As young adults with developmental disabilities approach the time when they will no longer be eligible for services through the public school system, they begin a process much like their age-typical peers: taking stock of their interests and abilities, and making decisions about how they will live their lives as adults.
During this transition and throughout the person’s life, RCOC is there to help with the process of identifying and accessing appropriate day program services as the individual’s needs and interests evolve.
The adult day program services provided through RCOC are as diverse as the people who receive them. Work-focused programs, which enable adults with developmental disabilities to earn a paycheck, are increasingly popular choices. Through these programs, people may work side-by-side with typical peers, receiving assistance from a “job coach” who helps them be successful and productive employees. Or, they may perform paid work at a center-based program among others with developmental disabilities.
People with developmental disabilities might also choose to perform volunteer work in the community, or combine paid work with volunteering.
For those who wish to continue their education, adult education is an option that is often provided through nearby community colleges. In addition, a wide range of adult activity centers are available to serve individuals of all ages and interests. Many of these programs focus on building life skills for independence to help the person with disabilities live a more integrated and productive life in the community.
For detailed information about RCOC’s policies for adult day programs, review RCOC’s Purchase of Service Guidelines. These Purchase of Service (POS) Guidelines have been adopted by the Board of Directors to ensure that RCOC exercises good stewardship of the tax dollars it spends on behalf of people with disabilities. RCOC follows these Guidelines when authorizing service requests for people receiving services and families.