The Arc Of Opportunity In North Central Massachusetts Inc

Acquired brain injury - the abi program provides residential and support services to individuals with an acquired brain injury. This year, 24 individuals received 7,523 days of residential services in 5 group homes. These services include assistance with activities of daily living, medical and dental care, nutrition, and social activities in the communities in which they live. All persons served were previously confined to nursing homes. Two of these individuals also received 100 hours of service and financial assistance to facilitate their transitions from nursing homes to these residences in the community. The program strives to enhance their recovery by involving them in activities of maintaining a home. The homes are designed to be fully accessible so that residents can participate in activities such as meal preparation.

Shared living - the shared living programs identify, screen, match and monitor individuals with disabilities with foster homes in order for them to have a home life that is as independent and normal as possible. All shared living programs monitor the health and safety of the individuals served. The medicaid funded programs also include monthly monitoring by a registered nurse. This year, 73 people received 24,377 days of adult foster care (medicaid funded) services. In addition, 8 people received 1,784 days of shared living supports and 10 people received financial assistance funded by dds.

Day habilitation - the day habilitation program provided 10,543 days of service to 74 individuals this year. Services included physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and behavioral services depending upon each individual's needs. All individuals are monitored by a registered nurse. Individuals participated in a variety of activities designed to increase and/or maintain their skills for activities of daily living.

Community based day supports - the cbds program provided 67,199 hours of support to 89 individuals this year. The program provides skill building opportunities through a combination of learning activities, volunteer work and social activities primarily out in the community. Individuals are encouraged to participate in activities in their own communities. Activities include exercise, crafts and community outings. Participants are given choices as to the type of activities that they would like to engage in with emphasis put on activities in the community.

Individualized support services - the iss program provided 11,795 hours of support to 64 individuals this year. The program assists individuals with developmental disabilities living independently in the community. The hours of service vary from person to person based on their individual needs. Assistance may include finance and budgeting, meal planning, shopping, medical and dental care and accessing social and recreational opportunities in the community in which they live. In addition, 22 of these people received representative payee services and 18 received financial assistance.

Employment - the employment programs provided 9,248 hours of support to 62 individuals this year. The objective of these programs is to assist individuals in finding and keeping jobs in the community. Group employment provides an opportunity to work with the support of a job coach to learn the skills needed to obtain a competitive job. Individuals perform a variety of different jobs at businesses in the community for which they are paid. The employment supports programs provide evaluation, job development, job placement, job training and long-term support for individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain competitive employment in the community. The program evaluates job skills and aptitudes using situational assessments. Evaluation results are used to prepare a career plan which is in turn used to develop and obtain a job in the community. Support is gradually withdrawn as the worker becomes accustomed to the job. Periodic monitoring is provided, and additional job coaching may be provided if/when the job changes. This year, 5 received job placement services, and 5 received initial job supports.

Family support and recreation - the purpose of the family support programs is to assist individuals and their families so that the individual can remain in their home in the community. The asd support programs provide life coaching and college navigation services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Fifteen individuals received 1,035 hours of these services this year. The dds/dese program provides staffing, financial and service navigation support to families with a child (up to age 22) with an intellectual or developmental disability to keep the child in the home. This year, 6 families received these services. The agency with choice program allows individuals to self-direct their home or day services. This year, 15 people received 7,435 hours so these services. The arc of opportunity also provided healthy relationships training to 12 individuals. In addition to the above funded services, the arc provides support to individuals and their families through information & referral, public education, support groups and recreational opportunities. Recreational activities provide much needed respite for the caregiver as well as supervision and guidance to the individuals allowing them to participate in activities that might otherwise not be possible. Recreational activities include bowling leagues, day trips, supervised vacation trips, monthly dances and a weekend community activity club.

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