Day Services

Day Services

Adult Day Services at Abilities First provide meaningful day time activities for people with disabilities from young adulthood to seniors. All of our programs are community integrated as much as possible to provide a wide variety of experiences and exposure to people and places in our communities. Adult Day Services are intended for people for whom employment is not a current option. Within Adult Day Services programs people continue to build skills that are relevant for their unique developmental needs.

A man smiles at a computer desk during an Abilities First program.

Neighborhood Centers

Neighborhood Centers are small Adult Day Services programs located at various spots across the community. These programs are known as Site-Based Group Day Habilitation programs. This means that these programs provide our highest level of staffing and clinical services for people who require intensive support. Regardless of each person’s individual needs, these programs maintain high levels of interaction with the community.

An elderly woman smiles at the camera.

Seniors Day Services

Abilities First offers a Neighborhood Center in Poughkeepsie that is specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As in the general population, the needs of people with disabilities change as they age. Activity levels tend to naturally slow and targeted services are needed to maintain skills through late adulthood. This is a unique service that is in high demand.

A group of Abilities First members pick out groceries on a shopping trip.

Community-Based Adult Day Services

This form of adult day service is commonly known as Day Habilitation Without Walls (aka, WOW). This term “without walls” refers to the flexibility of the service in terms of where it takes place. Typically people meet at a home base in an Abilities First facility and then travel from there to places in the community to engage in volunteer work, community projects and other community experiences. The majority of time in this program is spent in the community as opposed to a program facility. However, a facility is always available when there’s inclement weather or other reasons to gather.

Dutchess Think Ahead logo.

Think Ahead at Dutchess Community College

Think Ahead is a college program for young adults with disabilities that takes place at Dutchess Community College (DCC). The program is operated by DCC with support from Abilities First and other non-profit organizations in the area in collaboration with Dutchess County Government’s ThinkDiffferently initiative. For students that select Abilities First, we provide trained staff members for support in the program as needed. Students spend time in classroom instruction, work internships and engaging in social activities with college peers.

LIFE SKILLS ENHANCEMENT CENTER

The life skills enhancement center (LSEC) is a supplemental day habilitation program. It takes place after 3:00 p.m. and focuses on helping individuals aged 18 and over acquire life skills critical to long-term success and independence. With an emphasis on person-centered planning, mentors provide guidance and support in identifying and pursuing individuals’ goals. LSEC also offers socialization with peers and other recreational activities.

Locations

Neighborhood Centers are located throughout Dutchess County. The Seniors Neighborhood Center is in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Community-Based Adult Day Services are offered in Dutchess and Orange Counties.

Apple Valley Square Neighborhood Center
702 Freedom Plains Rd.,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
LaGrange Neighborhood Center
407 Manchester Rd.,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Overocker Neighborhood Centers (1, 2, 3, 4)
70 Overocker Rd.,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Plaza Neighborhood Center
60 Firemens Way,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Manchester Road Neighborhood Center
403 Manchester Rd.,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Sycamore Neighborhood Center
2510 Rt. 44,
Salt Point, NY 12578 (near intersection of Rt. 82)
Washington Hollow Neighborhood Center (Without Walls)
70A Overocker Rd.,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Abilities First Senior Neighborhood Center
1811 Route 376,
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

For additional information about Abilities First Adult Day Services see our Frequently Asked Questions or contact Mark Nace, M.S., Chief Program Officer at 845-485-9813 ext. 1247.