Personal Development and Social Growth |
After School Program
Participants in the After School program include individuals from the Adult Day Services program and individuals attending at the conclusion of their school day. Participants in this program engage in structured activities in the areas of: arts/crafts; music; recreation; nature; drama; as well as special holiday and birthday parties. This program operates from 6:30-9:00 AM, Monday through Friday, and resumes fro 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Prior to and at the conclusion of the After School program, we provide structured care until parents/guardians/ providers are available to pick up their child/adult. During the school year, care is available until 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. If prior arrangements are made, we can provide care until 7:00 PM Monday through Thursday.
We provide care during school breaks, such as spring and Christmas breaks, as well as other holidays when school may not be in session. For emergency early school dismissals registered participants in school, whose parent/legal guardian/provider works, can attend our facility for the remainder of the day. In the event that the Vigo County School Corporation closes for winter weather related issues, Happiness Bag is also closed.
Arrangements must be made with the Covered Bridge Special Education District and Vigo County Special Needs Transportation Department for transportation and to inquire if transportation is available to our facility at the conclusion of the school day. For those attending Spectrum, arrangements must also be made with their staff for transportation to our facility. Additional transportation services have been provided by the Area 7 Agency for Aging and Disabled and the Terre Haute City Bus. All transportation fees are the responsibility of the individual participant, unless other arrangements have been established with the Executive Director.
Friday Night Dances
 Right, photo from 2011 Happiness Bag Prom
The Friday Night Dances occur approximately every other month. Sometimes the dances have a holiday theme and other times, it is just a good old fashioned social. All of our dances have our very own special DJ, Nancy of Songbird Karaoke. The admission fee for the dances is generally donations of paper products, snack or craft-related items and at Christmas time, gifts for the Mental Health Association's Christmas Gift List.
Friend's / Venture Crew
Our newly redesigned Friend's/Venture Crew operates in conjunction with Boy Scouts of America. This group for guys and gals meets at least two Saturdays each month, working to earn pins for their "Venture Crew" letter. The group also conducts their own fundraising event, making "Cookies in a Jar." The funds raised from this event assist in funding various overnights and parties throughout the year. | |
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Adult Services & Respite Care |
Adult Day Services
This program is designed for individuals who have completed their formal education. These friends are generally 21 years of age or older. The primary focus of this program is to assist and instruct the participants in maintaining current skill levels, to adapt current skills to "real life" situations and to provide the participants with a meaningful day of activities. Themes addressed during structured activity time are emergency response, cleanliness, decision-making, the body, nutrition, seasons, countries, modes of transportation, feelings, self-esteem, safety, wildlife, outer space, exercise/recreation, and community outings. The activities are planned to meet the needs of all participants regardless of ability level.
This program is offered year-round, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Participants bring a non-perishable lunch with them daily and for those who stay after 3:00 PM, a nutritious snack is provided. This program has been approved to accept individuals who are receiving Medicaid Waiver services established by the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities through one of the following waivers: Developmental Disabilities waiver, Autism waiver, and the Support Services waiver.
Respite Care ProgramThis program provides parents/caregivers with a needed "respite." The respite can be provided in the home of the participant or in the community. It is asked that respite services be scheduled at least two weeks in advance so that staffing can be obtained. Respite services cannot be scheduled while a parent/caregiver is working or attending school, nor while the Adult Day Service or Summer Day camp programs are in session. Respite services are available to individulas receiving Medicaid Waiver services or as a private pay service.
Respite Weekends
Throughout the year, we will offer various Respite Care Weekends for our participants. Participants will be taken on a "first come, first serve" basis and will spend the weekend at the Center providing parents and/or caregivers with a needed break and the participant with an opportunity to spend time with their friends, just like a "slumber party." | |
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Recreation |
Special Olympics
 Left, photo from 2011 Indiana State Summer Games.
Any individual with an intellectual disability and at least 8 years of age is offered the opportunity to participate in programs offered by Special Olympics Indiana through our agency. All of the athletes that participate in the Special Olympics programs must submit physical forms, applications for participation, and a signed Code of Conduct prior to participation in any sport.
Each sport program includes a required eight week training/practice session. Athletes receive quality training and instruction from volunteers who have been trained and certified through a mandatory certification program required by Special Olympics International which includes: passing national criminal background checks; receiving training through a certified volunteer orientation program; and receiving training specifically for each sport.
Sports programs offered are: Spring and Fall Bowling; Athletics; Aquatics; Basketball; Bocce (for athletes 30 years of age & older); Softball; and Unified Volleyball.
BowlingRight, photo from 23rd Annual Bowl for Happiness fundraiser
Bowling is held on Friday evenings in the fall and spring at the Terre Haute Bowling Center and on Sunday afternoons at Patrick's in Sullivan. In the fall, bowlers work on their skills to gain ribbons and medals during competition in the Indiana Special Olympics. During the spring session, bowlers strive for trophies awarded at our Annual Awards banquet in the summer. We utilize ramps, handle balls, etc. for those in need of extra assistance. Anyone regardless of his or her degree of disability can bowl. We have the distinction of having the only bowling league solely designed for individuals with special needs. The Terre Haute league is the single largest organized bowling league in the Wabash Valley, averaging nearly 130 bowlers each season.
Summer Day Camp
Happiness Bag will again be hosting a Summer Day Camp program for school-aged individuals. The camp program will be held Mondays through Fridays, June 13th - August 12th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at our facility. Each week of the program will offer activities in the areas of arts/crafts; recreation/healthy lifestyles; music; nature; or drama. Additionally, each week will provide different themes for participants who attend the program. The Summer Day Camp has the distinction of being the only summer program in the Wabash Valley area solely designed for individuals with special needs.
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Our facility is located directly behind the
Vigo County Fairgrounds and Terre Haute
Action Track.
From the North: Proceed on US Hwy 41
South to West Johnson Avenue. Turn
right on to West Johnson Avenue,
proceeding to Union Road. At Union Road
turn left and continue to the second
building on the right.
From the South: Proceed on US Hwy 41
North to West Johnson Avenue. Turn
left on to West Johnson Avenue,
proceeding to Union Road. At Union Road
turn left and continue to the second
building on the right.
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Programs
