As Fulton County’s largest employer, it’s not hard to see why The Arc Lexington has chosen to partner with HFM PTECH for as long as it has. As an organization that provides services and supports to approximately 1,300 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Lexington understands the need for community partnerships. They value the role these partnerships play in continuing their mission of empowering people with disabilities to live their best lives.
PTECH student and Lexington intern Jamie Danforth is pictured providing support in the kitchen at Lexington.
“Our partnership with PTECH has grown stronger over the years, benefiting both their program and The Arc Lexington as a whole. I always look forward to meeting with the students each year and am consistently impressed by their attentiveness,” said Lexington Recruitment Manager, Michael Feldman.
Lexington has been an active business partner of PTECH since its inception, regularly participating in professional skills development and creating an internship program specifically geared towards students looking to enter the human services or medical field.
Their Human Services Internship program provides students an opportunity to obtain a solid foundation that they can build a successful career upon. Interns become part of a team responsible for the daily well-being and safety of people with disabilities at home or while they participate in activities and programs. These experiences equip them with essential soft skills needed for career success. Interns develop a deep understanding of teamwork, patience, communication, and empathy – critical attributes in any professional setting.
Through their partnership with PTECH, Lexington has been able to reach a younger pool of candidates for the program, witnessing consistent growth in its size year after year. In this time a rising number of interns have successfully transitioned into various roles at Lexington, with 43% of interns being hired as full-time direct support professionals – a true testament to the success of this beneficial partnership.
Doug Blanc, of the Arc Lexington, presents to PTECH students. Lexington has been a PTECH business partner since the program’s inception.
Lexington is an innovative agency that strives for growth and improvement in the workplace. Its partnership with PTECH has allowed its staff to collaborate with students and teachers outside of its organization and share insights into what makes a well-developed employee/employer relationship. Participating in ‘Workplace Wednesdays’ has given Lexington staff an opportunity to discuss topics relevant to entering the workforce, providing students a firsthand account of what recruiters look for in candidates and offering a real-life perspective.
“One attribute of this program that resonates the most for me is Lexington’s ability to give back to the community,” said Lexington’s Assistant Director of QA/Compliance, Doug Blanc. “Students who begin their journey with Lexington also fulfill the internship requirements of their PTECH program. Even if a student doesn’t intern with us, it is great to work with all students to help them be successful wherever they decide to go.”
