LIFE, Inc. Adult DDA Program   What does LIFE, Inc.’s Adult DDA Program intend to accomplish? Living Independently Forever, Inc. provides center-, home-, and community-based developmental therapy program for adults living with developmental disAbilities. Our Adult DDA Services Program functions to provide adults living with developmental disAbilities the opportunity to experience quality training and developmental growth in a variety of settings, which promote community inclusion and participation, relationship building with peers, and positive social behaviors…while taking part in fun and enjoyable activities. Services are also geared toward meeting specific needs of families, as we understand the ability to access needed services support families to function in the most positive, productive manner possible. Our program focus on the concepts of community integration, inclusion, volunteerism (or, citizenship). LIFE, Inc. strongly feels our agency’s employees and participants should proactively make efforts to interact with and support our local community through various citizenship and volunteer activities. These activities provide participants in our program the opportunity to develop functional skills, form relationships with others, integrate into normalized community locations and activities, as well as, take pride and gain self-esteem in assisting others less fortunate or in need of a helping hand! What is Developmental Therapy? Developmental therapy consists of intensive skills training to assist adults to improve functional skill level, achieve independence, and increase abilities related to self-help skills, mobility, learning, receptive and expressive language, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency, as well as, decrease maladaptive behaviors. What is Home-Based developmental therapy? Home-Based developmental therapy assists the adult to achieve goals in the home-based setting by training skills related to dressing, hygiene and grooming, bathing, toileting, basic meal preparation, and attending to basic household maintenance tasks and responsibility for personal belongings. What is Center-Based developmental therapy? Center-Based developmental therapy assists the adult to develop functional skills in a safe, controlled environment, which will be utilized in a variety of settings. Center-Based supports assist the adult to access and meet goals in the school and community settings, by assisting the adult to remain on task, follow directions, follow routines and schedules, request assistance and support as needed, and appropriately interact and form relationship with peers. What is Community-Based developmental therapy? Community-Based developmental therapy assists the adult to achieve goals in the community, by promoting personal safety skills, appropriate interactions and relationships with peers in the community setting, eating in public, accessing transportation, increasing shopping and social skills, and identifying strangers. Can I access each type of developmental therapy (i.e. home-, community-, center-based)? YES! The type and amount of developmental therapy services and supports you can access are determined by assessment and evaluation, as well as, person-centered planning meetings, which include the participant (you), parents, family, natural supports, targeted service coordinator(s) and/or plan developer and plan monitor, LIFE, Inc. professional staff, etc. The individual (you) may access a combination of home-, community-, and center-based services and supports up to twenty-two (22) hours per week. What if I only want to access one type of developmental therapy…is this possible? YES! If you feel you would benefit from only center-based developmental therapy… a specific program, geared to meet your needs will be developed to achieve those goals. Do I qualify for developmental therapy services and supports? To qualify for developmental therapy services and supports, the individual must suffer from a developmental disAbility defined as (1) an impairment such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, or other condition found to be closely related or similar to one of these impairments that requires similar treatment or services; or, is attributable to dyslexia resulting from impairments that are (2) expected to continue indefinitely; and, (3) constitute a substantial handicap to such person’s ability to function normally in society. Would LIFE, Inc. provide transportation to and from program? It depends. The response depends on several factors, including the parent, guardian, or families’ ability to transport you to and from program; specific distance and location; and, pick-up and drop-off times. During the initial intake meeting, the LIFE, Inc. professional will discuss these questions with you. Who would work with me? A Developmental Technician would work directly with you to address developmental therapy programming needs. The Developmental Technician is supported, supervised, and monitored by a LIFE, Inc. Developmental Specialist. A Developmental Specialist is a degreed individual with experience in assessing, evaluating, designing, implementing, and overseeing developmental therapy programming. The Developmental Specialist would be accessible to you to meet, discuss program changes, and provide additional support and information, as needed. All LIFE, Inc. employees complete criminal history background checks through the Department of Health and Welfare prior to initiating employment.