Empowerment and the support of personal choice and self-direction has become somewhat of a hallmark for the Developmental Services Division of American Training.
– Survey and Certification
The Mission of the Developmental Services Division is to affirm the dignity of all guests and residents, and support their right to participate in their communities as productive workers and valued neighbors and friends. We support activities that empower our guests and residents to initiate ideas, make choices and decisions, and share in resources of the community.
The Developmental Services Division has three components:
The Options Program
Our Options Program is an innovative concept designed to provide our guests with meaningful and productive days. Each guest’s “Meaningful Day” may consist of a mix of employment, leisure/recreation, volunteer opportunities, community participation, and educational pursuits.
We work closely with each guest and their families/care providers to determine what opportunities will be the best fit. The perfect day will look different for each guest and will be customized to provide stimulation and promote success.
Assessments are completed with each guest to assist them in developing their goals. Meaningful Day activities are then designed to assist the guest in reaching their goals in a safe and supportive environment with the ultimate objective of fostering participation in their community.
Following are some examples of Meaningful Day activities:
- Career exploration and job placement, including on-going job support and training.
- Supported employment; working with a group of colleagues in a supervised work setting.
- Community volunteer opportunities.
- Education and instruction geared directly to the attainment of specific goals.
- Self-advocacy groups and activities.
- Community activities at the YMCA, local libraries, museums, and more.
The Options Program is unique because we are able to offer guests a combination of employment and day-habilitation services. The Options Program allows us to design a program to meet each guest’s unique needs.
Here’s an example:
One guest has a job at Market Basket three days a week bagging groceries. This guest loves animals and would like to care for animals. He is able to volunteer one day a week at the MSPCA as part of the Options Program. He also has challenges with communication. The Options Program gives him access to consultation services with a speech therapist. The consulting speech therapist is able to design a program to assist this guest with his communication needs.
What businesses and organizations do our Options Program guests work with?
For Individual Employment: Market Basket, Chili’s, Harrison’s, University Cap and Gown, Papa Gino, Bertucci’s, BJ’s, Rolling Ridge, Holiday Inn, Chunky’s, ACT (Affordable Computer Technologies), X-Ray Associates, Proxy, Domino’s, Target, Burger King, and more.
For Supported Employment (Enclaves): Ye Olde Pepper Candy Shoppe, Lawrence General Hospital, Lowell Sun, Ravensburger Puzzle Company, and more.
For Volunteer Opportunities: Cor Unum Meal Center, The Wish Project, MSPCA @ Nevins Farm, Mary Immaculate, Nursing Center, Little Sprouts, and more.
Contact
Gail Roberts
Director of Options Services
Office: 978-685-2151, ext. 169
Locations
102 Glenn Street, Lawrence, MA 01843
150 Industrial Way, Lowell, MA 01852
107 Audubon Rd, Building 1, Wakefield, MA 01880
Day Hab
Day Hab is designed to improve communication and self-help skills in both traditional and innovative settings. We concentrate on sensorimotor development, communication development, social development, independent living development, affective development, and behavior development. We provide nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy.
Day Hab is a program for people with a wide range of abilities, interests, and skills. We work to promote our guests’ therapeutic, medical, and clinical needs. Activities are designed to address the developmental needs of each guest. Although the activities are goal-specific, they are also meaningful and functional to each guest, offering a fun yet challenging component to their day.
Each Day Hab program is staffed with quality in mind. Our highly-trained staff members are not just skilled at working with our guests, but also are compassionate and caring to their needs. Our overall philosophy is to provide professional quality support services with a focus on skill development, medical management, and therapeutic interventions.
Nursing
Our registered and licensed practical nurses assist and support guests to meet medical and personal needs. Whatever those requirements may be — nutrition, seizure care and support, diabetic concerns, etc. — our nurses make guests’ medical needs their top priority.
Therapy
Registered, licensed therapists, as consultants, help establish the individual developmental goals for each guest encompassing individual interests, needs, and preferences. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behavior specialists.
Guests may require support with speech, and occupational and physical therapy to strengthen their skills. On-site, we have certified therapy aides (PT, COTA, and rehab) providing ongoing support to assist in meeting the goals established by the consultants. Along with regular scheduled hours, all of our therapists are available for consultation. Whether it is for a broken wheelchair, dietary needs, special equipment, or behavioral concerns, our aim is to address the needs of our guests.
Day-to-Day Therapeutic Fun
Each day starts with a morning meeting to discuss the day’s events. Guests have the opportunity to choose the activities they want to participate in. All activities are designed to meet the therapeutic goals outlined for Day Hab programming. Activities such as exercise, fitness, health and wellness, craft projects, puzzles, gardening, and cooking are just a few of the fun and therapeutic opportunities our guests may participate in throughout the day.
Our programs also utilize outside resources such as MSPCA Volunteer Projects, YMCA, fashion shows, libraries, and more.
Contact
Gail Roberts
Director of Day Habilitation Services
Office: 978-685-2151, ext. 173
Locations
150 Industrial Way, Lowell, MA 01852
11 Ballard Way, Lawrence, MA 01843
107 Audubon Road, Building 1, Wakefield, MA 01880
Residential Options: Home and Support Services
Homes are built around learning, community participation, health and safety, and independence through an atmosphere incorporating choices while having fun.
There’s no place like an American Training home…
Residential Options provides residential support services to over 50 individuals throughout the Merrimack Valley. Some of these individuals live in group-living environments, while others live in apartments with a roommate. We also support people who live in their own homes, tailoring our services to their particular needs. All our residential support services are geared towards affirming the dignity of all individuals and defend their right to participate in their communities as productive workers and valued neighbors and friends.
Individuals are afforded the opportunity to customize their living situation to their own preferences, aspirations, and goals. They choose how they spend their time, where they go, and who they go with. Supports are offered to people around managing their own money, taking medication as prescribed, preparing healthy meals, pursuing leisure options, community membership, and leading a full and meaningful life.
American Training provides specialized nursing and clinical services as need dictates. Residential Options works closely with community medical providers to ensure that medical treatment aligns with people’s vision of their lives and needs.
Residential Options FAQ:
1) How do I get my family member into an American Training Residential Program?
People who live in Residential Options are eligible for services through the Department of Developmental Services and are referred through the area office.
2) What kinds of activities do people do on weekends?
People do all kinds of things, like go to the movies, go out to dinner, concerts, sporting events, visit friends, and pursue leisure activities that interest them.
3) How long can people live in a residential program?
Our programs are designed for people to live in their homes as long as physically possible. Many people will live out their lives in the same home, while others, because of specific health issues, may need to move to a more supported setting. Extreme care is taken to match a residential program to the person with the idea of establishing a lifelong home.
4) Who funds the home?
Funding is provided through the Department of Developmental Services and people themselves contribute financially to their homes through their social security entitlement payments.
Locations
Methuen, Haverhill, Lawrence,
Newburyport, Andover, and North Andover
Contact
Steve Pellerin
Director of Residential Services
Office: 978-685-2151, ext. 117
