Mutltipurpose Services to Meet Multiple Needs

Multi Purpose Integrated Day Care/Service-Initial Thoughts

Need: There is a growing and significant need for quality and affordable day care. Also there is a need to support the parents of baby boomers who may not need nursing homes or other forms of institutional care, but may need day services and supports so they can remain in their homes instead possibly entering a nursing home, or other similar settings. There are also parents seeking supports for there pre-school aged children with disabilities in integrated settings, thus preventing exclusion and achieving inclusion. The state of intergenerational relations is virtually non-existent due to geographical distance and other related factors that separate young children from their grandparents. There is value in bringing young children and older persons together such as caring for each other, the sharing of wisdom and experience that children may receive from their grandparents. This relationship can be therapeutic in terms of experiencing happiness instead of despair as Erickson suggested for many older people at the end of the developmental and life cycle.

This service is designed to meet the needs of older citizens, children with and without a disability and baby boomers seeking support during the day for their parents so they can go to work, or attend to other necessary daily activities with a clear mind and less worry. This model also addresses the issue of social integration for young children with disabilities, into inclusive school and play settings that historically have rejected them.

The service model would provide adult day services for older citizens in need of social opportunities, medical supports, and recreation, day care for young children with and without disabilities and support for bay boom generation adults seeking support and guidance in supporting their older parents. All of this will take place in the same physical setting, with separate and shared space for the children and the older adults.

Another potential population to be served through this model is adults with developmental disabilities who may be interested in working with young children, and seek meaningful work in their lives. They may also be interested in working with older people. This third possible benefit could be supported by local employment agencies which are seeking work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

This model will require seed money to start. It will serve those living below and above poverty levels on a sliding fee for service payment system. It is hoped that this service can be delivered at a reasonable price, and be easily accessible to a diverse group of people. It is also intended to be utilized by those working in the human service agencies in the region. It could be a paid benefit from their agencies into a pool of money that would support the program, support their staff and help improve attendance and performance, as indicated in many national surveys on employer provided daycare.

JBG