Services We Provide
Dre’s Haven is a program that provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a natural home setting.
- Residential Program
- Day Program/Transition to Independent Living (TTIL)
- Vocational/Supported Employment Services
- Support Services
Our Programs
Individualized Services
Dre’s Haven recognizes that each person with intellectual and developmental disabilities has their own unique strengths and areas requiring supports. As a result, all programs are individually designed to better strengthen and support those needs.
We create safe and secure home environments enabling individuals to establish meaningful social and vocational connections in their community. Dre’s Haven works in partnership with the individual, their families and other members of their team to strengthen skills that foster increased independence and autonomy. We use a holistic approach with each person we support taking into consideration the physical, social, emotional, vocational, and cognitive needs of each person.
Residental Program
Home / What We Do / Housing / Residential Programs
Welcome Home
Dre’s Haven’s Residential Program offers a continuum of person-centered programs, services and supports in a personalized home environment to adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities
Our community-based home provides the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to live as independently as they can and become integral community members, neighbors, co-workers, and volunteers.
Personal Advancement and Recreational Activities
An Individualized Development Program is built for each resident based on his needs, personal preferences, goals and abilities. The program uses recreation time to develop skills through integration in the community, such as activities in the community center, clubs, shopping, etc.
Strengthening the Bond with Family
Family visits, attending activities and events in the community with family members and friends are greatly encouraged, and we place great emphasis on natural supports and maintaining the residents’ connection to their families and community.
Staff
Each apartment is assigned an apartment supervisor, counselors, a social worker, a medical nurse, a psychologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, art therapists, and a home economics instructor. Dieticians and provide guidance through partnership with the residents’ health clinics.
Program Highlights
- Assist in finding safe, affordable housing and assuring that program participants live in the least restrictive setting possible
- Support individuals to live a self-directed life through a model that is individualized in meeting the specific needs of the participant
- Support in accessing and understanding medical services
- Provide payee-ship and budgeting support for those who need assistance in managing their finances
- Offer training and life skill-building to promote independence, both in the home and in the community.
- Encourage individuals to participate in activities that are meaningful and align with their interests.
- Provide opportunities for community integration and community inclusion
- Access to staff 24 hours a day for emergencies
Dre's Haven provides adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities with residential support and advocacy and the opportunity to live an inclusive, self-directed life and to maintain status and independence in the community of their choosing.
All employees are Certified in CPR, First Aid and are Supported by Living Coaches and or/Registered Behavior Technicians. Mandatory trainings through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities is required to be completed by all employees within 90 days of employment.
For additional information regarding our services, please contact us at 229-398-8810 or at info@dreshaven.com
Transition To Independent Living (TTIL) Academy
Envision at Dre’s Haven’s innovative Transition to Independent Living (TTIL) Program incorporates a curriculum of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and Life Skills with skill building, recreational, vocational, social, and “real world” activities and experiences
Dre’s Haven’s TTIL Program operates Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and provides door-to-door transportation
*At Dre’s Haven, social, vocational, and “real world” activities take place during community-based activities and instruction (CBIs) on a weekly schedule.
Vocational Training Program And Supported Employment Services
We believe that all people can lead productive, fulfilling lives as contributing members of their communities. Comprehensive employment services at Dre’s Haven assist individuals with disabilities with an array of employment needs, from prevocational training to supported employment. In addition to the broad array of employment services we provide to people with disabilities and youth-at-risk, Dre’s Haven also works with schools to connect youth with vital services to enhance employment opportunities in adult life and provides support to employers who are building an inclusive workforce with opportunities for people with disabilities.
Our unique vocational program is comprised of several social enterprises and provide participants with internships and other opportunities to make friends and develop socialization skills while exploring the world of work. Participants receive hands-on training and supported employment to develop skills that will be helpful in pursuing competitive employment goals and live full, joyful lives.
Supported Employment
An opportunity to go to work and build a brighter future.
There is power in having a job to call your own, and we believe that meaningful employment provides crucial opportunities for independent living. Our residents have the chance to experience more independence, to take pride in their work, and to feel like contributing members of their community.
Dre’s Haven collaborates with local businesses to successfully place our residents in jobs throughout Orange and surrounding counties
Individual Supported Employment
Based on your loved one’s needs, Supported Employment allows members to seek full-time, competitive employment in a group or individual setting.
Our Individual option is ideal for members looking to secure and maintain competitive, customized or self-employment. Individual members receive supports that help them find paid opportunities in an integrated setting, including:
- Training and systematic instruction.
- Job coaching.
- Benefit supports.
- Job development.
- Travel training.
- Job site analysis.
There is no limit to what our Employment Services team will do to help our members reach their full potential. Contact us today to help your loved one find their dream job.
Depending on the member’s strengths and interests, Prevocational Training can teach your loved one:
- Interpersonal skills/Effective communication.
- Time management.
- Job application instruction.
- Professional boundaries.
- Interview skills.
- Computer skills.
- Resume writing.
Career Planning
DRE’S PATHWAY CAREER DAY
Through career planning, members receive assistance to help them obtain, maintain, or advance in competitive employment or self-employment.
Our focused, time-limited service helps members identify a career direction and develop a plan for achieving competitive, integrated employment at or above the state’s minimum wage.
Members who participate in career planning work with staff to evaluate their skills and interests using a variety of different tools and assessments, including:
- Job preference inventory.
- Job sampling.
- Situational assessment.
- Adult vocational profile.
- Job skills inventory.
- Individual skills inventory.
Prevocational Training
DRE AND HIS DAD, DRE SR.
Prevocational Training helps members gain general strengths and skills that increase their competitiveness for potential job opportunities. Whether these skills translate to paid employment, volunteer work, or participation in the Dre’s Haven job club, our employment services team strives to connect your loved one with the ideal resources.
Dre’s Haven Supports Families
Families caring for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities at home may need help from time to time to handle particular challenges.
Services may be needed to assist with everyday issues or special needs that arise on a crisis basis, such displays of violent behaviors, referrals, and caregiver training and assistance.
BEN AND DENISE
QUINTON AND HIS FAMILY
Family Behavior Support Program
This program provides short-term behavioral consultation to families who have an adolescent or young adult child with developmental disabilities who resides at home and exhibits serious challenging behaviors.
These may be individuals whose residential status at home may be at risk or whose challenging behaviors are causing family stress, compromising the family's quality of life, or inhibiting successful community inclusion.
Information & Family Support
We listen. We empower. We connect.
JOHNATHAN AND HIS MOM, JOYCE
Parent to Parent (P2P) program which believes that often the most valuable form of support comes from other parents who have traveled the road before you. We understand the emotions, myths, and realities of parenting a child with a disability. We don’t necessarily solve a family’s problem, but we are willing to listen and share our own experiences. Our staff is composed of parents, siblings, and extended family members of people with disabilities. P2P provides many opportunities for parents to connect through:
- Community events
- Support Groups - Including Facebook and Google Groups
- Helping Parent Matches in which we link parents with a trained mentor parent who shares similar life experiences
If you are interested in becoming a Helping Parent or would like a mentor match:
We listen to individual and family stories without judgement. Our team understands the unique challenges and joys found within the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community and is available to listen to concerns and suggest resources or support.
We empower individuals and families by providing tips and tools to locate, access, and navigate the various I/DD resources and services in Orange County. We also empower individuals and families by showing them that they are not alone in their journey.
We connect individual and families with resources as well as with each other to develop a network of support.
VANCE SR. AND VANCE JR.
TAZ AND HER MOM, TAMIKA
AUSTIN AND HIS DAD, KAI
Community Participation Support (CPS) Services
CPS services enable adults with intellectual disabilities to participate more fully in community activities – such as groups, associations, clubs, and volunteer opportunities – thus increasing independence, self-esteem, and skills. Specific goals include:
- Increasing potential for employment
- Learning to navigate the community using public and private transportation
- Identifying and participating in activities that are fulfilling and provide a sense of responsibility
- Developing and maintaining relationships and social networks
To discuss our Community Participation Supports program, please contact, Tonja Jones-Blount at 229-398-8810 or by email at tajjonesblount@dreshaven.com.
DRE AND HIS PROM DATE, LAQUISHA
QUINTON
CIARRA WITH TIM TEBO
TAJ AND EL GETTING MADEIROS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY
MADEIROS BACK ON HIS FEET, POSING WITH HIS AUNT DEBBIE
Dre has lived a somewhat “normal” life in the community; weekly dining out, shopping trips and gym workouts, conducting business at the bank and post office, going to the movies, etc. However, one of his favorite things to do is to boss a barber! Dre loves a fresh cut and shave and maintains special relationships with the barbers whom he has trusted to keep his mane fresh since the age of one. Dre has a personal barber (or two) on deck in every city that he’s lived in.
TIM THOMPSON, DRE’S VERY FIRST BARBER.
GEORGE, ORLANDO, FL
JAKE, PINE HILLS, FL
DRE’S COUSIN AND BARBER CHRIS THOMAS, TALLAHASSEE, FL
ARTURO FLOWERS, PERRY, FLORIDA
BLADE THE BARBER, DECATUR, GA
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP
Dre’s Haven is dedicated to advocacy on the local, state, and national level.
Support and Advocacy from Orange County Mayor, Jerry Demings
(Anita Whitby Davis (l) and Tonja Jones-Blount (r)
Support and Advocacy from Florida State House Representative Halsey Beshears
(Seated) Tonja, Lawrence, and Dre
DRE’S HAVEN’S LEGISLATIVE PARTNERS:
Senator Randolph Bracy, House Representatives Geraldine Thompson and Travaris McCurdy
OCOEE COMMISSIONER GEORGE OLIVER, TAJ & EL BLOUNT, AND MELISSA MYERS (DIST 40 STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATE)
DRE SR. AND DRE JONES
Voices of Adults with Autism
No one can fully understand what it’s like to parent a child with autism or other intellectual disability or developmental disability and behavioral challenges, except those who live it daily.
Voices of Adults with Autism is a support group that gives parents of adult children with autism or other IDDs and behavioral challenges served by Dre’s Haven a place to meet and platform on which to share, encourage, and support one another.
Under the leadership of our founder, Tonja Jones-Blount, the support group sponsors both casual gatherings and workshops that provide education, guidance, and information for parents of adult children with disabilities.
As the director of the Voices of Adults with Autism program, Tonja focuses on two core goals of the program: ensuring that Dre’s Haven always considers the parent/guardian advocate experience and providing ongoing opportunities for parents, guardian advocates, and caregivers to connect and interact with each other while navigating the care experience.
How to Get Involved
The success of the Voices of Adults with Autism support group relies on caring, committed, and involved parents. The more voices that are added to the discussion, the more everyone in the group benefits. We’d love to have you join our group.
Please contact us at 229-398-8810 or info@dreshaven.com .
Advocating For Your Loved One
Being an advocate for a person with a disability means understanding and standing up for their rights and respecting their dignity. Here are a few ways you can make a difference.
Know Your Rights
It’s the most basic of positions: People with developmental, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities have all the rights of any American citizen. They’re human rights—civil rights.
In general, three federal laws have been created to protect people with disabilities:
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1972 made it illegal for federally funded programs and institutions to discriminate against people with disabilities.
- The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) was originally passed in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and affirms that children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and more.
In some cases, the person you’re caring for may not be able to assert their rights. It’s important that you always advocate in the best interest of the individual, understanding that your own opinions or desires are secondary to those of the person you’re representing. If what you want and what your loved one wants are in conflict, you may need to withdraw from the decision-making process and find another advocate.
Your Rights in Action
Any person who knows, or has reason to suspect, that a person with a developmental disability is being abused, neglected, or exploited by a relative, caregiver, or household member or, in the case of self-neglect, by themselves, is required to report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (or 1-800-962-2873).
Parent Education and Support Groups provide families with information related to issues that encompass the needs of adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They’re also a great opportunity for families to meet and enjoy the company of other families with similar experiences.
Dre’s Haven is committed to advocating for the rights of the individuals we support, and there are many ways for families to get involved as well. Dre’s Haven recognizes the importance of information sharing and networking among the people we support and their families. We also recognize that you may not know where to turn to get direction and guidance.
