2009 Service Initiative Grant Competition “The Engaging Race” Proposal Plan

I.  PROJECT DESCRIPTION –

      Capabilities, Inc. Day Habilitation Program

a.  Target Audience

       Many Developmentally Disabled individuals have limited or no mobility and need the use of    mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs.  Due to the inclement weather, individuals will be forced to endure the elements due to not having the appropriate access to the building.

b.  What is the benefit to your audience?

      The estimated changes to the Country Club will benefit the members by keeping them out of the elements.  Due to many health concerns of our members, this will assist in keeping the members safe and healthy.  Safety for the members and the staff is another issue.  With proper accessibility, everyone involved will be able to safely maneuver in and out of the Country Club.  Also, maintaining the property will continue to ensure the Country Club will provide above average care to all who are entrusted with our staff.

c.  While the County Club is up and running, there are issues that still need to be addressed.  

  1. The Country Club is in need of a suitable ramp for people in wheelchairs to maneuver safely in and out of the house.  
  2. The lift van does not fit into the garage due to the garage header being too low. 
  3. There is no access into the Country Club other than the outside door for individuals in wheelchairs so they cannot enter without being in the elements. 
  4. Continued upkeep of the Country Club.
  5. Grant monies are needed to allow individuals not on Medicaid Level I or I/O waivers to benefit from the Country Club.

II.  Goals and Objectives

a.  Replace small ramp at front door with appropriate ADA accessible ramp.  Take bids for plans, lumber, and work.  If possible, find volunteers to assist in building of ramp.

       i.        Pour concrete footers for ramp. Replace (move) sidewalk to line up with ramp if needed. Construct ramp using MCQ (treated lumber) frame, decking and rails. Seal wood to preserve against elements.

       ii.       Volunteers to date:  James Ruck, James Stricker, James Byron and James Benoit, (yes they are all named James but it is a coincidence), Tonia Byron, and Lisa Benoit along with contractor Chris.

       iii.      An ADA ramp is needed to allow wheelchair bound members to safely enter and exit building.

       iv.      Estimated cost for building ramp:  $1500

       v.       Begin construction: October 15, 2009, working weekends and evenings.  Time of completion, one month.  Done by November 14, 2009.

 

b.  Work with contractor build car port and cover for wheelchair ramp as it has been determined that raising garage header and wheelchair lift will be too costly to initiate. By building a car port to accommodate the lift van and enclosing wheelchair ramp, the members will still be provided shelter from inclement weather. 

        i.      Construct ramp roof and car port using MCQ (treated lumber) frame and insert Plexiglas on sides of ramp as well as roofing materials.

        ii.      Project to be completed by local construction company and volunteers.

        iii.      Currently the wheelchair accessible van is too high to enter the garage.  This means that everyone being transported has to enter/exit the van out in the elements.  By building car port and enclosing ramp this issue will be addressed.

         iv.      Estimate: $8500

         v.      Construction to start at the end of October 2009 and completed by November 31, 2009.

 c.  Use money for continued upkeep of Country Club including repairs, supplies, printer/fax machine and van upkeep.

         i.      Weekly ISP reports on members are needed to be sent via fax to service support administers (SSA’s) for the developmentally disabled.  Picture menus and typed menus are created but need to be laminated to protect them.  Black and colored ink for printing. Wheelchair accessible van upkeep (oil changes, tune ups).

         ii.      House manager, Tonia Byron, to purchase fax/printer, laminator, as well as take van in for scheduled maintenance.

        iii.      Without a printer/fax, house manager currently has to drive to another office to fax ISP reports to all SSA’s weekly. Due to daily projects such as creating and printing menus and the need to laminate them for protection, ink and a laminator are needed.  It is essential to keep the van maintained as this is the only transportation we have for the wheelchair bound. Snow and ice removal will be completed prior to van’s arrival to ensure safe entrance into the house.

         iv.      Fax/Printer $100, laminator $100, laminator sheets $50, Van maintenance $750.

        v.      November 15th – December 31st 2009

 d.  Work with staff to set up grant money for potential “Club Members” who do not have the financial ability or Medicaid Waiver to pay for Day Habilitation or field trips.

 

         i.      The Day Habilitation “Country Club” will open its doors every other Friday for any mentally retarded/developmentally disabled to participate in the clubs activities regardless of the ability to pay.  These members will be allowed all the benefits of regular members such as transportation to and from home, lunch, and field trips.

        ii.      Current club members are the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled who, through private funding or through Medicaid participate in the day hab program.

         iii.      A maximum of four new members will be approved using the grant money.

         iv.      This money will provide gas for transportation to and from the individual’s home, lunch and field trips.  The cost will be $25 a day per person.  Field trips will include Bear Creek Farms in Indiana, Neil Armstrong Air Force Museum, YMCA, La Comedia Theater, and Natural Museum of Art.

        v.      $25 per day, twice per month = $50 a month per person.  $50 a month x 12 months x 4 members = $2400 per year.

       vi.      Grant monies shall be deposited in local bank under a savings account.  Tonia Byron, house manager, will keep monthly log on who attends on Fridays.  No one will be turned away due to inability to pay, for as long as grant money is available.  Tonia along with owners, Karen and Bill Blumhorst will be the only ones with access to funds.  Strict accounting of monies will be completed each pay period.  Additional funding will go into the account to help maintain grant.  Currently club members have a good-faith snack cart at Capabilities, Inc. and all proceeds go to assist in funding field trips.   Further marketing will continue in an attempt to set more good-faith snack carts throughout the community.

        vii.      $4000 to be deposited into bank.  $3000 will cover the four individuals for Fridays as well as $1000 for regular club members who might need assistance with funding for field trips.  If any monies are left over for construction, these monies will be placed in grant as well.

         viii.      December 15, 2009 – December 31, 2010

e.  Projected $15,000 budget:

First disbursement check – October 2009

  1. Wheelchair ramp – $1500
  2. Begin car port construction – $3500

Total:  $5000

Second disbursement check – November 2009

  1. Complete car port construction and wheelchair ramp enclosure – $5000

Total:  $5000

 Third disbursement check – December 2009

  1. Day Hab purchases and van maintenance – $1000
  2. Set up Grant money for potential members with local bank – $4000

Total:  $5000

 

Total Budget:  $15000