Abilities First Schools and Adult Care (Aired on January 23, 2022)

2022-01-29

Melissa McCoy, the Chief Advancement Officer of Abilities First, Zooms into RadioRotary to describe this organization that provides schools for children and group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. The name Abilities First is meant to signify that the organization values what people can do, what they can learn, and what they accomplish rather than their limitations or disabilities. They provide a continuum of care with no fees for the services. The staff and volunteers work with children who have many different disabilities, and at age 21 individuals in the program transition to adult care. Most of the children travel to the schools from home although some board at the school. Services are available to residents in the six mid-Hudson counties, from Putnam and Orange through Green and Columbia, although the schools are mostly in Dutchess County.

Learn more:

Abilities First: https://www.abilitiesfirstny.org/

Abilities First on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbilitiesFirstInc/

NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities: https://opwdd.ny.gov/

Dutchess Country Department of Behavior and Community Health: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/dbch.htm