Adult Services
A Meaningful Day,
A Meaningful Future
At Project Hope Foundation, we believe that every individual deserves a day filled with purpose, connection, and growth. Our Adult Services program is designed to replace uncertainty with structure, isolation with engagement, and dependence with increasing independence.
Our Adult Services program provides a structured, supportive environment where individuals can continue to grow, build skills, and engage meaningfully in their community, all at a pace that is right for them.
Who this Program is For
We serve autistic adults across the spectrum, including those who:
-
- Need support with daily living skills
- Are building social and communication skills
- Want to explore work opportunities
- May require ongoing structure and guidance throughout the day
Each participant receives an individualized plan based on their goals, strengths, and support needs.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
Participants attend one, two, or three service blocks per day, Monday through Friday:
-
- 8:30–11:30
- 11:30–2:30
- 2:30–4:30
These blocks are combined to create a schedule tailored to each individual.
A participant’s day may include a mix of:
-
- Skill-building activities
- Social interaction
- Community outings
- Work-based experiences
Core Services
Day Services: Building Everyday Skills
Participants work on:
-
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Independence
- Self-advocacy and self-regulation
A key feature is our Hope House, a real-life home environment where individuals practice:
-
- Cooking and meal routines
- Laundry and household tasks
- Grocery planning
- Shared living skills
Participants also engage in weekly community outings, where skills are practiced in real-world settings.
Career Preparation & Group Employment
We provide hands-on opportunities to build job skills in a supportive setting.
Many participants work in Printed by Hope, our on-site t-shirt printing business, where they can:
-
- Sort and prepare materials
- Operate equipment
- Manage inventory
- Package and fulfill orders
- Group Employment: Paid work opportunities
- Career Preparation: Skill-building in an apprenticeship-style role
Because this work happens in our own facility, we can adjust tasks and expectations to match each individual’s abilities, creating a pathway to success.
Individualized Employment
For individuals ready for community-based work, we provide:
-
- Job placement support
- On-site job coaching
- Ongoing guidance and skill development
Support is gradually adjusted over time, with the goal of increasing independence and long-term success in the workplace.
ABA Therapy (When Appropriate)
Some participants also receive individualized ABA therapy to support:
-
- Behavior challenges
- Skill development
- Increased independence
A Clinically Guided Program
Our Adult Services are:
-
- Designed and overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Implemented by trained staff
- Focused on measurable progress over time
This ensures that each participant is not just supervised—but actively learning and growing.
Funding & Access:
We accept:
- Medicaid waiver funding (Community Supports Waiver and ID/RD Waiver)
- Private pay
Waiver funding typically covers up to two service blocks per day.
Because waiver programs often have waiting lists, early planning is important.
Planning for Adulthood
We encourage families to start exploring options upon entering teen years, including:
-
- Employment pathways
- Guardianship or decision-making supports
- Social Security eligibility (SSI/SSDI)
- Transportation options
- Long-term funding (waivers)
This early planning creates more choices and better outcomes.
Some Things to Think About…
College
If college is a viable option, be aware that educational institutions are beginning to provide increased support for individuals with disabilities, including Section 504 plans. A “certificate” earned through an IEP will not be recognized by most colleges and universities; a high school diploma or GED will be required.
Employment
By 10th grade, a student with autism can be part of the Vocational Rehabilitation planning. We focus on employment skills in our Hope Alive program.
Guardianship
The only way for a parent to maintain the ability to make decisions for their child beyond the age of majority (usually 18) is to be given legal guardianship (a court-ordered arrangement that gives one person legal authority to make decisions on behalf of someone who has been deemed “incapacitated.”) This process may require an attorney and take months to complete.
Health Insurance
Private insurance policies may allow continued coverage for disabled adult children.
Seizures
It has been estimated that 25% of individuals with autism begin to have seizures during puberty.
Sexuality
Often, sexuality is overlooked for this population. For many on the autism spectrum who require support, caregivers must consider this aspect of life to be sure that individuals have sufficient self knowledge and personal safety skills.
Social Security
An adult deemed “disabled” by the Social Security Administration may be eligible for either Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) or Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”).
Transportation
If a driver’s license is an option, consider opportunities to provide extra practice as early as possible. If not, think about increased training in the use of public transportation, bicycling, or walking trails.
Waivers
Some funding is available through Medicaid waivers, but typically a long waiting list exists to obtain a waiver “slot.” Talk with your service coordinator about how and when to get on these waiting lists.
On-site Employment Opportunities
Project Hope believes that paid employment should be an option for those who are not suited for competitive 40-hour/week jobs. We want to empower people to start with small increments of work and to build upon success. To make that path possible, we have developed on-site in-house employment opportunities for janitorial services and for participating in our Printed by Hope business; both options provide minimum wage jobs while allowing time to practice other important skills. Printed by Hope is a digital shirt-printing operation with six major pieces of equipment, three stockrooms, and an on-line presence. This business has positions that range from opening boxes and sorting shirts by color to managing the machinery and handling our website-based store. These employees also have opportunities to work face-to-face with the public. Having completed 25,000+ prints, our group has made measurable gains in their social engagement, effective communication, and independent job skills. We invite you to check out our store and to consider Printed by Hope for any custom printing needs you may have.
