Summer amusement enthusiasts Christie Casebolt and Ashley Edwards formulate Point/Arc's Mature Learning Day Regime
The Point/Arc's Adult Day Training Program: A Comprehensive Approach to Community Inclusion
The Point/Arc, a renowned organisation founded in 1972 by parents advocating for the educational rights of children with intellectual disabilities, continues to make a significant impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities. With 19 years of dedicated service, Christe Casebolt plays a pivotal role in The Point/Arc's mission to help people achieve their highest potential.
The organisation operates sixteen residential homes and heads the Adult Day Training (ADT) Program, which caters to six individuals aged between 21 and their 50s. The ADT Program, open five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., is designed to provide a stimulating and engaging environment for its participants.
Ashley Edwards, serving The Point/Arc for seven years, shares a similar passion for the cause. With a personal connection to special needs, as her grandmother was a Special Education teacher, Ashley has devoted her career to making a difference in the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The ADT Program focuses on community inclusion, aiming to help individuals build rapport, make friends, and become more involved in their community. Outings for the program include visits to the YMCA, libraries, museums, animal shelters, homeless shelters, food pantries, and sporting events.
Activities offered in the ADT Program are diverse and tailored to the participants' interests. These include volunteer work, life skills (grocery shopping, finance handling), exercise (water exercise, chair yoga, walking), and various outings. The schedule for the program changes daily to provide a variety of activities, with two outings per day, one in the morning session and one after lunch.
Participants are given the opportunity to select activities from a schedule sent in advance, ensuring they remain engaged and excited about their daily activities. The Point/Arc also takes the safety and well-being of its participants seriously, always checking in with them before each outing to ensure they are enjoying the activities.
In addition to managing the ADT Program, Ashley Edwards also oversees the medical equipment for residential homes and manages vehicle maintenance and residential needs. Recruitment for the program is done by sending flyers to Behavior Specialists and Case Managers.
The Point/Arc's mission extends beyond government funding, identifying and filling gaps in services to help individuals achieve their highest potential educationally, socially, residentially, and vocationally. This commitment to community inclusion and personal growth makes The Point/Arc an invaluable resource for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
