Support Services

At Allies, we strive to support the “whole person” by providing pathways to independence through our tailored support services.  We take great pride in customizing support to meet each individuals’ unique needs and goals.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Allies Residential Services provide a variety of housing support options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and special needs. Our overarching goal is to help support a safe and healthy place for individuals to live and thrive; and help them integrate into their local communities. To learn more click here.

DAY HABILITATION SERVICES

Allies offers day habilitation services in seven locations throughout the state of New Jersey. Our programs provide the opportunity for participants to engage in a variety of person-centered community and site-based activities that are matched to fit the abilities, interests, and support needs of each attendee. Transportation is provided to and from our day program centers.

Day program locations include:

• Flemington Day Program in Flemington, NJ
• Green Brook Day Program in Green Brook, NJ
• Mercer Day Program in Hamilton, NJ
• Mt. Holly Day Program in Mt. Holly, NJ
• Salem Day Program in Mannington, NJ
• Shore Day Program in Barnegat, NJ
• Wall Day Program in Wall Township, NJ

To register for one of our Day Habilitation programs visit: https://hipaa.jotform.com/211675149121148…

Our day programs’ goals are to:

• Increase participants’ independence in all activities of daily living through staff support; development of critical life skills; and meaningful social and instructional activities personalized to their preferences, skill level, and goals.
• Promote and help maintain the physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being of program participants.
• Engage participants in community activities to develop their peer and organizational relationships, encourage leisure interests, and promote community integration.

We achieve these goals through community engagement, health and wellness initiatives, skill development and daily living instruction.

For more information, please contact Beth Lopez, V.P. of Vocational Services, at bcarey@alliesnj.org or 609-689-0136 x 5740.

PROJECT GROW HORTICULTURAL THERAPY PROGRAM

A highlight of our day habilitation programs is our much-loved horticultural therapy program – Project Grow. Project Grow participants receive an education in the many benefits that gardening can provide, such as increasing health and wellness, supplying your own food, and stress reduction through the enjoyment of nature and being outdoors. 

Project Grow’s gardens are located throughout New Jersey at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) in West Windsor and Duke Farms Community Garden in Hillsborough. We also have accessible raised garden beds outside Allies Day Programs including Mercer Day Program in Hamilton, Flemington Day Program in Flemington, and Mt. Holly Day Program in Mt. Holly. These raised beds allow individuals of various abilities, including those using wheelchairs, to participate in the program and experience the joys of gardening. Zoom sessions expand the reach of the program even wider, allowing those who cannot physically visit the gardens to participate in the comfort of their own home.

In addition to providing therapy and education through horticulture, Project Grow aims to give back to local communities. Each year we donate our harvests to food banks, such as the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank in Ewing Township. In 2021 we donated 2,000 pounds of fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers to food banks in need. Over the winter, Project Grow participants use a mix of flowers, lavender and lemon balm grown in our gardens to make potpourri gift items for assisted living and nursing homes. Gardening and giving back go hand-in-hand with Project Grow.

Allies would like to thank Mercer County Community College and Duke Farms Community Garden for their support of Project Grow, and express sincere appreciation to Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen and the National Garden Bureau for their grants that help make the program possible.

For more information about Project Grow, or to sponsor the program, please contact Beth Lopez, V.P. of Vocational Services, at bcarey@alliesnj.org or 609-689-0136 x 5740.

VOCATIONAL SERVICES

Since 2000, Allies’ Vocational Services have supported individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in finding innovative ways to secure meaningful employment opportunities and become proud members of the workforce. Our Vocational Services include:

•            Individualized Supported Employment (NJ and DE)

•            Small Group Supported Employment (NJ and DE)

•            Transition Services (NJ and DE)

•            Pre-vocational Services featuring our Bake Studio Training Program (NJ)

Individualized Supported Employment Services 

Allies offers Individualized Supported Employment Services for people with IDD who are seeking support in obtaining and maintaining competitive or customized employment, as well as self-employment. Services are tailored to the unique needs of each job seeker, and may include Pre-Placement and Job Development, Job Coaching, Long-Term Follow Along Support, and Travel Training.

Pre-placement and Job Development

•            Creation of a vocational profile for each individual to determine their personal skills, interests, abilities, availability, work experience, and employment prospects

•            Assessments to identify appropriate job placements

•            Job development including support with the job search and the application and interview process

•            Assistance with improving job seeking skills

•            Job site analysis to ensure that the employer/company is a good fit for each individual

•            Addressing concerns and providing solutions to barriers and retention

•            Relationship-building with community stakeholders and local businesses to create opportunities for networking

Job Coaching

•            Assistance with orientation and new hire activities

•            On-site job coaching

•            Direct training on job duties and tasks

•            Development of strategies to support an individual in being a success in their new job, including walking an individual through the steps of each task so they can complete it independently, adaptations to support individuals’ needs, and the establishment of beneficial connections and support from colleagues.

•            Travel training to educate individuals on how to get to and from work

•            Support in helping an employee communicate effectively with their employer

Long Term Follow Along Support and Job Coaching

•            Support with job stabilization to aid individuals in maintaining satisfactory job performance

•            Addressing changes to job duties and tasks

•            Guidance in meeting standards of a new supervisor

•            Exploration of new career opportunities and ways to grow

Allies Small Group Supported Employment Services

Allies’ dynamic Small Group Supported Employment program, the Maintenance Crew Training Program (MCTP), presents a true pathway to employment for people with IDD. MCTP’s curriculum applies evidence-based practices that prepare individuals for the workplace, targets growth areas, and teaches skills needed for long-term job retention and success in the modern-day workforce.

Participants in MCTP learn various skills in indoor and outdoor sanitization, as well as gardening and landscaping, and are paid as they train and while they work. Individuals receive pre-vocational classes, on-going workplace assessments, task mastery, and transportation to and from the program as well. At the end of the one-year program, Allies assists participants in finding permanent employment opportunities, supported by a blend of our individualized supported employment services.

Transition Services

Individuals aged 14-21 can receive Transition Supported Employment and Pre-Employment Services. These services prepare students and young adults with disabilities to move from school to post-school life. Allies connects with local school districts to provide customizable and person-centered services that can open doorways to employment opportunities and a bright future.

For more information about our Individualized Supported Employment, Small Group Supported Employment, and Transition Services contact Beth Lopez, Vice President of Vocational Services, at bcarey@alliesnj.org or 609-689-0136, extension 5740.

Pre-vocational Services

Allies’ offers pre-vocational services through their unique Bake Studio Training Program located in Greenbrook, NJ. Under the auspices of a trained instructor, participants receive education that is focused on the food industry. The program takes place in a fully functional culinary space and store front, complete with commercial equipment and industry standard supplies. This creates a seamless transition from pre-vocational training, to a community-based, competitive work environment.

Training opportunities are focused on the food industry and include training on how to work as a host, greeter, busser, server, in shipping and receiving, as well as working at the counter or managing a cash register.

In addition to the advantage of learning in a true business environment, participants learn through an exploratory training model, which applies a curriculum consisting of oral, written and video lesson plans supported by hands-on, practical training. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation.  Participants learn:

 Prevocational soft skills:

• Resume creation and the job application process
• Interview skills
• Workplace social skills
• The value of teamwork
• Work ethics

Transferrable Job Skills

• Food prep and safety skills
• Culinary skills, including bakery art
• Register skills
• Retail merchandising
• Money handling
• Customer service
• Marketing
• Dishwashing
• Stocking

For more information about the Bake Studio Training Program, please contact Joe Gleason, Director of Vocational Services, Northern Region, at jgleason@alliesnj.org or at 609-414-6664.

Health Services – Medical, Nursing and Behavioral Support

At Allies, we are dedicated to supporting the “whole” individual – physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. We achieve this through a population health management approach that integrates our nursing and behavioral support services, allowing us to offer gold star healthcare to those we serve.

Our team-based, holistic approach to care improves health outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), reduces the cost of care provided, and helps individuals reach their highest potential at home, at work, while at their day habilitation programs, and while enjoying activities within the community.

Healthcare Coordination

Promoting and protecting the health of those with IDD is paramount to our mission. Our program and nursing teams strive to ensure that those we care for have access to medical care that meets their unique needs, including preventative services, primary care, and specialty care services. We coordinate visits to medical providers and advocate on behalf of individuals to help ensure the delivery of safe, appropriate and effective care. Our teams also educate and support individuals so that they can play an active role in maintaining their own health and well-being.

Home-Based Healthcare and Advanced Support

For individuals with more advanced healthcare needs, Allies offers nine Medical Group Homes. Our Medical Group Homes provide customized medical care for those with IDD and are staffed by nurses and program staff that are highly skilled and trained in medical and behavioral crisis management. Residents of these homes are able to enjoy the comforts and security of a natural, home-like environment, while receiving the medical care and special support that they need to stay healthier, live longer and age in place.

Behavioral Support Services

Approximately 40 percent of individuals who have a diagnosis of IDD also have a mental illness and/or behavioral challenges. To support the needs of this population, Allies has a team of dedicated Behavior Specialists that work with individuals to provide interventions that transform challenging behavior into constructive and adaptive behaviors that improve the quality of their lives. Each individual receives a personal assessment and customized support and treatment plans based on their particular behavior, personality, and goals.

For more information about our health services please contact us:  

Medical and Nursing Support: Dawn King, President of Integrated Health Services, at dking@alliesnj.org or 609-698-0136, x 4712.

Behavioral Support Services: Dr. Christine Walker, Director of Behavioral Health Services, at cwilliams0@alliesnj.org or 609-689-0136 x 3099.

Community Inclusion & Recreation

At Allies, we believe in caring for the “whole” individual and promoting community inclusion. This means that along with supporting individuals’ daily living needs, we strive to provide opportunities for them to learn, grow, socialize, and connect with each other and the community. To learn more click here.