In September of 1996, a group of four families met with Clearbrook staff to request the development of a partnership to create a non-traditional day services program for adults with disabilities for whom traditional day programs were not appropriate. With graduation from a special education program scheduled for June of 1998, these families were able to clearly articulate the services they and their children wanted and needed.

Based on the initial meeting, other service providers were brought to the table. The group now included Clearbrook, Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA), Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU) and the families. It was agreed that this newly formed partnership would move forward with a shared vision of developing alternative adult day services that would be a unique response to the desire of participants to have lifelong opportunities for learning. A number of activities were identified and began to occur in order to identify the specifics of a program model.

• A questionnaire was developed and distributed to assess the need for services.
• Desired program options were identified.
• Possible funding sources were identified.
• Program planning interviews were conducted with the original four families.
• Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) worked to develop the recreation/socialization component.
• Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU), a case management agency, worked with the parents and other agencies in the areas of program development and funding.
• A funding proposal for a pilot project was drafted and submitted to the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Program eligibility and admission criteria were developed.
• Marketing and fund raising strategies were brainstormed.
• Individual client funding requests were submitted to the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• DHS staff met with the Partners to assist in the refinement of funding requests to DHS.
• Program components/options/formats continued to be discussed, refined and prioritized.
• A Partnership Board, as well as an Advisory Committee was developed.
• A start-up grant was received from the Department of Human Services for capital needs.

For more information about the contributing agencies please follow the links below:

For further information please contact us at ClearbrookPAL@aol.com or call  Sheila Lullo at 847-385-5015