Spectrum provides community-based day
programs that complement our residential service.
A noteworthy feature of our day
programs is the number of participants
who are involved in
some form of work. Some are supported
to do volunteer work with organizations
like Meals on Wheels or the
S.P.C.A.; others have contracts to do
recycling, cleaning or office assistance;
a few have part-time competitive employment. Many
of the people we support
work at paid or
volunteer jobs, which is significant given
that almost none had been
involved in the workforce prior to
entering Spectrum's services.
As with our residential programs, day
programs are tailor-made to suit the
needs of each individual.
The range of activities
is as varied as the
people themselves, and may
include recreational activities, lifeskills
training, supported work, or continuing
education courses. We pair
people with common interests to make
efficient use of staffing and
vehicles, so cooperation between homes
and on-going communication
about individual programs is essential.
Spectrum currently operates three different day programs (see links at top of this page for more information on each):
Bridges: a program for young adults in transition to greater independence
Graffiti: leisure-based activities for small groups of participants
Community day programs: community recreation and lifeskills based from the individual's home
A unique feature of Spectrum’s
programs
is our integrated staffing model. We have
worked to eliminate the traditional
conflicts between day and residential programs
that prevail in this field. To
ensure continuity of programming and
optimal communication among team members, most
of the staff and managers
in our community day
program work a combination
of day and residential shifts, including
weekends.
Spectrum is known for assisting people with complex challenges to be actively engaged in all aspects of community life. We have particular interest and expertise supporting individuals who have challenging behavior, dual diagnoses, and high health care:
Challenging behavior and dual
diagnoses: our support focuses on developing positive behavioral patterns and stabilizing mental health. Typically the individual requires some professional support, such as a pharmacologist or psychiatrist to conduct medication reviews, or a behavioral therapists to design specialized behavior management programs. In collaboration with the individual, the family and professional team, we will thoroughly assess the person's needs and design instructional programs and community-based activities that increase their repertoire of appropriate skills. We also provide staff training specific to the individual's needs, including Non-violent Crisis Intervention. Other inservice sessions such as communication and program design are offered and access to literature and other resources is assured.
High health care: As above, but with emphasis on programming to maintain or improve the individual’s physical well-being. As with all our day programs, we provide as much access to the community as possible, emphasizing healthy activities that promote physical well-being. Spectrum has supported a number of older individuals to remain active and to continue living in their homes instead of moving into long term care facilities, by working closely with community health providers and adapting routines to meet the person's changing needs.
Finally, we have a number of small one-to-one contracts to support individuals living on their own or with family members. The focus
varies from one person to another, depending on individual circumstances: for example, one person may live independently and only require a few hours per week of service to plan a weekly budget and make appointments; someone else might live semi-supported and require daily support from a worker to access the community. In every instance, this type of support requires close cooperation with the individual’s family and support network. Families who want their son or daughter to continue living at home can benefit from a service which augments the family’s support to the individual.
For more information, contact Ray Hunter,
Coordinator of Day Programs