A Lifeline for People with Disabilities

For people who are not sick, but who are permanently disabled, Volunteers of America’s Charter Oak Community Support Services is a lifeline to their dream of living full and independent lives. Our program helps people with a wide range of disabilities reach their vocational, social and independent-living goals. Our skilled and caring team works closely with consumers to create an individual service plan that focuses on their strengths, builds on existing support systems and addresses areas needing remediation. 

Our consumers include adults with vision and hearing impairments, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, autism, mental illness, dual diagnoses and more. From teaching a consumer how to wash and fold his own laundry and take his medications on schedule, to working side-by-side with a consumer at their job every day, our staff does whatever it takes to help the people we serve optimize their opportunities.

Overcoming Significant Barriers to Independence

As soon as they join our program, every consumer is assigned a job coach who works with the consumer to develop an individualized service plan (ISP); consumers’ families are encouraged to participate in this process. Because every individual is unique, and because people and their circumstances may change over time, each service plan is based on the particular needs and abilities of the consumer and is reviewed regularly.

ISP’s can include training on how to navigate public transportation, GED tutoring, basic money management techniques such as balancing a checkbook, home maintenance training, and even cooking lessons. In some cases consumers are taught marketable skills in a small group setting, including basic office tasks such as envelope stuffing. Job coaches meet regularly with employers to address issues before they become unmanageable and accompany consumers on job interviews. Job coaches coordinate all therapeutic services for consumers, including any physical and occupational therapies they need. Staff can also find or create peer support networks to prevent or ameliorate social isolation.

At Home in the Community

Charter Oak Community Support Services is designed to enable individuals with disabilities to leave, or prevent placement into, institutional settings, and to live at home in the community. We believe the communities in which our consumers live are full of untapped opportunities waiting to be accessed by our consumers, as opposed to obstacles for them to overcome.  Our compassionate, well-trained, and creative staff works hard to connect consumers with community resources including potential employers and public libraries as well as medical and recreational facilities.

Community Partners

For many of our consumers, going to a job every day is the most satisfying aspect of their life. Our list of employers is constantly growing. At this time our consumers work at the Bridgeport YMCA, T.J. Max, T.G.I. Fridays, Fashion Bug, K-mart, Marshall’s, St. Joseph’s Manor and Game Time. 

Comprehensive Services

­Whatever the need, whatever the extent to which the need exists, our services address all areas of our consumer’s life.

­°Vocational assessment and supported employment 

­°School-to-work transition assistance

­°Learning disability assessment and planning

­°Acquired Brain Injury assessment and planning

­°Independent living skills training and coaching

­°Information and referral

­°Physical, speech and occupational therapy and psychiatric referrals

­°Supported living services including companionship and respite care

­°Personal support including counseling

­°Transportation

­°Interpreters provided

For more information please call Susan Jackson, Program Director at (203) 612-9590.