Community Support – Morning Session The Community Support Program Morning Session is a day treatment/habilitation program that operates in a small group setting. The staffing pattern includes two additional “floating” staff assigned to rotate between consumers as needed and provide 1:1 time and assistance. This program offers close supervision and individualized attention. Smaller groups allow staff to focus on treatment plans, which often include increasing communication skills, sensory integration, and physical motor skills. Once a week, community outings are offered to each consumer.

Community Support – Afternoon Session

The Community Support Program Afternoon Session is a day treatment/ habilitation program structured in small and/or large groups. Each group is assembled based on the needs, abilities, and interests of the participants. Activity is the focus of this program, with weekly outings to practice community skills at shopping centers and restaurants, weekly trips to the YMCA to swim or exercise in the fitness room, monthly trips to the local bowling alley, and additional weekly visits to local libraries. We offer this program at two different sites-one is “in town” and the other a country setting. The main focus of these groups is community integration using the program space only as needed to gather at the beginning and end of the day or to work on cooking skills.

Elders Community Support Program

The Elders Community Support Program is a day treatment/ habilitation program serving mainly, but not exclusively older participants. The consumers of this program tend to have more sedentary activity preferences. This program is able to off an additional “floating” staff person available for extra assistance and 1:1 time, in addition to the two regular positions staffing the program. Routine sing-alongs with musical instruments, assorted crafts, puzzles, reminiscence materials, and holiday themed projects tend to be popular activities offered to the participants.

The focus for many in this group is maintaining skills and to maintain/build mental acuity.

Haven Community Support Program

The Haven Community Support Program is a unique day treatment/habilitation program offered in a structured large group format. The focus of the program is group dynamics and developing social and independent living skills. The staff guides the topics of the group and brings in entertaining and interesting activities specific to the “theme” of discussion. Some examples of skill building group activities include voting responsibilities, community service, grocery shopping, problem solving and emergency skills. The program also offers a weekly cooking class.

Art Classes

Art classes are a very important part of all the abovementioned habilitation programs. We have on staff an experienced artist. During art class concepts and techniques of art are applied to the activity presented to the group. The lesson is taught using step-by-step guidance and positive reinforcement for all efforts. Throughout the process freedom of expression, attention span, ability to follow directions and self-esteem are developed. Some of the art generated in these classes is then reproduced, marketed, displayed and offered for sale with 50% of the purchase price returning to the artist. Consumers share that they love art time—they have great fun expressing themselves and demonstrate pride in their work.

Services Provided

• Daily assistance in learning skills needed to be independent in all activities of daily living, including but not limited to: self care, cooking, cleaning, budgeting and decision making.
• Developing social skills and working to minimize any interfering behaviors.
• Promoting community integration/inclusion and encouraging safe and appropriate interactions with other community members.
• Assisting in developing/enhancing communication skills, fine and gross motor skills and sensory integration.
• Maintaining current abilities and increasing self-esteem by understanding and promoting personal strengths.
• Advocating and making referrals as needed.
• Providing the opportunity for group and individual discussions, support and practice on personal goals.
• Assisting with personal care as needed.
• Providing highly individualized services through the development and updates of treatment plans.

Eligibility

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Must have been diagnosed with Intellectual or Developmental Disability/AXIS II
• Must be eligible and approved for MaineCare Home and Community Based Waiver or have private funding
• Must be able to maintain a stable/safe behavior during program hours
• Must comply with referral and admission process
• Must have transportation available

Referral Process

For more information contact the Director of Charlotte White Center’s Community Support Programs at (207) 564-2464 ext. 125.