For those who do not want to work but want to become more independent and participate more fully in their society, a variety of individualized day programs are available.

Individuals with developmental impairments can take advantage of a variety of day programs offered to them through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Each day program is geared toward providing participants with the personal, social, and vocational assistance they require to be successful in their chosen community.

The programming of each day program is tailored to meet the specific requirements and interests of each individual. These day programs can help individuals to lead full and active lives, whether they choose or are able to hold employment or not. Those individuals who are employed are still able to participate in various day programs as their scheduling and life plans allow. Three of the programs offered by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities are Community Habilitation, Day Habilitation, and Respite.

Community Habilitation

Community Habilitation Services can be provided in the comfort of your own home or in the community. People who do not reside in an OPWDD-certified or -operated home are eligible for community habilitation services.

Through Community Habilitation programs, an individual may develop and maintain the skills they need to live securely and more independently, meet new people, make and retain friends, participate in community activities, and be a contributing member of the community via the use of this program.

Some of the services available include:

Development of adaptive skills – Adaptive skills are those skills and behaviors needed to perform everyday tasks. These can include self-care, such as feeding and dressing.
Hands-on assistance with activities of daily living where needed and appropriate
Community inclusion and relationship-building with others, which can lean to making a positive difference in the community as well as within the individual
Training and support for independence in travel and transportation, including bus, train, and other mass transport options
Adult educational supports in a variety of areas, both vocational as well as recreational and informative
Development of social skills, so that relationships – both long term friendships as well as shorter daily meetings- can be successfully achieved
Leisure skills, including games, sports, and both individual as well as group activities
Self-advocacy and informed choice skills, so that individuals are able to self-direct their lives better
Appropriate behavior development to help people access their community, the people, resources, and events

These are some of the services available. At AC cares, we strive to be sure that individuals are aware of the different community habilitation programs available to them, and seek to find a good fit so that a person will be able to live a full and active life.

To be eligible to engage in Community Habilitation, a person must first contact the Regional Front Door intake team, who will check his or her eligibility and recommend that the program be provided. People who are currently receiving supports may be able to acquire Community Habilitation with the assistance of their care manager, if this is suitable.

Individuals who reside in an OPWDD-certified Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA), Community Residence (CR), or Family Care Home are now eligible for Community Habilitation programs, as opposed to solely those who live outside of OPWDD-certified environments (FCH). Individuals residing in OPWDD-certified settings will be able to use Community Habilitation services in place of part or all of their day services as a result of this increase of eligibility.

Day Habilitation

This type of assistance is available to everybody, regardless of where they live. They take place outside of your home, generally at an approved site in the neighborhood, or even in the community, and are referred to as Day Hab Without Walls (Day Treatment Without Walls).

Day Habilitation Without Walls is an OPWDD initiative that provides persons with appropriate services by removing them from traditional Day Habilitation programs (“Within Walls”) and providing them with additional chances to use their talents in the community (“Without Walls”).

People we support are placed in volunteer, semi-employment, and full-time work opportunities.
Providing opportunities for the people we assist to put their skills to use in the community.
Making sure that each individual has a complete service plan in place.
Providing assistance to individuals we serve in setting objectives and achieving desired outcomes.

Day Habilitation services, like Community Habilitation services, can aid people in many ways. These include acquiring, maintaining, or improving their self-help, sociability, and adaptive skills, which can include communication, travel, and other areas of adult education, among other things. It is the goal of all activities and surroundings to promote the development of skills and proper conduct, increased independence, community involvement, connection building, self-advocacy, and informed choice for all participants. Additionally, those who get day rehabilitation frequently give back to their communities by participating in volunteer activities.

Respite Services

Respite services are available to assist families who are caring for their loved ones at home, regardless of whether the persons have more significant health concerns or more complex behavioral requirements. These services provide much-needed respite for carers. Respite services are provided in a variety of settings, including the home, camps, recreational facilities, and other sites.

Providers of respite services provide small periods of relief from the demands of caring. These services can be provided in or out of the home, throughout the day, in the evenings, or even over the course of an entire night.

At the same time, providing care for others can be very rewarding and stressful. It is understandable that family members who care for a loved one who has a developmental issue would need to take a vacation every now and then. Recognized as a valuable resource in decreasing overall family stress levels, respite service providers provide short periods of relief from the responsibilities of caregiving. Families that have a loved one who has a developmental disability would greatly benefit from the chance to better meet their needs. Respite care can be provided in or out of the home, during the day, in the evenings, or over the course of a whole night. It can also be provided in or out of the home.