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Department Profile: Developmental Disabilities

Under the leadership of Director Judy Sabater-James, LMSW, Saint Dominic’s Home Developmental Disabilities Department provides caring, respectfully delivered services to 145 individuals, 39 of them children, with developmental disabilities and their families in a personalized and professional manner.

Children and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities are served by 343 professional trained staff through Saint Dominic’s Home Intermediate Care Facilities, Individualized Residential Alternatives, Day Habilitation Program, Service Coordination and Community In-Home Services located in the Bronx and in Rockland and Orange Counties.

Ms. Sabater-James, who has been with Saint Dominic’s Home for 30 years, said the Department’s number one priority is to provide person-centered compassionate care for individuals with developmental disabilities so they can live their lives with hope and dignity in a family-like setting.

“Everyone in our care is treated like family,” said Ms. Sabater-James. “We base our services around the individual to ensure their needs are met and reach their potential.”

Gurran Kane, whose 71-year-old brother Lesmond “Sonny” Kane resides in the John Murphy Residence in Rockland County, said it is the high level of care and loving kindness shown to Sonny by Saint Dominic’s Home caregivers that makes him feel fortunate about his brother being in our care.

“Sonny’s smiles and chuckles can warm the hearts of all around him,” said Gurran. “I credit Saint Dominic’s for providing a home and the kind of care that brings out the best in my brother and for that I am eternally grateful.”

For Adrienne Lucas she knows how difficult it would be to care for her brother Charlie Lucas on her own, and she appreciates the program that Saint Dominic’s Home has in place that tailors services to his needs. Charlie lives in the Hector May Residence in Rockland County.

“The program and services clearly help Charles to learn and progress to the best of his potential,” said Adrienne. “When I visit I see him interacting with the staff and the other consumers.  The staff has always treats him kindly, patiently and respectfully.  They have learned his likes and dislikes and tailor a program that meets his needs.”

Knowing her son John is well taken care of by Saint Dominic’s Home staff is what gives Janet Aceto peace of mind and comfort now and in the future.  Her son John has been in the care of Saint Dominic’s Home for 14 years and he lives in Harold Warren Residence in the Bronx.

“The staff is very courteous and respectful of John's special needs.  I know all his medical appointments are made and kept. If I call to request any information or need to speak to someone, my calls are always returned,” said Mrs. Aceto. “John and I look forward to many more good years at Saint Dominic’s Home.”

The three primary programs that Saint Dominic’s Home provides are:

Intermediate Care Facilities
Campus-based therapeutic residential programs provide medical, clinical and community inclusion services for children and adults with moderate to profound developmental disabilities. Four homes are located in Rockland County and four are located in Orange County.

Individualized Residential Alternatives.
These are community based residential homes for mild to profound developmentally disabled individuals ranging from 18 years + designed to enable them to become more independent, productive, and integrated into their community.  There are a total of 13 of these homes, eight located in the Bronx and five located in Rockland County.

Day Habilitation Program.
This program offered in Rockland County provides a caring and compassionate learning environment for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities. Activities are held both on campus and in the community, allowing individuals to attain new heights and further their capabilities at their own pace. Activities focus on personalized and small group learning and include leisure arts, job skills, exercise, community volunteering and independent living skills.

The Developmental Disabilities Department also provides Service Coordination. This includes helping families manage medical, day program, clinical, habilitation, respite services, and offers assistance in home modifications necessary to keep a loved one with a developmental disability at home. This service is offered in the Bronx and Rockland County. Also in Rockland County Saint Dominic’s Home provides Community In-Home Services, Respite, Residential Habilitation and Service Coordination to individuals living at home. This service provides training and assistance in skill building, recreation, socialization and fitness taught in a home setting by Saint Dominic’s Home trained staff, affording care-givers time to themselves.

Saint Dominic’s Home Executive Director Judy Kydon, a former special education teacher, was instrumental in creating the Developmental Disabilities over 25 years ago. Ms. Kydon saw an immediate need to provide residential services for persons with developmental disabilities department as the Willowbrook Decree saw the closing of New York State-run institutions such as Letchworth Village in Rockland County in the mid-1980s.