is the safety and well-being of our staff, clients, colleagues, and communities. Because of the rising concern around the virus, we have decided to close our Community Based Day Program for the next two weeks from Monday, March 16th-Friday, March 27th. We will revisit this decision on an ongoing basis and continue to evaluate the safety of the members of our community.

VAC's community placement team continues to work from home and are available for questions from job seekers, employers, those receiving job coaching supports, families, and state funding sources. The best way to communicate with our staff is via email. If you are not sure of a staff members email address, please use the "Contact Us" link on our page and we will get back to with more information.

In addition to closely monitoring the latest local developments, our leadership team has been in daily contact with our state funding sources and following guidelines as set forth in the guidelines from both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the EOHHS to ensure we have complete information, a broad range of perspectives, and the necessary knowledge to respond effectively to the current environment. We will continue to provide updates regarding our services in the next weeks.

Until then, please stay safe and healthy!

​Sincerely,
Amy E. Bell, Executive Director

03/13/2020

Due to an increase in concerns regarding the corona virus, VAC will be closed on Friday, March 13th. Please check back for updates as they are announced.

12/12/2019

Congratulations to Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old climate activist with autism, for being named TIME Magazine's 2019 Person of the Year.

The climate activist has succeeded in turning vague anxieties about the planet into a worldwide movement calling for global change

12/12/2019

On December 8, The Arc partnered with the Prudential Center, Boston to offer individuals with I/DD and autism the opportunity to meet Santa in a sensory friendly environment.

The Arc of Massachusetts partnered with the Prudential Center, Boston to offer individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and autism the opportunity to meet Santa in a sensory friendly environment. The Sensitive Santa event was held on Sunday, December 8 at the Prudential Ce...

12/12/2019

WISDOM WEDNESDAY

12/02/2019

The VAC will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday December 3rd due to the inclement weather. Stay safe and warm! ❄️❄️❄️