13 Oct Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.

Posted at 20:52h in 2024, Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Education, Nonprofit by

Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, inc.

Destination Independence

Grant Year: 2024 | Focus Area: Education | Grant Amount: $100,670 | Grant Status: Complete

In 1953, Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers (f/k/a United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida – UCP) was created by a group of parents with a need for services for their children with developmental disabilities. Capstone's programs are geared toward serving those with the most complex, significant developmental disabilities and offer services no one else is providing, serving those who may otherwise go unnoticed. For 70 years, Capstone has advocated for inclusion and opportunity for individuals of all ages, ethnicities and genders with developmental disabilities. The organization’s mission is to advance the independence for children and adults with a spectrum of abilities and disabilities. Capstone has implemented many cutting-edge programs for those who are on Medicaid, are in a low-income bracket, and have significant physical, medical, and cognitive disabilities. These programs are geared toward providing nursing, childcare, therapy, transportation and teaching business skills. 

OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

Capstone students who attend the Student Skills Training Program (SSTP) enjoy socialization and do not regress in educational and life skills. Many families and caregivers do not have reliable or handicap accessible vehicles to bring loved ones to SSTP. Since Capstone transports approximately 65% of their students to this program, the organization is seeking a van to transport students. IMPACT 100 funds will be used to purchase a new or gently used Ford Transit T-350 Van with a wheelchair lift that seats up to nine ambulatory passengers and one or two wheelchair riders and will replace an existing 2014 van which is not wheelchair accessible. The remaining funds will be used to provide insurance and safety equipment for the vehicle. The new vehicle will join their second vehicle, a 2019 Ford Transit van with wheelchair lift, transporting ambulatory and wheelchair bound students and allow the organization to expand their travel routes and operate two wheelchair accessible vans on both routes twice a day. The routes run 39 miles in East Milton and 29 miles in the Milton/Pace/Chumuckla area. Additionally, the vehicle will be used for field trips which provide important opportunities to improve inclusion, access, educational skills, socialization activities and physical activities for students.

 

EXPECTED IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

Many Capstone students live in rural areas of Santa Rosa County where other transportation services will not pick them up. The purchase of a second wheelchair accessible van will allow Capstone to transport more students and have the ability to accept more referrals from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) for students who require wheelchairs. SSTP provides students with curriculum and activities specifically intended to improve or maintain their independence. This independence is gained through a repeated, specialized curriculum, unique for each student. Frequent SSTP participation provides socialization, promotes physical activity, builds self-confidence, increases living skills, fine motor skills, and much more. As students meet stated goals, they progress toward the next challenging learning opportunity. Interruption in attendance results in skill regression, social isolation and creates hardships for family members to maintain job security. SSTP educational activities are geared to move students toward their destination of independence.

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