Empower U

Program Hours are from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday (except for designated holidays and staff training days). The program day will be broken into specific activities. Activities include physical movement, art, music, games, life skills activities, field trips and other special activities according to individual interests. There will also be time permitted for individual activities of interest. In addition to The Arc of Greensboro staff, volunteers and contractors may be utilized to provide activities (i.e. yoga, specific art activities, etc.).  

Empower U is a group-focused, skills-building, fun, and safe environment. To maintain the quality of the program for all students, there are behavioral expectations. As this is a group setting, staff are not in a position to consistently manage certain behaviors. The following behaviors are not acceptable for this program: 

• Physically aggressive behaviors  
• Consistent verbal aggression and/or threats 
• Pica: The persistent craving and compulsive eating of non-food substances  
• Sexually inappropriate behaviors  
• Failure to stay in assigned area 
• Leaving the premises without permission   
• Any other persistent behavior that interferes with the overall goals of Empower U 

We know that most people have days where they are not at their best. Behavioral issues will be addressed on an individual and graduated basis, depending on severity. 

• Students are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner while at Empower U. 
• Students are expected to adhere to rules regarding safety.   
• Students are expected to use the restroom unaccompanied. (Ex: washing hands after a restroom visit.)  
• Students are expected to remain in the designated program area at all times. 

The Arc of Greensboro staff are trained in NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention). Staff make every effort to intervene and de-escalate aggressive behavior. Staff are not trained in physical restraint. If a student becomes a danger to themselves, other students and/or staff, 9-1-1 will be utilized and family/caregivers will be notified as soon as possible. 

At this time, The Arc of Greensboro does not have staff qualified to provide medications.  Staff are trained in basic first aid and CPR. In the case of a medical emergency, 9-1-1 will immediately be notified and family/caregivers will be notified as soon as possible. 

Schedules are based on availability and take into consideration the needs of each student. 

Students may leave the program at any time, with a two-week notice. 

The Arc of Greensboro reserves the right to discharge a student who is deemed to not be benefiting from the program and/or is consistently disruptive to other students. A two-week notice will be provided, unless maintaining safety requires immediate dismissal. 

Students need to provide their own lunch as well as a small morning and afternoon snack. As refrigeration is limited, food needing to be kept cool should be in a container with an ice pack. Microwaves are available to heat lunch items and staff will assist as necessary.  

As part of the program, there will be times when students are skill building around food preparation and lunch and/or snacks may be provided. You will be informed in advance when this is the case.