PossAbilities’Youth Services Program Parameters

Youth Services Programs: Youth Rec and Stepping Out

Purpose of the Youth Services Programs: The Youth Services Programs are recreational programsfor youthwith developmental disabilities which informally teaches social and life skills. PossAbilities’ primary strength is working with persons with developmental disabilities.

Location: The Youth Services Programs are community based programs located at the Rochester Family YMCA. While PossAbilities has an area designated solely for its use, the location of this space is visible to the general public utilizing the YMCA.

Hours: The Youth Rec Program hours are 2:30-6:30 and the Stepping Out Program hours are 2:30-5:45

Transportation: If students in a Rochester Public School attend every day of the week, the school will provide transportation to the program. PossAbilities may be able to pick up within Rochester for a fee of $8.97. An additional fee of $8.97 will be charged for transportation provided home. The rate for out of town transportation is determined based upon the location.

Participant Parametersfor the Youth Recreation Program:

Must be between the ages of 2 and 21

Must choose a set schedule of and attend at least one day per week with the exception of those attending summer programming. Schedules for summer programming are set at the summer registration meeting held between mid-March and May 1st.

Must have the appropriate social and behavioral skills to be in a community setting at all times

Must be able to work with varying staff. We have a pool of staff ranging from 10 to 25 persons depending upon the time of year. Staffing is either 1:1 or group. The group staff ratio is 1:4 or 1:5 depending upon the Participants and the activity.

Must have the appropriate social and behavioral skills to be in a group setting at all times regardless of staffing level

  • Must possess the ability to stay with the group
  • Must not display verbal or physical aggression towards others
  • Must be able to be redirected verbally in the event of social or behavioral inappropriateness

Participant Parameters for the Stepping Out Program:

Must be between the ages of 15 and 25.

Must choose a set schedule of and attend at least one day per week.

Must have some level of independence and able to be unsupervised for at least 10 minutes.

Must be willing to socially interact with all members of the group

Must have the skills to be in all community setting in a group of 6 with 1 staff.

Must be able to work with varying staff. We have a pool of staff ranging from 10 to 25 persons depending upon the time of year.

Must have independent personal care skills (ability to toilet, clean self and eat independently).

Must be able to manage own mobilityat a pace to keep up with the group. Those utilizing wheelchairs must be able to motor independently.

Must have the appropriate social and behavioral skills to be in a community setting at all times

  • Must possess the ability to stay with the group
  • Must not display verbal or physical aggression towards others
  • Must be able to be redirected verbally in the event of social or behavioral inappropriateness

Must be able to pay for half of the cost of the daily activity. Along with the hourly fee, Stepping Out Participants are responsible for paying half of the cost of the daily activity. Fees that the Participant is responsible for generally range from $3.00 - $5.00 per day but occasionally will be higher. PossAbilities will track the expenses for the month and send a bill around the 15th of the following month.