IGHL opened its first Day Treatment Center in East Moriches in 1982. Due to a growing need for services on the East End of Long Island, a second program was opened in 1987 in Southampton. These programs offer a structured and diverse series of clinical services for individuals who have gone beyond a school program, but still require a structured therapeutic environment. Collectively, 450 individuals receive day services on a daily basis.
Beginning with a thorough analysis of each specific and unique need, a team of highly skilled professionals evaluates the potential in each individual. During a dedicated and caring teaching experience, the progress of each individual is monitored. Committed to helping each person in leading the most productive and independent life possible, the staff of the Day Treatment Centers work towards improving essential skills that are taught in both a conventional classroom setting and out in the community.
The program offers a wide-range of clinical services, which include:
In 2005, IGHL vacated its long standing large Day Treatment facility in Southampton, New York in favor of smaller, more conveniently located Day Habilitation programs scattered throughout the east end of Long Island in Riverhead, Quogue, Southampton, Hampton Bays and East Moriches.
IGHL Day Habilitation programs offer a unique mixture of activities, which are age-appropriate, meaningful and developed on a capacity building approach. The program includes activities and training in areas such as:
The goal of each day habilitation program is to provide the opportunity for all participants to develop basic work skills, become integrated into their community and experience personal growth and most importantly, to achieve their own individual goals as outlined in their individualized service plan or Life Plan.
Located throughout Suffolk County, IGHL operates twelve uniquely different group day habilitation programs, which serve 213 consumers.
The Manorville Opportunity Center Day Habilitation program, which services up to 186 consumers, is located on the ground floor of the administration building, and contains state-of-the-art adaptive devices such as automated doors and personal care facilities and mechanical "lift" systems that aid in the safer transferring of non-ambulatory individuals. This program offers a full range of services including: Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Recreation, Nursing and Physician Services.
The “Camp” Day Habilitation program is located in Center Moriches on the grounds of Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, a summer camp for handicapped children run by the Moriches Rotary Club. This program has 12 individuals and is supervised by three-day habilitation specialists. The main purpose of this program is to care for the camp’s petting zoo, which consists of goats, horses, sheep, chickens, peacocks and rabbits.
The individuals learn the proper feeding procedures for these animals as well as animal maintenance routines such as racking, shoveling and teamwork skills. Community integration trips are planned around the animal needs to places like Agway, King Kullen and farm stands. The individuals have learned that their contribution is essential to the well-being of the farm’s inhabitants. This group also works at the IGHL Organic Farm as a paid work experience. The Organic farms produce produced is distributed to the IGHL residential programs to subsidize the food budgets.
The East End Day Habilitation program is located on Montauk Highway in East Moriches. This program provides unique and creative opportunities for 23 people who are developmentally disabled. Supervised by five staff, the participants perform a variety of volunteer tasks, including litter removal at local parks, beaches and historical sites, deliveries to local food pantries, meals on wheels, performing mailing services and cleaning the facilities and equipment at a local volunteer fire department and ambulance service. This group also works at the IGHL Organic Farm as a paid work experience.
Flight 800/Renewal Thrift Day Habilitation is located on Montauk Highway in Mastic. Two staff provide supervision and support for seven individuals. The Thrift shop provides real life experiences for those who participate in this program. This store is designed to give each person exposure and opportunities to interact with the public and receive valuable training. The person receives training in laundering, crafting, money comprehension, marketing, pricing, stocking of shelves and general store maintenance.
This day habilitation program also volunteers much of its time at the Flight 800 International Memorial Garden at Smith Point Beach County Park in Mastic. Under the supervision of our staff, individuals maintain the grounds year round. Tasks completed include weeding, pruning, watering, planting, litter control, raking, etc.
In August 2004, IGHL established the Cornell Cooperative Day Habilitation located on the grounds of the Cornell Cooperative Extension at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank. This unique program provides day services to 12 developmentally disabled adults who have aged-out of their educational programs. The program satisfies the requests of parents and consumers to establish a small program environment within the community as an option to the traditional day treatment setting.
At the Cornell Day Habilitation program, participants volunteer their time to perform community services such as: raking; painting signs, park benches and picnic tables; general grounds clean-up; planting and beautifying the grounds; planting in the fields; and cultivating vegetables. Throughout the year, educational and training opportunities are provided in a variety of areas pertaining to the farm.
Cornell Cooperative provides IGHL a Hub space, which is heated, has adequate bathroom facilities and sufficient space for a meeting place to plan daily activities. In addition, Cornell provides a fully functioning greenhouse during the year that the group is paid for their efforts.
The East Moriches Day Habilitation Program is located on Montauk Highway in East Moriches, New York. This program provides unique community-based opportunities for 11 people who are Intellectually Disabled. Participants perform a variety of volunteer tasks including workings at food pantries, volunteering at animal shelters and adopt a road, etc.
Consumers also select to participate in a variety of social events, including movies, dances, sports and cultural activities.
The Southampton Youth Day Habilitation program is located in Southampton on the ground of the Southampton Youth Center, a town recreational and athletic center. This program has 15 individuals and is supervised by five staff members. Individuals utilize many of the centers amenities including: athletic fields, tennis courts, indoor basketball courts, and a walking track.
The Hampton Bays Habilitation program is located on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays. This program provides services to 21 individuals and is supervised by five staff members. The Hampton Bays Day Habilitation program is home to the IGHL Art Exhibition Center designed to allow Intellectually Disabled artists the opportunity to work on their creative and expressive skills in a structure and supportive atmosphere.
The Quogue Day Habilitation Center is located on Old Country Road in Quogue. This program services 28 individuals and is supervised by five staff members. Participants in the Quogue program are actively involved in a variety of community based activities including: meals on wheels, volunteering at the local fire department and food pantries, enjoying local parks and beaches.
The Roanoke Day Habilitation program is located on Roanoke Ave. in Riverhead and provides services to 22 senior individuals who are developmentally disabled and is supervised by five staff members. Program participants have access to a wide variety of recreational, social and cultural activities located in the Riverhead area. Of particular interest are the Riverhead Aquarium, Parks, and the Tangier Shopping Center.
The Pine Street Day Habilitation Program is located on Pine Street in East Moriches. This program provides services to 29 individuals who are medically frail and require specialized medical and clinical support services. Services include: Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychology and Nursing. The Pine Street program has met a regional need to provide day programs opportunities to individuals challenged with severe medical needs.
The Shade Tree Day Habilitation is located on Main Street in Riverhead. The program serves 30 consumers and is supervised by seven staff members. Participants in this program are actively involved in the Riverhead Community enjoying the various parks, civic centers, historical sites, and bowling.
In 2006 IGHL experienced a major change as it relocated its main administration building and largest Day Habilitation program from its home of over 25 years in East Moriches to a brand-new, specialty facility in Manorville, New York.
The Smile Farms Group Day Habilitation program is located on the grounds of Smile Farms. This group services 16 Intellectually Disabled people and is supervised by five staff members. Participants are actively involved with meals on wheels deliveries to home bound seniors, arts and craft projects, enjoying local shopping excursions, movies and fund raising ventures.
In 2015, IGHL opened its first Program without Walls. This group has 20 participants supervised by 6 staff members. This group starts its day at the Manorville Opportunity Center and once everyone arrives, the group departs to enjoy learning experiences within the community. They are actively involved with volunteer ventures within the community. Some of the participants work for minimum wage in the greenhouse and on the grounds of the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank.
The Smile Farms Program without Walls services 29 participants. This program provides a unique opportunity to incorporate a paid work experience for the group. Each day the program participants work in the Smile Farms greenhouse facilities for 1½ hours. Each consumer is paid minimum wage for their efforts. The Program without Walls is supervised by five staff members who have extensive experience working with people who are Intellectually Disabled. Staff is required to have horticulture knowledge or experience. As an individual becomes a more independent worker, other options relative to his/her vocational life goals are explored. Meetings with the individual, his/her advocate, job coach and day habilitation staff is held to discuss other job placement.