Easter Seals Disability Services

“Thank you for taking my nephew out of the house and giving him a life, and giving me time to have a life for myself Easter Seals has been a lifesaver!”

Easter Seals Promotes Independence of Adult Day Center Participant

Mary Rose spots me coming into the Sayreville Community Support Services’ site and approaches me so that we can exchange “hello’s.”  “All ready for work?” I ask, and she pats the pocket containing her timecard to indicate that her answer is “yes.”

She also tells me that it’s ten o’clock, meaning she is anxious to leave for work.  A smile crosses her face in the parking lot as Mary Rose realizes that she will get to sit in the front seat of the van on her way to work. 

We exchange small talk on the way to pick up one of her co-workers she tells me what she expects on her job today, how fast she will work, and with which cashier she is going to work.  As her co-workers enter the van, Mary Rose always has a pat on the shoulder or a handshake for each of them, and will include them in her conversation.

Mary Rose has worked hard to achieve such independence.  A great day is one during which her routine is carried out to perfection and she is working with one of her favorite cashiers.  When her cashier goes on break, he or she can count on Mary Rose to find a replacement, and she will pitch in with or without prompts. 

Ask Mary Rose if she is working hard and a resounding “yes!” will be her answer.  Store customers regularly thank her, and many try to give her a tip.  She has honed her time management skills to the point where she will eat her lunch and stand by the front door of her workplace waiting for her scheduled pick up right on time.

Mary Rose will talk about her day and who worked with her as cashier.  She loves payday most especially picking up her check on her own and she will relate what she plans to do with her earnings.  Every now then, Mary Rose will buy herself a treat, but never will she enjoy it without first sharing some with her co-workers on their ride home.

If you would like to make a donation to help support Easter Seals’ efforts to pave the way to independence for individuals like Mary Rose, please call us at (732) 257-6662 and ask for either Helen Drobnis at ext. 200, or Bob Cohen at ext. 229.  Thank you!

Easter Seals New Jersey’s Adult Training Services has offered services to adults with developmental disabilities for more than 25 years by providing a place for those with diagnosed developmental disabilities to spend their day under supervised care. 

In order to ensure the safety of the individuals receiving services, all Easter Seals staff members are trained in the following through the N.J. State Division of Developmental Disabilities:

• Preventing Abuse and Neglect
• Overview of Developmental Disabilities
• Medication
• Danielle’s Law and Reporting Life Threatening Emergencies
• CPR and First Aid
• Crisis Managment

In addition to the trainings all staff are required to:

• Pass the Criminal Background check
• Have a Clean Driver’s Abstract

Participants’ work on established goals to enhance daily living and social skills, participate in various activities within their community on a weekly basis, and for those who are capable and willing volunteer and work within local facilities, such as Meals on Wheels or local businesses, with the help of Easter Seals’ staff members. Visit our Employment Services  page for more information.

In conjunction with our Adult Day Services, Easter Seals also provides residential services to those with developmental disabilities. 

In addition to adult training center participation, attendees may avail themselves of these services as part of the Real Life Choices program.  Click here for more information about our Real Life Choices Program.

Criteria:  Must be 21 years or older with a diagnosed developmental disability

Counties:  Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean

Contact: 

Jill Ehrhardt, assistant vice president

(732) 257-6662, ext. 261, or jehrhardt@nj.easterseals.com

New Jersey State provides funding for the Easter Seals’ Adult Training Services through its Department of Health and Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD.)