The Center of Hope Foundation, Inc. currently operates three Day Habilitation (Day Hab) Programs in Southbridge and Sturbridge, MA serving adults from Northeastern Connecticut (CT) and Central Massachusetts (MA). 

Our programs all differ in structure to meet the needs of the individuals served. Learn which program would be the best fit for you.

The Center of Hope Day Habilitation program is in our main facility, 1 North Street, Southbridge, MA. This program provides support to individuals with a wide variety of needs and abilities.

Daily skills training promotes healthy eating, community safety, money skills, men’s and women’s groups, kitchen workshop, fine motor, and independent living skills.

Community outreach and integration are an important part of this program. Program members utilize the Tri-Community YMCA for swimming, basketball, and exercise, local bowling alleys for weekly bowling trips, and enjoy local shops and businesses. To promote reverse integration, individuals from the community come into the program from drum circles and creative writing sessions.

Monthly house meetings give staff and program members the to voice their ideas and input in creating the monthly calendar. These meetings are also an opportunity for program members to take an active role in programmatic development.

There are opportunities for program members to complete volunteer and vocational work through our Employment Supports Program.

Email: MLuukko@thecenterofhope.org
Phone: 508-764-4085 Ext 631
Direct Dial: 508-909-7979
Direct Fax: 855-878-2607

Sturbridge Day Hab, located at 23 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA, is the most recent addition to our programs. The mission of this day program is for individuals attending to make daily decisions and create schedules based on their interests and skill sets.

Community outreach and integration are an important part of this program, offering a variety of community-based activities aligned with life skills trainings that are facilitated within the program. To encourage volunteerism and community-based activities geared toward physical activity, there is a 4-week rotating schedule that allows program members an equal opportunity to sign up for these popular sites.

To promote reverse integration, a variety of activities are held within the program with members from community including but not limited to drum circles, creative writing sessions, healthy relationship seminars, and cyberbullying and internet safety seminars.

Monthly house meetings allow participants to have an active role in how their calendar schedule looks for the upcoming month and can give requests for programmatic ideas. Monthly staffing meetings address safety topics, human rights, and programmatic changes.

 

Many of the individuals served in this program are supported with split funding sources providing vocational opportunities through the agency’s Employment Supports Department. 

Email: ARebello@thecenterofhope.org
Phone: 508-764-4085 Ext 403
Direct Dial: 508-909-7946
Direct Fax: 774-304-1515

Jim Howard Day Habilitation, located at 1 North Street, Southbridge, MA, serves a diverse array of individuals with a wide range of needs. Individuals accessing this program vary in need from completely independent to those requiring full physical assistance in all support areas. Our areas of support include feeding, bathroom assistance, PT and OT recommendations, and exercise.

Jim Howard Day Habilitation also offers full-time nursing care, medication distribution, g-tube feeding, and maintaining the health and well-being of everyone. Dining and personal care may range from hand over hand assistance to supervision for safety reasons.

The program offers a six-week rotating schedule of trainings and activities, incorporating fun and creative curriculum emphasizing important areas of everyday knowledge and life skills such as hygiene, nutrition and health, safety, emotions, social skills, gross and fine motor, money and purchasing, and exercise. Each month offers a new calendar of community access trips, in the nearby community or surrounding towns, with multiple choices of dining, shopping, exercise, socialization, and more.

There are opportunities for program members to complete volunteer and vocational work through our Employment Supports Program.

Email: MonChapdelaine@thecenterofhope.org
Phone: 508-764-4085 Ext 300
Direct Dial: 508-764-1113
Direct Fax: 855-790-0887

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Center of Hope Foundation, Inc. serves the following towns through Day Habilitation Programs, Family Support Programs, and Employment Placement Programs.

Massachusetts Towns:

Auburn, Barre, Blackstone, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Grafton, Hardwick, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Monson, New Braintree, Northbridge, North Brookfield, Oakham, Oxford, Palmer, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Ware, Warren, Webster, West Brookfield, and Worcester.

Connecticut Towns:

Ashford, Brooklyn, Danielson, Eastford, Moosup, North Grosvenordale, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson, Willington, and Woodstock. Limited transportation is available for these towns.

Since 1956, the Center of Hope Foundation, Inc. has offered a continually evolving list of services for persons with disabilities.  The agency has grown far beyond its initial mission and first program, a school for children with intellectual disabilities to its present state, offering a wide range of day and family support programs for both children and adults with disabilities. 

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Quinebaug River and Southbridge Day Habilitation are currently closed. Our agency is committed to continuing to provide day services for our individuals. As COVID-19 guidelines change, our desire is for all our programs to fully reopen.

An individual is typically referred to the program by a DDS (Department of Developmental Services) Service Coordinator.  The individual must be at least 18 years old, qualify for DDS services or have a developmental disability and possess a Mass Health Card for funding purposes.  After the initial referral, the intake and admission team review the referral and determines whether the individual is appropriate for Day Habilitation or one of our other programs within the Center of Hope Foundation, Inc. Once accepted to the program an ISP (individual service plan) or ITP (individual transition plan) must be forwarded to the program, as well as any pertinent medical information.  The individual should have a physical examination completed within one year of the start date and must have a negative TB (Mantoux) test completed within the year prior to the start date.

The Center of Hope Foundation, Inc. will send out an automated phone call to notify individuals about delays/cancellations. All interested parties should contact Pauline Davis to have their number added to the list. You may also call the Center of Hope’s main number after 6 a.m. at 508-764-4085, hit extension 6 for weather cancellations.  Please make sure you listen to the entire message. There may be some cases where transportation will be canceled, however, the program will remain open. If you are able to arrange transportation in these cases to the program, you may attend.

The decision to close the program early due to weather emergencies will be made by the Chief Executive Officer. All residences will be informed of the intent to close.  The Program Director, R.N., or staff designee will phone each residence to request an early pick-up for you if you are transported by family or residential providers. Program staff will also ensure that there will be someone home prior to transporting you home in the program vans.  If you are transported in a private vehicle, we will notify your providers of any closings and request that you be picked up as soon as possible.

 

If you are transported by the Center of Hope Foundation Inc. Transportation Services you will leave on your regularly assigned vans at a time designated by the Chief Executive Officer or designated staff person, only after ensuring that someone will be home to meet the van.

All programs complete the EOHHS Day Program Planning and Preparedness Checklist and attest to adherence to the protocols and standards set forth in the agency’s guidance. 

Staff and program members are required to wear masks in the Day Habilitation program settings. 

Staff and program members in the Employment Supports Program are not required to wear masks. 

These are subject to change based on state and agency guidelines. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. 

The Admissions Department is readily available to provide tours and consultations for individuals, families, guardians, and home care providers interested in our Day Program Model. Please contact Chad Krause, CPO, at (508) 764-4085 ext. 643 or at CKrause@thecenterofhope.org.

The Admissions Department is available to answer any questions regarding our programs and can help make the best choice for you or your loved one. 

Let us Help!

WE UNDERSTAND THAT MAKING THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD AND CHOOSING A DAY PROGRAM CAN BE OVERWHELMING. WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY TRANSITION GOES SMOOTHLY AND EVERYONE IS HAPPY.

CPO, Center of Hope Foundation
Email: CKrause@thecenterofhope.org
Phone: 508-764-4085 Ext 643

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