Cardinal Hayes Home For Children

Programs: Intermediate care facility programs - cardinal hayes home for children (chhc) is a not for profit agency providing residential care and treatment for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Children of all races, creeds, and socioeconomic backgrounds are equally considered for admission. Our agency accepts ambulatory and non-ambulatory young people who function in the moderate to profound range of intellectual disability. The individuals in our care are multi-handicapped. Some have a diagnosis of autism; others have cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or neurological impairment. Our nursing staff and direct support professionals have considerable experience in the care of medically fragile children. Referrals to cardinal hayes home can be made by individual families or by opwdd (office for people with developmental disabilities) local departments of social services, hospitals, schools, preschool programs, mental health clinics, medical and social service professionals and family service agencies. Inquiries about our programs are most welcome, and site visits are easily arranged. Cardinal hayes home campus is located in millbrook, ny, a small village 75 miles north of nyc and 15 miles east of poughkeepsie. The campus is on 62 acres of land in a serene setting in central dutchess county and is easily accessible via major routes. A total of 119 young people reside in cardinal hayes' homes. On our millbrook campus, there are six handicapped- accessible cottages and a special unit in the main building. The millbrook icf (intermediate care facility) is home for 60 children and young adults. Our community icfs encompass five residences in various parts of dutchess county - 10 young people reside in each of these houses. Our ira (individualized residential alternative) program offers 3 separate apartments (2 bed, 3 bed and 4 bed) providing supervised living for 9 young adults with complex care needs. Our residences are "homes" - individually decorated and appropriately furnished for the comfort and safety of people with a developmental disability. Under the supervision of a licensed dietitian, nutritious meals meet each individual's special dietary needs. Every phase of a person's care and treatment is important. Our staff monitors each young person's development and well being through an individualized treatment plan. Services provided by chhc include social work, medical and neurological services, dietary planning, behavioral programming, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Social and recreational opportunities are also an important part of each resident's plan of care. Children with disabilities need a continuum of care throughout their lives, and we work with families to most appropriately meet the special needs of their children. At cardinal hayes home, the goal is to maximize the potential for growth and development of each resident. This planning continues through adulthood. Parents of children with special needs are given a number of options today. Some families are able to have their child live at home - others find it necessary to seek residential services. Placing a special needs child in someone else's care is a difficult and often painful decision. We help parents choose the option that is best for their child and the family, whether it is placement at cardinal hayes home or exploring other alternatives. The young people in our homes have been entrusted to our care, and each one is treated with dignity and respect. Families are encouraged to take an active part in their children's lives and in planning for their current and future needs. The agency helps families arrange visits with their son or daughter at home and welcomes family visits to cardinal hayes home. Our trained and skilled staff gives nurturing care and supervision to the special needs young people who reside at chhc. Our medical department oversees the health needs of the residents and works in concert with major facilities for evaluation and treatment of special conditions. There is 24 hour staffing in all our homes. It is our belief that the spiritual formation of a child is an integral part of his or her development. Non-denominational prayer services appropriate for youngsters with developmental disabilities are held several times a year. Religious ceremonies are planned in cooperation with area churches and synagogues in accordance with the wishes of the family and, where appropriate, the informed choice of the resident.

respite services - cardinal hayes home community respite service provides planned periods of short term relief to families caring for a child or young adult with developmental disabilities at home. For parents and siblings, a break from the ongoing care of a family member with a developmental disability is well deserved and vitally important. Care givers hired by cardinal hayes home provide assistance on a regular basis to those who are burdened with the continuous care of a severely disabled family member. The respite provider is responsible for the care (which includes feeding, dressing and toilet training), safety and well being of the handicapped individual. The family of the disabled individual and cardinal hayes home trains the respite worker. Our community respite program is an important preventive service for it helps relieve stress and strengthen the family's ability to care for the individual with the developmental disabilities at home, thus reducing the incidence of family crises and subsequent placement of the disabled family member into institutional care.

day hab - work activities training at cardinal hayes provides habilitation opportunities for individuals through work activities and social exposure in a variety of programs that promote greater independence. Through this program disabled young people can acquire work skills and appropriate social behaviors in the workplace. The goal is to place individuals in a "productive mode" according to their individual potential and strengths. Through participation in the watch program, a young adult who is disabled learns to function more independently and productively and develop a more positive self-esteem. The program also offers a work-study component for severely disabled students who will be aging-out of the educational system.

case management - cardinal hayes home is sensitive to the special concerns and problems facing parents of children with developmental disabilities. Our agency reaches out to these families. Professional guidance is provided by cardinal hayes staff to assist families in obtaining services for a disabled family member. Other program services - agency mission - in the tradition of the franciscan missionaries of mary, serving those most in need, we share in a ministry of service to children and young adults with developmental disabilities. With profound belief in the sacredness and value of each life, our spirit of caring reflects compassion and reverence.