Woodhaven provides Community Integration Services, also known as Day Program, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Community Integration Program provides people with developmental disabilities opportunities for volunteerism and to interact with other members of the central Missouri community.  Woodhaven evaluates how successful we are at helping participants through the quality outcome measurement system.  This system offers our coordinators the ability to gauge the amount of time each individual spends volunteering and having valuable community interactions each month.

“Without Walls”
Day Program is designed to be “without walls”, meaning it does not take place in a particular setting, but is community- and home-based. Individuals are typically paired  with a peer who is compatible and has similar interests, with one staff assisting the pair. An individual in the day program chooses activities he or she enjoys either by communicating directly to the support staff or by observation and input from family and staff on activities they appear to enjoy.

Monthly Activities
Each month certain activities are organized for the day program. A monthly calendar is developed by the Community Integration Coordinator with input from the participants, incorporating ideas from community calendars, local newspapers and brochures.

Each week there is bingo and bowling at a local alley. Typically each month there is a Bible study session, and a group potluck, often with a holiday or seasonal theme. Except during the winter months, at least one out-of-town trip is planned. Trips that have taken place during recent years include several to St. Louis (for the Zoo, the Science Center, and a baseball game), the Extreme Screen at Kansas City’s Union Station, Amish farm tours, the state Capitol building in Jefferson City, boat rides in Hannibal and the Lake of the Ozarks, a water park at the Lake, and an Amtrak ride to Sedalia, Missouri. Other activities that happen each month include crafts, group movies, karaoke, etc. These are just some of the examples of the numerous activities that are available each month.

Volunteerism
Service to others in the community is an important component of Day Program. Individuals in some houses help to distribute meals to seniors and those within the community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels.  Others participate in an “Adopt a Grandparent” program with a local nursing home.   Several Woodhaven homes have developed a partnership with the Coyote Hill Children’s home, collecting and donating items for the home and enjoying activities like picnics with the children.  Day program participants periodically work at the Food Bank and do other volunteer work around town. In addition to the benefits to the community, these activities help to promote good vocational skills for those who participate.

Individual Choice
Although many things are scheduled at the beginning of the month, there is room for spontaneity in finding new activities, and individuals are encouraged to pursue their own interests.  There is no requirement that you must participate in scheduled activities. Staff encourage the individuals to choose what interests them. For example one individual goes to the senior center and participates in line dancing; another attends a weekly aerobics class. Whenever possible the staff work on developing natural supports within the community.

Community Partnerships
The Day Program has been fortunate to benefit from the assistance of volunteers, including students from the University of Missouri working toward Human Service related degrees.  We also partner with organizations in the community in providing activities for the people we serve, such as the Columbia Art League and the State Historical Society.

Please contact Lindsay Rhinehart, Community Integration Coordinator, with any questions, ideas or if you are interested in volunteering or partnering at 573-876-7338.  Please allow 2-3 business days fro a response due to Lindsay being frequently out of the office leading events.