Good News Friday!

For almost 50 years, Imagine! has provided thousands of people with cognitive and developmental disabilities the tools and support that have allowed them to become successful citizens and contributing members of our community.

Often, however, we become so wrapped up in our work that we fail to pause and reflect on our accomplishments. So today, I’d like to share some statistics on the services we provided in 2011 to give you a sense of the depth and breadth of what we do.

Last year, Imagine!:

• helped 835 babies and toddlers with developmental disabilities or delays progress toward their individual developmental goals (e.g., improved communication skills, improved fine or gross motor skills, and/or improved social skills) through occupational, speech, and physical therapies;

• supervised foster placements for 48 children whose special needs could not be met by their birth parents;

• helped 72 school-aged children with developmental disabilities to learn vital socialization skills to help them to participate more fully in society, while affording their parents the peace of mind that comes with safe and appropriate childcare during work hours, through after school, summer camp, and school closure day programs; 
 
• helped parents of 54 children with autism spectrum disorders to select and pay for services such as behavioral, speech, or occupational therapy;

• provided financial support to the families of 34 children with extraordinary needs who were waitlisted for services; 
  
• provided information and referrals to services to more than 1,300 families providing at-home care of a person with a developmental disability;

• helped caregivers of 360 individuals with developmental disabilities living at home to pay for the services and supports that were most important to their families, such as respite care, medical or dental care, therapies, or devices to help the individual with special needs function better at school or work;

• oversaw host home placements for 83 adults with developmental disabilities;

• promoted the growth, development, and safety of 316 local adults with developmental disabilities by enabling them to participate in enriching and therapeutic activities in the community, through day programs, classes, and special outings; 
 
• provided job training, placement, coaching, and supervision for 104 adults with developmental disabilities;

• provided comprehensive mental health services to 218 individuals with dual (mental illness/developmental disability) diagnoses;

• provided a broad range of behavioral health services to 102 individuals, and educated their parents and caregivers about ways to build cooperative behavior; and

• provided residential services to a total of 67 adults with developmental disabilities in staffed settings – from support and supervision for 16 individuals living semi-independently to 24-hour comprehensive care for 39 individuals with more complex needs, including seniors and medically fragile individuals.

An impressive list, to be sure! We are proud of what we have achieved and we have no intention of resting on our laurels. We will continue to move forward with our mission, creating and offering innovative programs and services that allow our consumers to live fulfilling lives of independence and quality.