C.E.R.T.S., Inc. Adult Action Center

C.E.R.T.S., Inc., was founded by a group of parents, professionals, educators, legislators, community members and agency representatives committed to providing a research-based, quality program for young adults with multiple, severe disabilities. The Adult Action Center was created to focus on providing life-enriching experiences and encouraging the highest level of independence possible.

The Adult Action Center opened its doors on October 16, 2006, with 4 participants. The program was located in donated space at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

By October, 2007, we outgrew our space at the Church and began leasing space in our current location at Exceptional Care for Children located in Newark, DE.

BACKGROUND

When students with disabilities turn 21, they are no longer able to attend the public school system and all of the supports and services to which they are entitled cease abruptly.  These most vulnerable young adults are placed in the adult service system, which is based on the amount of state funds available and the services for which the individual is deemed to be eligible. 

Simply put, there are very few options available for families who have an adult child with severe, multiple disabilities that is “graduating” or transitioning from the school program to their adult life.  Often times the adult child remains at home all day.  This is a very boring and non-stimulating environment for the young adult, who is used to the interactive, learning environment at school.  There are not many opportunities to keep the skills they learned in school, much less add to those life skills.  In addition, with this scenario, the family must make alternative care arrangements now that the adult child is no longer in school.  This could mean that a parent must quit their job to provide care, or they must pay for expensive nursing or other qualified caregivers due to the nature of the family member’s disabilities.  In addition, the parents of these young adults have been lifting and providing the daily physical care for their child for 21 years.  They are now aging care givers with bodies that are beginning to break down.  These parents are beginning to realize they will not be able to continue to do this indefinitely.  It is very important that they find a safe, stimulating program for their loved one now that he or she is no longer in the school system.  

 

Research conducted at the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies has concluded “In Delaware, there is little opportunity for transitioning students and adults with disabilities to engage in recreational, life skills, and educational activities beyond high school.” (Report from Dr. Michael Gamel-McCormick to the Adult Transition Services Committee, Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens, November 17, 2003).

 

In response to the above noted challenges, C.E.R.T.S., Inc. was founded by a group of concerned parents of children with disabilities and professionals in the field of disabilities.  After many years of development and preparation, due diligence and study of best practices across the United States, the Adult Action Center opened its doors in October 2006. (The Adult Action Center is the name of the day program that C.E.R.T.S. created.) This program provides a smooth transition from school to adulthood for young adults with severe, multiple disabilities by providing stimulating programming which maintains/improves each participant’s skills and quality of life by:

• Keeping and building upon skills already taught in the school system
• Providing a safe and nurturing environment
• Creating individualized programming (person-centered planning).