RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
THE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT offers a wide array of services to adults and children with disabilities designed to promote individual choice and opportunity in the Berks County Community. These services provide opportunities for people with disabilities to become valued and contributing members of the community and develop self-sustaining friendships.
Living options include:
- Traditional Community Homes where an average of three people live in a family atmosphere with professional staff support.
- Supports for Independent Living where individuals reside in apartment settings with minimal staff support of approximately ten to thirty hours per week.
- LifeSharing through Family Living where one or two individuals reside with and as part of a family in the community.
| 1977 | NOW |
| 4 Berks County community homes for 12 children | 27 community homes serving approximately 100 persons. |
| Respite care and family aid in Berks County | 1 respite care center with 3 beds available for use. |
| 4 York County community homes for 12 children | 13 LifeSharing sites where 18 individuals live |
| 4 Lancaster County community homes for 12 individuals | Approximately 40 individuals living at home receiving supports funded through home-based waiver dollars |
| Approximately 400 individuals per year receive family support services, such as family aid, host respite, and center based respite. | |
| Approximately 30 children in Foster Care Services. |
DAY SERVICES
Today the direction of Prospectus Berco’s vocational services stresses community interaction in terms of volunteering, work experience, and employment. Offered are a wide variety of vocational skills training and employment options at our manufacturing facility on William Lane. Prospectus Berco provides businesses throughout the country with automated and manual packaging and subassembly services. In addition, many different volunteer and paid community work experiences are afforded individuals with disabilities employed through Prospectus Berco’s Vocational Services Program. Through the Adult Training Program, individuals are provided with social and recreational activities, work experiences, volunteer opportunities, communication and mobility training, physical therapy, and tactile stimulation.
| 1984 | NOW |
| Facility housed in one building occupying close to 12,000 square feet | Facility housed in one new building which occupies close to 60,000 square feet |
| 15 staff persons served 75 individuals | 70 staff persons serve approximately 275 individuals |
| Vocational Program subcontracted with 6 companies from Eastern Pennsylvania | Vocational Program sub-contracts with 30 companies throughout the USA and Canada |
| Vocational production workers total wages $15,000 annually | Vocational production workers total wages over $82,0000 annually |
SENIOR DAY PROGRAM
Since 1984, Prospectus Berco has been providing Senior Day Program services for Berks County elderly. The program operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. This program provides a variety of health, social, recreational, therapeutic, and family services geared towards the enhancement of each participant’s life within the community. Senior Day Services is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
| 1984 | NOW |
| 4 seniors served | Approximately 35 seniors served annually; average daily attendance is 20 persons between the ages of 50 and 88 |
| 2 staff persons | 5 staff persons |
| Hours: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm | Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm |
Thank you to everyone who has helped make Prospectus Berco one of Berks County’s most valuable resources! We look forward to supporting individuals with disabilities with excellence through the 21st Century.