Developmental Disabilities

Community Habilitation

Community Habilitation Day Habilitation Employment Services Residential Services

The Foundling’s Community Habilitation program assists people of all ages with developmental disabilities in maximizing their potential for independence. Our specialists work with people in their home to achieve valued outcomes that have been identified by the person and their advocate or caregiver.

Many of the people that we work with at The Foundling reside in their family’s homes, where they benefit from strong, loving, and supportive relationships and proximity to family members who truly understand their needs. However, people with developmental disabilities who live at home often need supports in order to build important skills and feel connected to the wider community. Some of the skill building includes development of social skills, community inclusion and relationship building, assistance with activities of daily living, and educational assistance. For school-aged youth, Community Habilitation services also include advocacy and educational supports.

Success Stories

Shawn's Road to Independence

Shawn was diagnosed with a developmental disability as a child, making everyday tasks difficult. Since 2011, he has lived at a supportive Foundling residence in Rockland County, and for the past five years, has received additional skills training through our Community Habilitation program. Given his disability, he faces numerous challenges in daily life – but with The Foundling providing a helping hand, Shawn has made tremendous strides toward independence.

For Shawn, learning to drive has been one of his personal goals for more than five years, though he hadn’t yet succeeded in passing his permit test. When Shawn’s routine was upended during the pandemic, he took a renewed approach to studying, while being supported by his Foundling Community Habilitation Specialist. Together, they reviewed sample tests and went on the road to practice concepts firsthand. In September, Shawn took the exam again—and passed with a perfect score. He now looks forward to beginning driving lessons and pursuing the new opportunities that a license will bring.

With The Foundling helping him navigate, Shawn looks forward to steering the way toward further independence.

Full Story

Our Continued

Impact

151

years providing life changing services to children, families, and adults in New York

28%+

of individuals with a developmental disability in the US are living in poverty

24%

of adults with developmental disabilities report that they have no one to talk to about personal things and often feel lonely

1,000

children and adults served in our programs for individuals with developmental disabilities every year

donation launched The Foundling's work in 1869

64%

of children that are mistreated every year have at least one developmental disability

DID YOU KNOW

Individuals with developmental disabilities are the largest minority group in the United States

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HISTORY

1929
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Community Habilitation

Shawn's Road to Independence

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