One of the most amazing experiences (if not the most!) of the GEDS exchange was the visit to the Center for Discovery - an absolutely unique place, gathering generosity, knowledge, ambition and health in the very same project. The Center is located in a small town named Monticello, near Newburgh, New York state.
In the 1950's, this town used to be a vacation option for many New Yorkers. In a few hours it was easy to leave the big city and take a rest in a beautiful and peaceful environment in deep connection with nature. Today, other vacation destinations are as easy to get as any other place in just a couple of hours, so Monticello is not a favorite spot anymore.
Currently, most residents of Monticello work in the Center for Discovery. The center makes the difference from other approaches to intervention in severe disabilities due to the existence of a solid philosophy shared by all of those working for the center: the contact with nature, community integration and work.
In line with this thinking, the Thanksgiving Farm was created, based on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), with its very own Bakery, Healing Gardens, The Stonewall Preserve with its pastures and Co-op store! Residents of the center and residents of the community work along, side by side, producing the most wonderful food and other natural and organic products - even lip balm is produced here!
The Center offers a residential Program that has been working with people with complex and multiple needs for 35 years, aiming to help this individuals to achieve the fullest life possible and drawing upon a wide range of therapeutic interventions and many different kinds of expertise to shape the programs tailored to each individual’s potential. The Educational interventions also include ambulatory services for autistic young people and another for those with significant physical disabilities. Parents remain actively involved in the design of their child’s program as it evolves along with the child. A team made up of a certified special educator and two and a half para-professionals leads each class, and a class size of six or fewer children ensures that each child receives the individual attention they need. A caring and attentive team of experts safeguards the health and safety of the young people in the program. Full-time nurses are available to administer medications and to respond to medical emergencies.
A Sensitive Teaching model and a Nature based Curriculum are the models in the base of these interventions. Other therapies are also provided such as Occupational and Physical Therapy, Music Therapy, Aquatics, Adaptive Physical Education, Speech Pathology therapies and Psychology. Recently, a RIT (Reciprocal Imitation Therapy) model has started to be implemented. A comprehensive assessment model is also used and specific packages of assessment might be selected with parent training options also.
The Carrus Institute is designed as a resource for families and staff and many others. It serves as a community center as well as a place to convene and bring in others, to inform and be informed by the work of The Center.
The Health Center provides all clinical and medical services needed and, as every other building in the whole center, it is entirely green. Ecology friendly architecture is provided by experts in the field. Actually the administration board of the Centre is a full interdisciplinary approach comprising educators, therapists, families and also economists, lawyers and architects. Together this team is committed to continue with this common definition of community integration.
When we first visited the Center, a special meeting was being held, in which the group was engaged in the definition of a 2030 vision for the future of the Center. We truly believe that this commitment to constant improvement, solidly based in a common philosophy of well being and generosity, is the secret for the uniqueness of this Centre, with the leadership excellence of its director Patrick Dollard.
We fully encourage you all to visit their website, as they provide a whole new and contemporary way of conceiving Disability and Inclusion.
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