Easter Seals Disability Services

Community Living Services

Easter Seals Arc offers Community Living services for adults living independently in their own apartment or home.  The service is based on the individual needs and choices of the individual.  We can provide support to the individual in accessing community resources, learning about leisure activities available in the community and in developing home maintenance or other skills.

Community Living is also available for children and adults living in the family home.  Services can include skill training, attendant care and leisure activities for individuals or when the family needs time away.      

Adult Foster Care

Another Community Living option is Adult Foster Care.  In Adult Foster Care, an individual with a developmental disability lives with an adult or a family in a home setting.  The adult foster parent provides supervision and support to the individual as well as integrating them into the family unit.  Adult Foster Care homes are certified by Easter Seals Arc prior to client placement.  Adult foster parents and the prospective care receiver are given the chance to meet and visit before placement to ensure a comfortable and successful transition.

Children's Foster Care

Community Living is also provided in the form of Children's Foster Care.  Easter Seals Arc provides special needs (children with MR/DD, medically fragile, behavioral) foster care to youngsters and their siblings in northeast Indiana.  We advocate for all the services that are needed to meet the needs of these children...the ultimate goal always being the reunification of a stabilized family unit.

We support foster parents by providing assistance with behavioral needs, supervision, direct child contact and other services.  Our foster parents are licensed for "special needs" care and create a safe, secure and nurturing atmosphere for the children in their trust.

For important information on supported living programs, contact District 3 of the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS or known as 'beads').  They will be able to provide you with information on eligibility and intake procedures.  The local BDDS office is located at 219 West Wayne Street in Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: (260) 423-2571 or (877) 218-3061, fax: (260) 424-2830

Are you interested in becoming a Foster Care Provider?

Easter Seals Arc has an on-going need for the foster care of adults and children with disabilities.  For more information on the Easter Seals Arc Adult or Children's Foster Care provider programs, please contact us.

For further information on any of our Supported Living programs, contact us.