- Who might be interested in this program?
- How do I apply for services?
- How much does it cost to attend for the participants and their families?
- What kind of program is offered?
- Where are the Adult Action Centers located?
- Will C.E.R.T.S. provide transportation to and from the centers?
- How is the program staffed?
- Who manages and is responsible for the program?
- Why does the Board of Directors of C.E.R.T.S. believe the Adult Action Centers are needed?
Who might be interested in this program?
C.E.R.T.S. Adult Action Center was developed for young adults with severe disabilities who were transitioning out of school into adult life. While we do not restrict our applicants to this demographic, the program offerings are developed around this target audience. The emphasis is on retaining skills recent graduates learned in school and adding to them, as well as introducing new opportunities to participants. For more information, attached is the C.E.R.T.S. 2020 Admission-Discharge Criteria.
How do I apply for services?
Before applying for services to any day program, it is strongly recommended that you visit several possible locations to determine which offers the best fit for your loved one. Once the determination of program has been made, all applicants must go through the Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) to apply for day habilitation services. This process has recently changed. Please click the link to find more information for participant applications.
How much does it cost to attend for the participants and their families?
C.E.R.T.S. will accept the reimbursement level that is provided by the State of Delaware through the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) for all participants who have been given an ICAP assessment and are approved for services. The cost for services is typically funded by Medicaid or a Medicaid waiver with no direct cost to families. We encourage participants to apply for eligibility under this state provision.
What kind of program is offered?
The C.E.R.T.S. Adult Action Centers are day habilitation programs with emphasis on individualized, movement oriented activities, allowing maximum involvement and choice.
Methodology:
- Individualized programming tailored to the abilities and interests of each participant.
- Mobility opportunities (MOVE® for Adults www.move-international.org)
- Cooperative staff planning and execution toward desired functional outcomes
- The use of assistive technology to enhance communication
- Community outings to enjoy fresh air, enjoy hobbies and purchase needed items
- Proactive therapies (physical and occupational)
- Meaningful peer interaction
- Individual, Parental and family participation encouraged
Programming:
Each participant’s program is formulated in a Life Style Plan (LSP). In addition, a MOVE® for Adults Assessment is completed upon admission to determine plans and goals for mobility.
General programming includes:
- Mobility and movement: see MOVE® for Adults.
- Daily living: personal hygiene (dressing and grooming), eating and food preparation
- Recreation: games, music, art, sports, physical fitness, gardening and photography
- Community skills: social interaction such as shopping, library, attendance at social events, and community outreach opportunities
Also, you can refer to the Services Provided page to find out more.
Where are the Adult Action Centers located?
C.E.R.T.S. has two Adult Action Centers in Delaware: one is in New Castle County Click here for Google Map of New Castle County site, and the other is in Kent County Click here for Google Map of Kent County site. Please refer to the contact us page for more information.
Will C.E.R.T.S. provide transportation to and from the centers?
C.E.R.T.S. does not provide daily transportation to and from the Adult Action Centers for participants. Families/group homes are responsible for arranging this. Currently, participants are transported in these three ways:
- DART Paratransit (an application must be completed and approved if not already done)
- Logisticare (a regional dispatch company working with a network of private transportation companies to provide an alternative to Paratransit)
- Family members/group homes can drive the participant to and from the Adult Action Center
Note: transportation is provided by C.E.R.T.S., Inc. for community outings.
How is the program staffed?
At both centers, the ratio of direct support staff (Program Associates) to participants is below the state requirement of 1:5 while in the facility. On community outings, the ratio is 1:1. Not included in the ratio, Senior Team staff involved in direct participant support is the Director of Nursing, the Program Manager, the Program Nurse and a bus driver in New Castle. The Kent County site has a Program Coordinator who is an LPN who also provides supervision of direct care staff. Both sites share the Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director and the Operations & Human Resources Manager. Therapies are subcontracted.
Who manages and is responsible for the program?
C.E.R.T.S. is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation with mission, vision and direction provided by a Board of Directors representing educational professionals, parents of adults with disabilities, and the business community. The Adult Action Centers are managed by the Executive Director who reports to the President of the Board and, along with the Senior Staff, is responsible for delivery of daily services to participants at both Adult Action Centers, supervision of staff, fundraising and full implementation of all federal and state standards, policies, and procedures.
Why does the Board of Directors of C.E.R.T.S. believe the Adult Action Centers are needed?
Activities and supports provided at the C.E.R.T.S. Adult Action Centers reflects the changing world of people with disabilities as explained below:
- Due to improved health care, people with severe disabilities are living longer. Nearby medical institutions like the A.I. DuPont/Nemours Hospital for Children and the Kennedy Kreeger Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital are pioneers in developing therapies and medications designed specifically to counteract the traditional life-threatening ailments of medically fragile individuals.
- Assistive technology is transforming the world of people with disabilities. From prosthetics that substitute for missing physical functions to speaking devices that give the power of speech to those who have never before had it, computer-driven technology is creating a web of physical and social support not previously available.
- Educational breakthroughs in the field of special education are allowing teachers and therapists to design highly individualized educational plans for a wide variety of students. An increasing number of teachers and specialists are being educated in these state-of-the-art methodologies.
- Other day programs are not able to support many of the individuals who currently attend the C.E.R.T.S. Adult Action Centers due to the high level of care needed by the participants. C.E.R.T.S. was founded to offer services to those whose needs would not be met elsewhere.
We use assistive technology, nursing and individualized support plans in order to ensure the participants of C.E.R.T.S. enjoy a personalized, active day program.
