I have great news to share! Effective mid July 2006, NW Works will be expanding our hours of operation for workers receiving Medicaid funding.

The purpose of this expansion is two fold; first, our goal is to provide quality, rehabilitative services to our Medicaid clients who currently arrive early and/or stay late. Currently we do not offer program services until 8:15 am and our program day ends at 3:15 pm. With this new proposal, our hours for providing direct service will be, Monday through Friday, 7:45 am to 3:30 pm.

Second, our goal is to provide the referenced services to other Medicaid recipients who have requested a longer day schedule, but as of now we have been unable to accommodate them due to staffing/ratio issues. Our extended hours plan is completely optional, and only those workers/providers/parents that choose to alter their schedules will be affected.

We are truly excited about this change as it will allow us to hire additional staff who will be dedicated to serving our most severely disabled partners in a more focused, individualized manner. Our new services options, delivered via group and individual settings, are designed to increase independence, enhance functional skills, provide hands-on training in various departments within NW Works, increase positive social interactions, and will provide additional physical activity- both inside and outside of the WorkCenter- to promote wellness of body and soul.