Day Habilitation - Where Life Long Learning Happens
Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Day Habilitation Program is our newest program opened in the summer of 2008. It was developed for high need students who graduated from our Chapter 766 School at the age of 22 in response to requests from parents. The program is open to anyone in the community needing our specialized services.
The Day Habilitation program provides a comprehensive managed program of therapies, developmental skills training and assistance with activities of daily living for adults with developmental disabilities in the context of a supportive, caring environment. Recognizing that many participants will have complex disabilities requiring complex clinical and medical supports, the Kennedy-Donovan Center Day Habilitation program will provide the medical oversight and coordination of services necessary to assure their optimal well being and success in the community.
Services
Kennedy-Donovan Center is committed to the provision of all services necessary to meet the needs of the program recipients. Kennedy-Donovan Center Day Habilitation will provide medical oversight, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy on site. Participants will be offered developmental skills training in the following areas:
• Sensory-motor development
• Communication development
• Social development
• Independent living development
• Affective development
• Behavior development
The program will also draw upon the extensive resources of the New Bedford area for a variety of enriching activities to allow participants to have their skills training needs addressed in natural settings to facilitate opportunities for increased participation in their community. As an example, clients choosing to go out to lunch to a local restaurant will work on social, communication and independent living skills in the context of a naturally occurring community activity that serves to strengthen their ties to their home community.
About the Program
The program occupies a 4500 square foot area of our
modern, accessible building. Participants can enjoy a
separate entrance, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, offices, therapy areas and spacious consumer training areas
as well as an enclosed outdoor area.
The Kennedy-Donovan Center Day Habilitation Program operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday,
52 weeks per year, excluding holidays. Participants may choose to attend from one to five days a week depending upon their needs and preferences.
Staff
The Kennedy-Donovan Day Habilitation Program offers Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech/Language and Behavior Management services available on site. In
addition to the interdisciplinary team, the program employs a full-time Program Director/Administrator and a Health-Care Supervisor. Experienced and highly qualified
para-professionals are employed as required to meet
the needs of the participants
Assistive Technology
Participants will have access to up-to-date computers with internet access and adapted access methods as well as a wide range of augmentative communication systems suited to their individual needs.
Referral Process and Funding
Individuals who would benefit from the services offered by the program should be referred to the Program Director
who will arrange for a comprehensive assessment by the
professional interdisciplinary team. In addition, the services must be prescribed by the client's primary care physician.
If found to be appropriate for the program, a Day Habilitation Service plan will be developed as a cooperative effort between the professional interdisciplinary team, the recipient and his family and/guardians.
Day Habilitation Services are covered by MassHealth when prescribed by a member's physician. Other funding options can be discussed on a case-by-case basis as required.
- Day Habilitation Program - brochure
9 Hawthorn Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-1757
Fax 508-999-5367
Services includemedical oversight, physical therapy,occupational therapy, and speech therapy.