Joshua House, a partner of Citizen Advocates, was founded on the belief that all individuals have access to programs and housing that offer the warmth of a family setting.  More so, that those settings provide the additional person-centered supports vital to sustaining a meaningful life of one’s choosing.

Established in 1992, Joshua House was formed following a tremendous loss suffered by Joshua at the age of eight years old, the son of the agency’s founder. As a result of this tragedy, community homes were developed in and around Sidney, N.Y. in Delaware County for individuals with a variety of abilities. The community homes were established as 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 acquire, retain or improve their self-help, socialization and adaptive skills. This includes communication, travel and other areas in adult education. Activities and environments are designed to foster the following:

• Development of skills
• Greater independence
• Community inclusion
• Relationship building
• Self-advocacy, and
• Informed choice.

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

Community habilitation

As the name suggests, this service takes place in settings such as local businesses or other partner organizations directly in the community.  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
• Informed choice skills, and
• 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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