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INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Program has a long history of serving the community. The program has had multiple locations over its 50-year history all within the South Hills of Pittsburgh. In July of 2015 the Dormont location became the new home to the IDD programs. Since then, both programs operate to meet the needs and interests of the population served.
Achievement Program
The Achievement Program was formerly known as the Employment Training Center. The name change better reflects the focus of the program which supports all efforts to achieve independence. Within the program, participants pursue personal goals, and all success is celebrated. The focus is on daily living, health and safety, community integration and the interests of the group. Popular activities include exercise groups, crafts, games such as Family Feud, UNO, Pictionary, Steeler Toss, bowling and access to computer games and puzzles.
Choice Center
Formerly known as the Senior Center, the Choice Center celebrates everyone’s ability to make choices. Participants in the program make it their choice to attend and chose the types of activities to participate in based on their level of interest. Favorite activities include cooking, socialization, body movement and stretching especially dancing along to the Wii games, playing cards, crafts and access to computer games
The participants in the Achievement Program and Choice Center have personal goals that focus on cognitive skills, hygiene, fine and gross motor skills. The individuals socialize with peers and staff and participate in group meetings sharing the highlights of their day. Everyone enjoys the opportunities for community participation such as trips to the movies, the mall, grocery store, bowling, walks throughout the neighborhood, monthly lessons from the Trail Blazers group including the annual Pine Derby races and visits to Camp Guyasuta. The program welcomes visits from therapy dogs and local student groups.
THE FORWARD TOGETHER PROJECT
The Forward Together Project is a 100% community-based, person-centered, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism program serving Allegheny and Washington Counties. This innovative program focuses on finding meaningful activities for individuals to participate in and become active members of their communities and neighborhoods.
Chartiers Center’s Forward Together Project creates and fosters partnerships that encourage inclusion, meaningful connections, and personal growth through social, vocational, and recreational activities within the communities of adults with IDD.
To achieve this, we ask our individuals important questions such as:
• What matters to them?
• What do they need?
• What do they want to learn or should learn?
• How do they want to spend their day?
• Where do they want to go?
• Who would they like to work or volunteer with?
Program Benefits
1:3 group ratio: Smaller groups lead to more personalized attention to skills building and selecting the activities our individuals are interested in.
Personalized skills building and activity planning: From learning to do laundry, ride public transportation, budgeting, and more, our program gives participants individualized attention to improve skills to build confidence and live independently.
Build natural supports: Developing relationships with the members in their own communities so they can create an organic support system from within.
Person-centered activities: Whether it’s making new friends, finding new hobbies, cooking, or volunteering, our program focuses on what our individuals are passionate about.
Advocates for civil rights: Supports basic civil rights such as personal freedom, choice, and self-determination through a person-centered approach.
Referrals
Chartiers Center’s IDD Program has streamlined our referral process and the intake packet. For ISC’s looking to make referrals, please complete the new 1 page referral form. IDD Referral Form
For questions related to the program and/or the referrals process, please contact Bryan Reis, Director of IDD Day Program, at 412-344-7025 or BReis@chartierscenter.org.