A partner of Citizen Advocates, Joshua House was founded on the belief that all individuals should have access to programs and housing that offer the warmth of a family setting. More so, that those settings provide the person-centered supports needed to live a meaningful life.

Established in 1992, Joshua House was formed when the founder’s son, Joshua, suffered a tremendous loss. As a result of this tragedy, community homes were developed in and around Sidney, NY and Delaware County for individuals with a variety of disabilities. The community homes were established as a compassionate and more person-centered approach to services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Individualized Residential Alternatives

Joshua House currently operates four homes, commonly referred to by state agencies as Individualized Residential Alternatives. Each offers an environment true to the agency’s founding.

Group day habilitation

Habilitation services regularly take place in a non-residential setting, separate from the individual’s private residence or other home. The care team at Joshua House helps individuals learn, retain and improve their self-help, social and adaptive skills. This includes communication, travel and other adult education. 

Activities and environments are designed to nurture the following:

• Development of skills
• Greater independence
• Community inclusion
• Relationship building
• Self-advocacy (speaking up for your needs)
• Informed choice

Additionally, individuals participating in day habilitation often contribute to their communities through volunteer work.

Community habilitation

As the name suggests, this service takes place in a variety of local settings in the community, like businesses or partner organizations.  A skilled and specially trained care team provides support that includes:  

• Skill development
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Community inclusion
• Relationship building
• Training and support for independence in travel
• Transportation
• Adult educational supports
• Development of social skills
• Leisure skills
• Self-advocacy (speaking up for your needs)
• Informed choice skills
• Resources to help the individual access their community 

Related services

Affirmative businesses

Affirmative Businesses are the same as a commercial business but they also employ people of all abilities. As a result, they offer those we support more choice and opportunity of where they work, live and play.

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Employment supports

We provide employment and pre-employment services to people with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities. We assist people with obtaining and maintaining employment at a community based job, as well as teaching pre-employment skills.

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