Children’s Residence Program
The Children's Residential Program in Woodbury operates 24 hour, 7 a days a week basis, 12 months a year. The Program serves 32 children and adolescents with autism and/or developmental disabilities between the ages of five and twenty-one and offers services to children who need a structured life-style and the continuity of a specialized program on a 24 hour basis.
All students who live in Residence attend the Children's Day Program located on the Woodbury Campus. Referrals for both programs come from individual school districts. The intent of the program is to foster the independence and growth of all students.
The Program
Programming includes communication skills, personal hygiene and grooming, domestic skills, effective use of leisure time, family and community living and socialization. The Residential Program is also designed to provide opportunities for life long learning as well as employment and recreational opportunities. We promote ownership and accountability through informed choices. With the guidance and support of our direct support staff our students are encouraged every day to reach their goals. Individuals are taught responsibilities that come with helping others and giving back to the community. Goals are established to help motivate positive behavior, foster a sense of belonging to a
group and assist in building self-esteem.
Accommodations
The children in the program live in four separate apartments with eight students in each apartment. The apartments include; four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a laundry room, large living room and dining room, plus a kitchen. Students are placed in each apartment with consideration to abilities and age. The apartments are staffed with three direct support staff during day hours, overnight shifts have one staff person in each apartment. Supervisor's oversee all shifts, including overnights.
Clinical Services
Clinical services include a medical department with nursing staff, and regular visits/consultations by a primary care physician and a psychiatrist. Direct support staff escort students to additional medical appointments as needed.
Therapist
The children's residential program has a full-time recreational therapist, who works on fine and gross motor skills, along with socialization skills. On ground activities take place in the apartments, the gym, or the two outside recreational areas. During the summer, students can utilize the pool under the supervision of a certified lifeguard. The students also partake in activities in our community. Children’s Residence is a member of the Teddy Roosevelt Scouts Champions Program, the Town of Oyster Bay Group Activities Program (GAP), who organizes swim and bowling programs along with additional social activities. We also have an organized basketball team who practice and compete on a skills level with other agency teams. Our recreation therapist also organizes weekend getaways several times per year.
Behavioral Specialist
Children's residence has a full time behavioral specialist. Psychological services include individualized behavior plans, treatment team meetings, and coordination of services between the day program and residential program. Staff members go through initial and ongoing training in crisis management, therapeutic techniques, medical in-services, recreation, and behavioral techniques.
For more information on The Center’s Children’s Residential Program, contact the Director of Children’s Residential Program, Joanne Weigl at 516-921-7650, ext. 425 / 427, or email: jweigl@centerfor.com
