FAMILY SUPPORT
For most of us, going to the grocery store is a weekly errand. For people living with developmental disabilities, grocery shopping can represent a myriad of challenges, including budgeting, securing transportation, safe handling of food, and planning the meal.
AADD's Family Support Services provide an integral support system for families with special needs. Each family is assigned an Outreach Specialist who assists them in identifying needs and preferences for services such as health care, education, housing, transportation, budgets and finances, and employment. Many Outreach Specialists work with the same families for decades, assuring them that their most basic needs and concerns are met with stabilizing continuity.
"People we work with need to know that that somebody loves them and that they do have something to share. We go out and help them with whatever is needed – to find a job, keep bills paid, to meet with teachers and doctors, to talk about the stress. We have compassion for all people. And I know we help keep families together." Betty Dent, AADD Outreach Specialist
In the 20+ years since Outreach Specialist Betty Dent met John and his family, much has changed. With Betty's encouragement and support, John has gone from being afraid and ashamed to being a valued team member at a Piccadilly Cafeteria, where he has worked for almost nine years. He has gone from living in a tiny apartment to being a homeowner. A father of two, John and his wife Janet are celebrating 19 years of marriage. Someday soon, they will celebrate owning their home outright!
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WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
It's estimated that ninety percent of people with intellectual disability are victims of violence or sexual abuse. AADD's groundbreaking program helps women develop the life skills and self-confidence necessary to help prevent themselves and their children from becoming a part of those shocking statistics. This pioneering program is a critical aspect of recovery for these women, since most people with disabilities who experience exploitation or violence never receive counseling or support services following the trauma.
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PROJECT LEAP
Project LEAP empowers its participants to "leap" towards positive parenting. The program provides home-based parent training sessions implemented by a trained Family Intervention Specialist (FIS) and a bi-weekly parent education and support group. The FIS supports parents in identifying and obtaining services needed to attain and maintain a healthy and safe environment for themselves and their families. The education and support group offers parents an opportunity to support each other, network, obtain information and discuss the challenges of parenting in a non-judgmental environment.
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