Community Engagement
Community Engagement is a small-group, community-based day service that helps people build the skills, relationships, and confidence needed to take part in everyday community life—similar to how their non-disabled peers participate. It is available through the CL, FIS, and BI waivers and focuses on acquiring, retaining, and improving skills related to social behavior, independence, employability, and personal choice, using the community itself as the learning environment.
Community Engagement at VATN
Community Engagement at VATN supports people in spending their days out in the community—not in a center—practicing real skills in real places. In small groups of up to three individuals with at least one Direct Support Professional (DSP), participants explore local activities, classes, volunteer opportunities, and events chosen based on their interests, culture, and goals.
Our staff intentionally create opportunities to meet new people, build natural supports, and reduce reliance on paid staff over time. Each person’s journey looks different, but the aim is the same: more connection, more choice, and more genuine presence in the community.
What community engagement can support:
Participation in community activities & events
Attending local events, classes, recreation opportunities, and community education offerings, and learning how to navigate these spaces with increasing independence.
Building interests & leisure skills
Exploring hobbies and interests that support social, emotional, and physical well-being—for example, fitness, arts, games, clubs, or other meaningful ways to spend free time.
Volunteer & pre-employment experiences
Participating in volunteer roles and community projects that help clarify interests, build work-related behaviors, and support future career planning.
Maintaining & growing relationships
Practicing how to stay in contact with family and friends and how to develop new connections in the community, with a focus on healthy, reciprocal, and respectful interactions.
Daily living & independent living skills
Working on everyday tasks in community contexts, such as managing money, planning outings, shopping, following schedules, using public transportation, or completing non-private ADLs in appropriate settings.
Self-direction, advocacy, & civic engagement
Learning how to make choices, speak up for oneself, understand rights, participate in cultural or spiritual activities if desired, and take part in community life as an informed and valued citizen.
Throughout, our team provides routine and safety supports with transportation to and from community locations, within waiver guidelines.
Who community engagement is for:
Community Engagement may be a good fit if:
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You want to spend more of your day in the community rather than in a center-based program.
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You enjoy (or want to explore) being around other people and trying new activities with support.
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You are interested in building friendships, volunteer experience, or pre-employment skills in real-world settings.
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You can benefit from small-group support (up to three participants with one DSP) rather than needing 1:1 support for most community time.
Community Engagement is available only to people enrolled in the CL, FIS, or BI waivers and must be used in combination with other services within the 66-hours-per-week combined limit for day and employment services.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INTAKE PROCESS
Authorization
After submitting your intake forms, we’ll work alongside your Support Coordinator to gather all documentation needed for service authorization. Our team prepares a comprehensive support plan and submits the authorization request to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) for review. DBHDS carefully evaluates your submitted information to ensure all clinical qualifications, regulations, and documentation requirements are met before approving services; you and your coordinator will be promptly informed once authorization is granted so you can begin your customized treatment journey.
Assessment & Support Plan
Using information from your SIS® or other DBHDS-approved assessments, along with your goals and preferences, we develop a Plan for Supports. This plan names specific skills to work on, types of community activities to pursue, and how we will support you in building natural relationships.
Begin Services
You participate in community outings in a group of no more than three individuals per DSP. Activities are planned with you, occur mostly in the community (with minimal planning time in a central location), and are designed to give you repeated practice in the skills and settings that matter most to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is community engagement?
Community Engagement is a community-based day service that helps people build social, daily living, and independence skills in small groups while participating in typical community activities like classes, events, volunteering, and recreation.
Who is eligible for community engagement?
Individuals enrolled in the CL, FIS, or BI waivers who can benefit from community-based skill building and relationship development—and who do not require 1:1 support for all community participation—may be eligible, based on their ISP and service authorization.
How is community engagement different from community coaching?
Community Engagement is a small-group service (up to three people with one staff) focused on broader community participation and relationship-building, while Community Coaching is a 1:1 service that targets specific barriers or intensive support needs that prevent someone from engaging in the community.
What kinds of activities are included in community engagement?
Activities are based on each person’s interests and goals and may include attending community events, taking classes, visiting libraries or gyms, volunteering, exploring hobbies, practicing transportation skills, and participating in cultural or spiritual activities.
How big are the groups in community engagement?
Groups are intentionally kept small—no more than three individuals per Direct Support Professional—so each person has opportunities for meaningful participation, interaction, and coaching during outings.
Where does community engagement take place?
Services occur primarily in community settings such as parks, shops, restaurants, recreation centers, volunteer sites, and other public locations. Limited time (up to a small percentage of authorized hours) may be used for planning or hygiene in a central location when needed.
How many hours of community engagement can someone receive?
Community Engagement, alone or combined with Group Day, Community Coaching, Workplace Assistance, and Supported Employment, cannot exceed 66 hours per week. The specific number of hours is determined by assessed need, your ISP, and service authorization.
Does community engagement focus on employment?
Yes, in part. While it is not a job placement service, Community Engagement can support career exploration, pre-employment skills (like time management, social skills, and following routines), and volunteer experiences that help people discover interests and strengths related to work.
How do we start community engagement with VATN?
Talk with your Support Coordinator about your interest in Community Engagement and how it fits your ISP goals. If it’s a good match, your coordinator can submit a referral to VATN, and we will complete an intake and Plan for Supports to request service authorization.