TURNERS FALLS — With the help of a $211,331 grant, The United Arc will invest in technology for its staff to better serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the region while streamlining their work.

The Turners Falls-based nonprofit received the money from the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services through the Provider Technology Improvement grant program, which helps providers like The United Arc upgrade information technology hardware and software.

United Arc CEO Fred Warren said the grant is a long-awaited opportunity to invest in the organization’s technological infrastructure, which, in turn, will benefit employees and the individuals they serve.

“Nonprofits, especially the ones that have been around for a long time, historically haven’t invested the funds in technology advancements because most of the funding is going to the services they’re providing,” Warren said. “That issue has been one that EOHHS and other state agencies have identified as a big need.”

Specifically, the grant will go toward upgrading The United Arc’s server infrastructure to improve communications within the organization, upgrading staff computers for more effective in-person note-taking when working with clients and the purchase of iPads to loan out to individuals.

Warren highlighted the computer upgrades as an opportunity for staff to work better with individuals, as they will be able to provide “real-time notes and in-the-moment thoughts and observations.”

“Accuracy is going to be heightened by the fact that it’s in the moment and it won’t take away from the interactions,” Warren said. “Our agency is getting ready to celebrate its 75th anniversary in a couple years and from a technology standpoint, it’s kind of been that old-style approach to things.”

Warren credited The United Arc’s receipt of the grant, which he said was “highly competitive,” to the support the agency received from local legislators. State Sens. Paul Mark and Jo Comerford, as well as Reps. Natalie Blais and Susannah Whipps provided “enthusiastic support” in letters, he said.

“It means a lot to the staff and we know it’s going to really help us enhance the services,” Warren said. “We come into work each day trying to do that, so this is just a huge boost.”

For more information about The United Arc, visit its website at theunitedarc.org.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.