Community Services provides opportunities for individuals who have chosen to donate their time, energy, and creativity to engage and make connections by volunteering in their communities. Our engagement in the community benefits the people and organizations we connect with. Examples of organizations we interact with are: skilled care facilities, senior centers, hospice, elementary schools, churches, hospitals, meals on wheels, and we’re always open to new opportunities.

Through a variety of person centered activities, our program participants are empowered to strive for greater independence and personal growth. The overwhelmingly positive response we receive from the community is a huge part of how the program opens doors for those we support and lets people in the community see what we have to offer.

Looking at individuals strengths with a person centered approach our program also offers individuals served the opportunity to participate in a variety of community life experiences. This side of our program has an emphasis of assisting individuals served in understanding and practicing their communication skills and participating in health and wellness activities within their communities.

The JCDS Emerging Artists Program exists to develop the skills of Emerging Artists so that they may reach their full potential and receive income through the sale of their art. It provides an opportunity for this group to build meaningful relationships with professional artists in settings that are typical for those who are part of the local art community. The Emerging Artists are in varying stages of their artistic development and have all expressed a strong passion and enthusiasm for creating art. It has been a joy to witness the personal growth that has occurred, particularly in the areas of self-expression, communication and self-esteem. Creating art has also provided an opportunity to earn money in an industry that is not typically an option for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

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JCDS promotes the values of “Employment First” with a focus on integrated, community-based employment for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to earn at or above the minimum wage as the first option. If competitive integrated employment is not an immediate goal or inaccessible in the short term, JCDS offers a variety of on-site and community-based employment and community volunteer service options for individuals with all levels of support needs. For retired citizens, and for those impacted by significant health-related conditions, JCDS provides a variety of meaningful day activities.

To participate in any of the services or programs that are available at JCDS, one must first be determined eligible under CDDO guidelines. Visit the CDDO online to learn more about this process. Every service listed in JCDS service pages and every private provider for developmental services in our area require CDDO eligibility to participate.

After determining eligibility, you will meet with the CDDO to select service providers. All the services described on these web pages are provided and managed by JCDS, and you will need to select JCDS as a Day and Employment service provider to participate in them. In addition, not all services listed may be currently accepting new participants. JCDS services are but one of many options: there are many other private entities in our area that provide day and employment services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You can find a list of other local day and employment service providers on the CDDO webpage.

Contact

Amy Fair
Community Employment Team Leader
(913) 826-2223

Meet Olga

Olga was part of our Project SEARCH internship class of 2016-2017 who got a full-time job before she graduated. Check out her story:

You can see more employment success stories on our YouTube channel.

Work Enrichment Services

Life Enrichment Services

Papercrete Works is a social enterprise program created by JCDS employees and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Papercrete is a mixture of cement, water and recycled paper. The crew of individuals served and staff work together to pour it into molds to create products for sale such as picture frames, planters and decorative bowls. Individuals served by JCDS who participate in the program earn an hourly wage for mixing and pouring the papercrete, shredding newspaper to go into the mixture, finishing the products and working at art shows and events where the product is sold. Proceeds from the sales go back into the program.

The program received a grant from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission. This funding allowed JCDS to house the Papercrete Works studio at the InterUrban ArtHouse in downtown Overland Park for six months. 

As part of this grant, Papercrete Works is piloting the fabrication of park benches and has a commitment with Johnson County Park and Recreation District to install six benches in parks by the end of 2017.

For more information about this program, please contact Micah Wickstrom.

Many older adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities prefer to participate in day activities that are typical of those that many seniors enjoy during their retirement years. JCDS retirement activity programs are structured to connect both the aging systems and disabilities networks in empowering older adults with disabilities to have full access to community services. Some of the activities focus on therapeutic intervention as well as involvement in normalized daily routines such as attending movies, memory retention activities, T-Bones baseball games, Rodeos, and music therapy. Opportunities to practice a range of motion and joint flexibility in gym exercise within the community for the purpose of slowing age-related losses in physical reserves in the context of a normal daily activity.

We participate in rehabilitative/habilitative leisure outing opportunities that promote community inclusion and allow individuals to contribute to community life through various volunteering sites and settings. These include programs and organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Stroke Foundation, Kids TLC, KU Pediatrics, Kansas City Hospice House, Library, Shawnee Gardens, Homestead, Growing Futures (Head Start), Yearly “Adopt-a-Senior” Christmas Project, DaVita Dialysis, United Methodist Church, and more. We also provide a Dementia “Room” where trained support professionals observe and assist individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s to understand their interests, capabilities, strengths, and needs. Staffs provide immediate and frequent verbal encouragement, build on skills and capabilities and use repetition to promote success and positive engagement. Leisure lifestyle education is also provided on a regular basis which promotes choices and self-determination and recognizes the human qualities that exist in all older adults with lifelong developmental challenges.