The Arc of Alachua County

The total number of persons served in all residential settings was 97. We served 45 clients with prader-willi syndrome and 37 clients with other intellectual/developmental disabilities in group homes owned or leased by The Arc of Alachua County. The Arc additionally served 15 clients in personal supports which provides services in The client's own home not leased or owned by The Arc and is staffed when The client is home. Lastly, 4 clients were served in supported living where services are provided in The individual's own home and are not staffed when The client is home. Supported living services are provided for an hour or two each day to help with specific tasks such as bill paying, cleaning, grocery shopping, medical appointments, etc. The goal of all residential services is to teach clients self-care, daily living skills, and self-management skills in order to become more independent and self-sufficient. Each client has an individualized plan with goals and objectives specific to his or her own abilities and desire to learn. Objective data is taken on training programs related to these plans. Regular reports are made to oversight agencies and plans are updated at least annually or as The person learns skills and indicates new preferences.

There were 26 clients that earned wages by or through The Arc recycling, production, or supported employment programs. The recycling program includes secure document destruction, paper bailing, and The sale of these products to wholesale dealers. The production program assembles and packages materials for local companies such as The Alachua County sheriff's office, regeneration technologies, and crom corporation. The goal of The contracts and work programs is The employment of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilties who might otherwise have a difficult time finding and keeping employment in The private sector.

A total of 96 clients participated in The life skills development program. These are non-work training programs which typically take place at The Arc's main facility during The day. Clients who attend The program focus on self-care, daily living skills, exercise, proper nutrition, arts and crafts, and socialization activities. The life skills development program operates for 6 hours each weekday. Clients are transported to The main facility five days per week from their homes and returned to their homes at The end of The day.