IRA Program

The majority of our homes have a live-in manager in conjunction with an Assistant Manager and a team of Direct Support staff. The live-in manager is able to provide constancy for the home as well as facilitate a strong relationship with the individuals residing and their families. Each house is supervised by a Program Coordinator that visits the house weekly or as needed. The houses are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The management and direct support professionals that work in the Community Living Program are provided extensive training which includes, but is not limited to, first aid, fire safety, CPR, incident reporting, etc. There is a nurse on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as an Administrator on call. In order for AHRC to ensure that all of the individuals’ needs are met, each house has a comprehensive staffing pattern which allows for continual coverage and oversight of the people residing. The number of staff at each home is determined by the needs of individuals’ residing. It is a priority of AHRC to staff each house in a manner that provides the safest environment possible. Each staff member in the home works directly with the individuals’ residing to promote independence, individuality, inclusion and productivity.
 
All the individuals’ in the residential program are over age 21. Many of the homes are co-ed. The individuals’ who reside in these homes participate in various activities, with the emphasis on activities that allow them access to the communities that they reside in. All individuals’ remain in close contact with their families and guardians, as well as having the opportunity to make new friends within their community.
 
All the houses are well maintained. AHRC Nassau has its own maintenance and landscaping departments. Our Board of Directors visit our homes frequently to ensure an optimal living environment is maintained.
 
Each home has two vehicles which allow the staff to provide transportation to all medical appointments as well as many recreational activities such as dances, bowling, movies, fairs, religious services, etc.
 
Over the course of the year there are vacation options available to the individuals’. Some of the individuals’ attend Camp Loyaltown in upstate New York during the summer months. The Community Living program additionally works hand in hand with other non-profit organizations that schedule run vacations across the United States and Europe. The individuals pay for these vacations themselves.
 
For more information about the Community Living Program, please contact:

Carolyn Ciatto, Director at (516) 293-2016, ext. 5376 or cciatto@ahrc.org 
Chris O'Connor, Director at (516) 367-2740 or coconnor@ahrc.org.