Programs and Services

Programs and Services

ADULT DAY TRAINING

Our daily program is offered from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm five days a week and provides the groundwork toward preparing students for life in the community.  Students register for the classes they wish to take and choose their own goals in the classroom.  Please visit our Adult Day Training  page to see class descriptions.

LOVELAND HOUSE (our residential group home)

OPENING FOR 3 RESIDENTS 

 A co-ed group home licensed for seven residents and two respite beds all as private rooms.  In the home, highly trained professional supervisors teach residents skills such as meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, money management, and personal shopping.  Activities that the residents participate in include Special Olympics, bocce, bowling, boat trips, museum visits, picnics, and dining out.  The Loveland House is licensed and inspected monthly by the State.   Respite care is available to give those not living at Loveland House a chance to experience residential living outside the family home.  Respite stays may be arranged for an evening or up to a month.  For more information, contact Ken Badolato, Loveland House manager, at 941-493-0016, ext. 335, or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SUPPORTED LIVING

Provides a range of services for students desiring to live on their own, which include: assisting in housing selection; setting up the home (decorating, furniture placement, etc.); teaching organizing, time management, money management, meal planning, cooking, cleaning, and basic maintenance skills; assistance with grocery and personal shopping;  coordinating all in-home support services with other providers; helping students build relationship skills with roommates; assisting with home safety plan, medicine schedule, transportation, medical appointments and managing third party benefits; help prioritize students' daily responsibilities; mediate disputes between roommates or with landlords; providing 24-hour on-call service for emergencies.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

This program helps students acquire and keep paid employment and volunteer positions in the community.  There are many students working at businesses from Siesta Key to North Port and Englewood, where the students have become loyal and dedicated workers. 

Job coaches provide help with identifying opportunities, completing applications, choosing appropriate clothing, telling time, hygiene, and transportation. They also assist the student at the job interview and work with the student at the job site.  As the student masters the position's requirements, the coach decreases the time at the job as the student's ability to work independently increases.

Loveland students also volunteer with community organizations such as the Suncoast Humane Society and the Selby Foundation.  Some other ways in which students volunteer include: delivering lunches for Meals on Wheels, logging in returned books at our local libraries, and working with children at an elementary school.  All these experiences build self-esteem and improve social skills while allowing students to explore areas of personal interest. 

 There are now 14 Loveland students volunteering their time to others.  It means a great deal to the students to know that they are making a difference in people's lives and making positive contributions to the community.


PHASE II (day training for our older and more severely disabled students)

Phase II is Loveland Center’s day training program for students 50 years of age or older, and younger students with more severe disabilities, especially those who have difficulty with ambulating and require more one on one care. We provide a loving environment for those who need that extra special attention.  Our activities include community outings, academics, motor skills, sewing groups; and a time to relax watching movies or listening to music.  We have 3 staff and numerous volunteers who facilitate small group interaction and encourage student participation.   Our activites include:

• Exercise
• Memory Games
• Socialization
• Bathrooming
• Shower & change clothes when “accidents” occur
• Crafts & Sewing
• Music Therapy   
• Academics
• Current Events
• Safety & Health
• Motor Skills Maintenance
• Community Activities
• Snack and Lunch Preparation
• Lessons and activities that teach  respect for self and others

HOW TO ENROLL:   Contact Janis Alberti, Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President of Student Services, at 941-493-0016, ext. 302, for an application.  Help with paying for services is available through the Florida Medicaid Waiver Program, and transportation is available through SCAT Plus. 

Florida State Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Venice is located in District 23 (“Suncoast Region”), 800-741-8687 (Tampa) or
800-615-8720 (St. Pete)

Local office in Venice:  941-480-3600

SCAT Plus:  941-861-1234