PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The clients enrolled in the program are at the lowest level of functioning and are in desperate need of programs designed to teach very basic skills in the area of self help, behavior management, pre-communications, social/peer interaction and relationship, cognitive development and sensory motor training.
The primary priority of the Day Training Activity Center is to provide services and specialized training for moderately to severely and profoundly retarded individuals. The program is designed to maximize the growth and development of the client population in the following areas:
v Pre-vocational skills
v Basic self-help skills
v Socialization, community integration and awareness
v Cognitive development
v Behavior management and social/emotional development
v Sensory development
v Communication
The description of the client population is a clear indication that the process is slow and methodical, and that the success of this venture depends upon the quality and quantity of services provided on a continuum basis, increasing the ability of the participants to become functional members of our society.
The purpose of the Day Training Activity Center is to encourage, assist, and support the maximum personal development of consumers ages 18 to 60. The function of the program is consistent with the overriding goal of Arc Mid-Cities to “promote the general welfare of persons with developmental disabilities".
The Day Training and Activity Center, a program of Arc Mid-Cities, is approved and funded by the Department of Developmental Services through local regional centers. This program serves the needs of developmentally disabled persons who are not yet able to function in a full-day vocational setting. The program occurs in the continuum of services identified and defined by DDS between an Adult Developmental Center for those functioning below DTAC trainees and a Work Activity Center for those functioning at levels higher than DTAC trainees.
GOALS
v To achieve sufficient personal, social, and independent living skills to graduate to a higher level of programming and habilitation
v To provide an enriched environment conducive to the growth and development of self-esteem and self-affirmation of the consumer, with opportunities to increase personal independent living skills and motor development
v To provide programming that engenders appropriate self-expression, development of cognitive skills, enhancement of peer relationships, and improvement in the quality of relationships with authority figures 
The participating consumer in the program will gain skills necessary to advance to a lesser restrictive environment within the program or within another program by attainment of:
s A reduction or elimination of anti-social behavior
s A higher level of independent living, community awareness,
pre-vocational, or communication skills
The progress of the consumer will be measured using assessment instruments correlated to baseline data.
Ø v California State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
v Department of Social Services
v South Central Los Angeles Regional Center
v Westside Regional Center
v Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
v San Gabriel Valley/Pomona Regional Center
v Compton Unified School District
v North Los Angeles Regional Center
v Inland Counties Regional Center
SERVICES PROVIDED
v Individual assessment
v Individual planned programs
v Personal and social adjustment programs
v Periodic progress reports
v Recreational services including transportation
v Transportation to and from the workshop
v Earning (based on productivity)
TRAINING AND ACTIVITIES
vv Independent Living Skills
v Adaptive Physical Education
v Social/Emotional Behavior Management
CLIENT ENTRANCE CRITERIA
v Any person 18 years of age or older who exhibits an observable and/or diagnosed developmental disability
v Has a history of delayed or retarded development
v Is ambulatory or mobile
v Possesses basic self-help, receptive language and cognitive skills
Admission under special circumstances is accomplished by:
v A case conference inclusive of trainee, provider/parent, social worker, and Mid-Cities representative;
v Compliance with regulations set forth by the Department of Developmental Services, CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), and by other appropriate agencies.
REFERRAL-INTAKE PROCEDURE
To place a consumer in the Mid-Cities Day Training and Activity Center, the referring counselor must send the following before placement can be considered:
vPsychological evaluation;
vMedical history and physical examination report
including restrictions, completed within the last year;
vSocial summary up to present;
v List of previous programs attended (including
addresses and phone numbers);
vReport of speech and hearing examination if
impairment has been identified in past medical
records;
v The current Individual Program Plan.
EVALUATION
The following evaluation instruments are used to assess trainee levels of functioning and to measure trainee progress:
§ v Behavior modification contract
v Behavior charts and graphs
v Individual Program Plans
v Annual and semi-annual reviews
v Progress notes, charts, and graphs
v Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities
v Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test
§ v Vocational Adoption Rating Scales (VARS)
§ v Arizona Articulation Proficiency Scales
§v Minnesota Test for Differential Diagnosis
of Aphasia
EXIT CRITERIA
Positive terminees will be those who have achieved the goals and objectives set forth in their Individual Program Plan (both Mid-Cities’ and the regional Center’s) and are assessed by Mid-Cities DTAC Staff as being ready for advanced vocational placement or competitive employment.
Negative terminees will be those assessed as behaviorally inappropriate by failure to comply with their behavioral contract and IPP, and inability to adjust to the training milieu. Consideration will be given to non-attendance and other special circumstances related to trainees, i.e. decisions and recommendations of the regional center and provider/parents.
At the discretion of Mid-Cities, clients may at any time be placed on a probationary status due to the onset of behavior or health problems; this being a limited period of observation to determine if the client is appropriate for program participation.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Monday through Friday
From 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
