The Community Enrichment Program (CEP) is a nights and weekends program designed to integrate those with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the community in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. Its purpose is to increase social connections, promote decision-making, build independence, build confidence, aid in skills development, allow participants to accomplish goals, and create a more inclusive community.

CEP offers many different activities throughout the year to help individuals build a strong community presence, in a way meaningful to their own lives. Some examples of events include educational courses, recreation and leisure activities. The Community Enrichment Program has been part of the Fond du Lac Community for over 25 years! Participants must be 18 or older.

For more information, email us.

Our Youth Community Enrichment Program (YCEP) provides year-round age-appropriate opportunities and special events for developmentally disabled children as young as age 5. Through YCEP, children can socialize and interact with peers, experience spending time away from home, and have more exposure to the community and area events.

The program also provides a chance for the parents and other caregivers to have a break from the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for a child who has exceptional needs.

For more information, contact Cassie.

Youth Dily Living Skills Program (YDLS)

The Youth Daily Living Skills Program provides year round opportunities for children ages 8-18. The focus of this program is to help children develop independent living skills, build higher learning/job readiness proficiency, learn how to advocate for their rights and achieve personal goals.

For more information please contact Gwen.

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” – Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath

The Special Olympics Program at the Arc Fond du Lac provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of sports. Special Olympics works to further develop skills, accomplish personal goals, build conference, socialize, and increase physical activities. The Young Athletes program for children ages 2-10 teaches the athletes to run, kick, throw, and many other skills to prepare them for the leap into the Special Olympics program.

The athletes will get opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience the joy of competing while showing off their skills! Our goal is to inspire individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit by offering the athletes the opportunity to display their talents through sports training and competition.

Areas of training offered:

• Swimming
• Basketball
• Bocce Ball
• Bowling
• Cornhole
• Athletic (Track & Field)

For more information, email our Special Olympics Coordinator Jordan Wood.

The Arc Fond du Lac makes its fleet of accessible vehicles available for rent to trained drivers at a very reasonable cost. The service is for families and the community to provide transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Our vehicles range from mini vans with a ramp to large buses with electric lifts.

Prices:

• Small Vehicles – $40 per day + $0.70 per mile
• Large Vehicles (Buses) – $65 per day + $0.75 per mile

To become a driver…

Call 920-923-3810 to register for the next van training class. The class takes an hour and a half to two hours and costs $40 per person.

Drivers must be 18 years old, have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a clean driving record.

For more information, email our Transportation Coordinator Michelle Buck.

Opportunities Center

The Arc Fond du Lac’s Opportunities Center (OC) provides activities for adults with developmental disabilities, in a safe, and stimulating environment to learn skills and behaviors that will enhance their ability to function as independently as possible in the community.

Clients will receive training and help with feeding, hygiene, personal appearance, and related personal-care needs. They are taught and encouraged to participate in small-group interaction activities and interact with peers and the general public with decreasing staff support. They will also enjoy companionship and learn social and communication skills.

The program runs Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with partial day programs available. For more information, email one of our Opportunity Center Day Service Managers, Corrie Wollersheim, Kylie Serwe, or Tomessa Marley.

Adult Family Homes

The Arc Fond du Lac offers a variety of living opportunities for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. We have nine homes that are state licensed and feature a family-like atmosphere where residents share mealtimes, social opportunities, and companionship but enjoy the privacy of their own bedrooms.

Well-trained, caring staff members provide 24-hour supervision, individualized support, safety, and assistance with the activities of daily living.

Our group homes provide a chance to live more independent and rewarding lives in the community. The staff will increase and maintain independent living skills, including support in such areas as consumer education, money management, homemaking skills, safety, grooming and hygiene, self-advocacy, socialization skills, and health monitoring.

For more information on group homes, email Emily Bresser.

Arc Housing, Inc., Apartments

Arc Housing, Inc., in proud affiliation with The Arc, offers unique low income housing accommodations to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Arc Housing owns three apartment buildings in Fond du Lac with both one- and two-bedroom units for individuals who can maintain (often with help) their own residence.

Fore more information on apartments, email Emily Bresser.

The Arc Fond du Lac is offering a NEW program!

Achieve-able is a community-based program generating interest and creating familiarity around being part of the community. The program includes personal coaching with a target on individual skill development.

Participants will:

• Gain full access to the benefits of community living.
• Set personal community goals in a small group or individual setting.
• Develop skills intended to reduce the need for paid support over time.

The group will meet 3-4 times per month. Schedules are flexible.

Program highlights:

• Healthy living and cooking
• Budgeting and shopping
• Community club memberships
• Transportation access
• Communication-based skill building
• Community safety

For more information, email our Transportation Coordinator Michelle Buck.

Health, Safety, and Wellness Training Program

The Health, Safety, and Wellness Training Program, at The Arc Fond du lac, is offered as a community resource for training of Direct Support Professionals, caring for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

Our Training Coordinator has 17 years’ experience in the caregiving field, as well as certifications as an instructor for State Certified CBRF and American Red Cross trainings.

The key training tracks offered are:

• Core CBRF trainings
• Resident Rights/Abuse and Neglect
• Recognizing, Preventing, and Managing Challenging Behaviors
• Staff Wellness
• Boundaries
• Client Specific Groups
• American Red Cross Certification (First Aid/CPR/AED & Babysitter Training)

Onboard trainings are offered in the following areas: standard precautions, fire safety, first-aid and choking, medication administration, incident reporting, resident rights, and abuse and neglect. Continuing education trainings are also offered in the areas of: assessment process, ISP and documentation, person-centered planning, dietary needs & sanitation, stress reduction and relaxation techniques, and menu planning for homes (just to name a few).

For more information, please email Connie Gens.