Opportunities for Inclusion (formerly Greater Waltham Arc or GWArc)

Employment Services provides work training and employment for 75-85 people with developmental disabilities each year. The goal is to maximize each person's independence and inclusion in the community by providing individualized employment training and work skill refinement at small, community-based work sites. Our Community Based Day Supports (CBDS) Program serves adults ages 22 to 65 who have moderate to high developmental skills. CBDS provides each person the opportunity to have a personalized and flexible schedule of therapeutic and educational programming combined with community access integration, social inclusion, leisure/recreation activities and volunteer activities in the community.

School to Work Transitions Program is a highly inclusive program which is designed to transition students with learning challenges from school to work and adult life. The Transitions staff utilizes a variety of individually designed approaches to meet each student's unique needs. Using a student centered, whole life planning approach which involves the student, family members, school personnel, and community members, Transitions has successfully worked with Waltham Public Schools and hundreds of students since 1978 to assure successful transition to the adult world upon graduation. Since 1978, the Waltham Public Schools and Opportunities for Inclusion (formerly GWArc) have worked together to provide vocational education and training to students with special needs. Through this collaboration, we have successfully transitioned hundreds of students into the world of work and adult life for 30+ years.

Adult Family Care is a program for adults with disabilities or elderly individuals who are currently living at home with the care of a family member or friend. The Adult Family Care Program is funded by MassHealth and can provide significant financial support to anyone who is not a spouse and who is not legally responsible for the individual (i.e., not parents of minors or legal guardians) and who provides daily care for the individual. The caregiver is responsible for 24-hour care, including personal care, companionship and meal preparation. Caregivers may receive up to $18,000 tax-free a year (depending on the Level of Care), as well as up to 14 days of respite care. Along with the financial benefit, caregivers will also be able to receive CPR/First Aid training and support from Opportunities for Inclusion staff. A registered nurse and care manager will conduct an onsite assessment to determine eligibility and to evaluate the home in which the individual and caregiver will be living.

Opportunities for Inclusion offers our Recreation PLUS Program, serving adults, adolescents and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Recreation PLUS offers activities held in the community and includes sessions led by experts in the fields of health and wellness, the arts, sports and other areas of interest and ability to participants in the Greater Waltham area.