Programs for Exceptional People offers a wide variety of programs and services for our members.
Overview
Programs for Exceptional People (PEP) operates based on the person-centered approach to service delivery. Program participants, along with their chosen Circle of Support, that is, the people in their lives whom they identify as meaningful, meet at least annually to discuss important needs and desires upon which they would like to work; a thorough process from which individual goals are developed to help the individual to achieve success. PEP offers an array of programs through which the specific objectives are addressed. All of PEP’s programs and services, regardless of the individuals’ specific goals, are provided to increase independence and self-sufficiency, to promote self-determination and optimum quality of life, and to prevent regression and loss of functioning ability.
Day Services Program
Our Day Services program is provided daily. Day Services are appropriate for those who wish to acquire, increase, and/or improve self-help skills, socialization skills, and adaptive living skills. Each member’s goals and corresponding objectives are specific to their needs and abilities. With great attention to detail, members’ training and subsequent progress is systematically measured. As members accomplish their goals, new ones are formulated; once again, only through a meeting involving the individual member and their chosen Circle of Support. Through Day Services, members become increasingly independent and become ready to explore the next possibility. A few of the group programs that are part of Day Services are: exercise classes, book clubs, nutrition and hygiene classes, first-aid and safety classes, recreation opportunities, lunch bunch groups, practical finance classes, community resource utilization groups and current events discussion groups.
Employment Services
Many of PEP’s members have a strong desire to become employed. They have a strong desire to be included, unconditionally accepted in the community and to have opportunities to work and earn income. To develop the skills needed to be successful in the work force, employment services offer prevocational skills training (i.e. task completion, endurance, fine motor skills training, etc.). PEP’s members are employed in one of three ways: The PEP on-site Work Activity Center (WAC) where members fufill contractual work assignments for local businesses at their own pace and are paid based on standardized time trials. PEP members working in the WAC often fold, insert, seal and stamp for newsletters and bulk-mailings that area businesses, organizations and printers are distributing. A number of PEP’s members are working in Employment Enclaves where a PEP Program Staff Member takes a group to an off-site business to perform work. PEP has Employment Enclaves at Hilton Head Regional Hospital and Carrabbas Restaurant. These members label inventory in materials management and recycle at the hospital and roll silverware in napkins at Carrabbas. PEP also has a few members who are independently employed. These members work at Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, T.J. Maxx, Outback Steakhouse and Goodwill Industries. PEP is always seeking additional work for the Work Activity Center, possible employment enclaves and independent employment for those who are ready for this type of employment.
Recreation and Respite
Some years ago, families expressed concerns that their disabled family members needed increased opportunities for community inclusion and education and increased exposure to new experiences. Families expressed that their disabled family member spent too much time isolated from others and engaged in repetitive activities. Additionally, families began to speak out about the desperate need for respite opportunities.
In response to these concerns, Programs for Exceptional People developed the Recreation & Respite Program (R&R) to address the emerging needs of the individuals and families that we serve. This unique program acknowledges the power of well-formed groups to encourage socialization, communication, and cooperation among participants. The R&R project is a structured activity program, offering a variety of learning experiences through the ten to twelve community-based activities each month. The activities offer experiences that are in nature, cultural, educational, physical, and creative. The R&R program intends that participants actively enjoy their community while developing personal skills and overcoming unique, individual challenges through the project’s activities. An added benefit is that families and caregivers will have the opportunity for ten to twelve respite periods each month, which will refresh them and enable them to continue the successful fulfillment of their roles. All activities are offered after PEP normal hours in the afternoon, evening and/or on the weekends.
Arts in Motion
PEP’s Arts in Motion program is designed to enhance creativity among program members in a professional environment. The Arts in Motion program boasts a variety of innovative endeavors through which program participants become true artists. For example, PEP members receive professional ball room dancing lessons and then demonstrate their abilities in professional performances that command audiences of hundreds. Also, the Arts in Motion program features a hand-chime choir lead by a professional music therapist. The PEP Hand-Chimers perform during the community holiday ceremony, for local civic and faith-based groups, and entertain the older adult residents of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
In addition, the Arts in Motion program invites professional artists in to PEP throughout the year to spend one to several weeks with participants. The masterpieces that result from these visits are breathtaking. Arts in Motion program participants have learned from a professional mime, a puppeteer, potter, story-teller, photographer and artist. Participants in the Arts in Motion program receive training in photography, painting, drama and other arts and crafts. The Arts in Motion program aims also to increase participants’ self-esteem and satisfaction as well as engage the community.
PEP Pottery
PEP has recently begun a pottery program as a result of a seed grant from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Six PEP Members are engaged in the PEP Pottery program two days a week for two hours each day. They are designing and creating handcrafted, unique pottery bowls, which once glazed and fired are sold through a variety of venues in southern Beaufort County. The PEP Potters receive a portion of the sales of the pottery and the remaining proceeds help fund the pottery program.
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