Day Habilitation Program

Record last updated 2024/05/13 Comment on this info .Update this info

Contact Information

United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Boston
Contact: Michael Janosch, Director of Day Services
Email Address: ucpboston@ucpboston.org
Phone: 617-924-4003
Alternate Phone: 617-924-2771
Fax: 617-668-0077

164R Main Street Watertown, MA 02472
Area Served: Greater Boston

Map Location Day Habilitation Program

Narrative

UCP Day Habilitation services works with adults aged 22 and older specializing in a medically fragile and physically disabled population. All disabilities are served.

UCP’s Day Habilitation and Community Experience Programs can serve a total of 70 individuals. The goal of both programs is to provide quality habilitative services which will allow individuals to achieve their potential and gain the skills necessary to move into less restrictive settings.  In this way, individuals may transition to these programs when they no longer attend UCP. Although many of the individuals have a primary diagnosis of cerebral palsy, individuals with physical disabilities as a result of other origins, a variety of secondary disabilities and cognitive limitations are also served.  Individuals pay for the services offered at Day Habilitation, Community Experience primarily through Medicaid.  However day services can be funded through other insurances.  If insurance is not a viable reimbursement source, then the individual and or another party may pay for the services rendered.

Both programs serve adults with physical and developmental disabilities whose needs are best met through utilizing the day habilitation model.  The day services model is a physician-prescribed service focusing on meeting the individual’s needs through physical, speech and occupational therapies, with on-staff therapists providing this service.  To assist with carry-over there are also Therapy Aides underneath each of the Therapists.  This model also offers ancillary services of developmental skills training, community integration and self-preservation.  A Nurse at each program is on site to monitor medications, G-tube feedings and attend to other medical needs.  Each individual’s specific needs are met through an annual review, which is the treatment protocol used to establish their own goals and objectives.  The annual review steers the multidisciplinary team in contributing their area of expertise to the overall programming for the individual while regularly monitoring the individual’s progress.

What makes us unique?

Our innovative group curriculums offer a variety of engaging activities to individuals on an annual trimester schedule. At the Day Habilitation program groups are designed to meet the developmental level of the participants.

Individuals who attend the Community Experience program choose the groups they wish to attend at the beginning of each trimester. All individuals have opportunities to participate in enriching group activities, including gross motor, sensory, technology, art, and cooking groups. Additional groups covering a variety of topics ranging from music to history and culture to gardening are offered on a rotating and seasonal basis.. Group activities change each trimester.Daily leisure time provides individuals with opportunities to develop new interests and engage in a variety of recreational activities.

Our convenient Watertown Square location offers a wide array of options for individuals to explore and engage with the community in local shops, restaurants, and the library. In addition to all that Watertown has to offer, individuals have chosen to visit many of the museums, nature spaces, malls, and attractions throughout the Boston metro area.

Our long standing relationship with the DCR Universal Access Program has made sailing at Community Boating a regular part of the summer and adapted ice skating in Revere a welcomed part of the winter.

Both the Community Experience and Day Habilitation programs have sensory rooms where individuals have opportunities for sensory relaxation, stimulation, and exploration both in weekly groups and as needed during daily transition periods.

UCP embraces new technology! We have a number of iPads and large format tablets that enhance access to technology and provide additional methods of multi-modal learning and interaction for the individuals we serve. These are incorporated into group activities and have offered new leisure , social, and communication opportunities for individuals.

Evening social events are offered at various times throughout the year. Some celebrations have included Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Halloween Parties, Summer BBQs, a Spring Sing, and an evening of Bingo.

Camp NO LIMITS! is an exciting week long experience offered in the summer. Each morning begins with a camp song and camp style activities are offered according to a different theme each day. Beach Day and Field Day have been favorites over the yearss.

On Site Therapy: Physical, Speech and Language, and Occupational Therapists are on site every day to complete annual evaluations, lead weekly group activities, work directly with individuals, and consult with direct care staff.

Physical Therapy (PT): In addition to developing and supporting PT goals and objectives for each individual, the PT also assists staff in problem solving any issues regarding an individual’s mobility, wheelchair issues, positioning, and provides education to staff regarding range of motion, positioning, transfers, exercise programs, and operation of equipment on a yearly basis.

Speech and Language (SLP): The SLP focuses on evaluating, maintaining and improving individuals' speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing abilities. The SLP works to help individuals both understand and express their needs, thoughts, feelings, and wishes, sometimes using Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC).

Occupational Therapy (OT): The OT team addresses functional skills (i.e. ability to feed self, manage money, technology access, and leisure participation), social skills, fine motor and gross motor function, sensory abilities, emotional support, and cognitive and perceptual skills. OT considers the needs, abilities and preferences of individuals to develop their goals and objectives, determines whether assistive technology, adapted equipment, or environmental modifications will benefit the individual, oversee the use of sensory rooms, and provide implementation of assessment goals and objectives, through staff training and supporting groups.

Service Types

  • Day Activity
  • Nutrition
  • Skills Training

Program Type

  • Aging
  • Assistive Technology and Equipment
  • Case Management
  • Communication
  • Counseling
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Medical
  • Personal Care

Populations Served

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Aphasia
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Behavior Disorder
  • Birth Defects
  • Blind
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • DeafBlind
  • Developmental Disability
  • Diabetes
  • Elderly Person with disabilities
  • Hard of Hearing
  • Huntington's Disease
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Language Impairment
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Nonverbal Communication
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Physical Disabilities
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Scoliosis
  • Speech Impairment
  • Spina Bifida
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Visual Impairment

Ages Served

  • 23 – 59
  • 60 +

Languages Spoken

  • American Sign Language
  • Armenian
  • French
  • Haitian
  • Haitian-Creole
  • Spanish

Accessibility Features

  • Able to serve clients in their wheelchair
  • Accessible Parking
  • Accessible Public Transportation
  • Accessible Restrooms
  • Free Transport
  • Medical Needs
  • Near Public Transportation
  • Sign Language
  • Wheelchair Ramps

Additional Information

  • Accredited By: CARF
  • Fees: MassHealth, Private Insurance, Personal Funds
  • Licensed By: DDS