FAQs

AEC is designed for adults (typically 18+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD/DD), including those who are medically complex, use mobility equipment, or need help with personal care during the day. We are especially appropriate for individuals who would benefit from more than TV, crafts, and lunch — people who actually want to choose from a variety of activities and get into the community.

Very often, yes. Because AEC is backed by Blossom Hill’s nursing leadership, we are comfortable supporting individuals with higher medical needs than many day programs. We have accessible restrooms with lift systems, staff trained in personal care, and access to nursing across Blossom Hill properties. We will always review current physician’s orders, medications, tube feeding, seizure plans, mobility needs, and behavior supports before admission to make sure we can serve safely.

In practical terms, we need:

• An Individual Service Plan (ISP) that authorizes Adult Day/Community Services (or an SSA prepared to add that service),
• Current physician’s orders/med list (for anyone with medical needs),
• A completed AEC Admission Referral Form (from SSA, guardian, or provider),
• Confirmation that we can transport or the family can,
• And that the person’s behavioral or medical profile can be safely supported in a group/community setting.
  If something is missing, we will work with the SSA/family to get it in place.

Yes. The building was chosen and renovated with accessibility in mind. Restrooms are equipped with overhead/lift assist systems (Hoyer-style), doors are wide, floors are non-slip, and transportation routes are being expanded to accommodate mobility devices.

Yes. Choice does not disappear just because speech is limited. Our staff are trained to learn preferences through the ISP, through guardians, and through observed enjoyment/behavior over time. If someone hates the van ride, we don’t force van rides. If someone lights up during music, we make music an option.

It depends on the individual and the plan. We routinely serve people who need structure, sensory regulation, and calm spaces. We are happy to review behavior plans and collaborate with the SSA. What we don’t do is place people in situations we cannot keep safe. That’s why the referral and tour step is important.

1. Submit the AEC Admission Referral Form (online or printed).
2. Attach/indicate current ISP and contact info.
3. AEC reviews for service authorization, medical/behavioral needs, and transportation feasibility.
4. We contact you (and family/guardian) to schedule a tour — virtual or in-person.
5. We confirm funding/waiver (Level One, IO, SELF, county funding, private pay) and any nursing/personal care needs.
6. We set a start date and transportation schedule.
7. Individual begins with choice-based daily participation.

Give us: current ISP, county of residence, primary contact, behavior/medical/dietary notes, transportation situation, and what the individual actually likes to do. The more real-world detail you give (“hates loud buses,” “loves gardening,” “needs tube feeding at noon”), the better we can build day-one success.

Yes. Cuyahoga is our home base and we communicate easily with CCBDD SSAs. We also routinely work with adjacent counties because families cross county lines for higher-quality day programs.

We need early, complete, and realistic information. That includes: expected graduation date, current ISP or school transition plan, medical needs, behavior supports, transportation status, guardian contact, and — critically — what the student actually enjoys. We also love to host transition visits or small group tours so families can see what adult day actually looks like.

Most individuals attend through Medicaid waiver funding (Level One, IO, SELF) or county-funded services that already authorize adult day/community integration. We can also discuss private pay options.

Sometimes. We can start with a tour and help the family talk with their SSA or county board about adding the service. We can’t promise immediate enrollment without funding, but we can start the process.

Often, no, if waiver or county funding is in place. Some things — like special community events, tickets, or extra transportation — may incur a small fee, but we keep that transparent.

Because we plan more than one thing at a time. Each day includes: on-site activities and an off-site/community option. Individuals (or staff on their behalf) pick what best matches their abilities, energy, sensory needs, and interests. Over time, staff learn patterns — who loves outings, who prefers staying in the sensory room, who thrives in small groups — and we honor that. That’s what we mean by Voice = Choice.

It looks like arriving, being greeted by name, being reminded what’s on the calendar, and then choosing. Some people head straight to the art room or music. Some go on the day’s community trip. Some need a slower start in the sensory room. Later there’s social time, adaptive movement, maybe pet therapy, maybe a birthday party. It’s structured — but not rigid.

We schedule a community outing every day so that it is always available — parks, Metroparks, museum visits, ball games, bowling, zoo, Blossom Hill’s own greenhouse and walking trail. Participation is always optional. The center is the home base.

Then we don’t make them do it. We offer in-center options that day. Choice is real, not theoretical.

Yes. AEC is large enough to bring partner programming in — adaptive fitness, movement, social-emotional work, recreation specialists — so individuals who can’t always travel can still benefit from professional, disability-centered programming.

Yes. Our sensory space is a $30,000+ multi-sensory environment designed to both stimulate and calm. It includes visual elements (light, color, bubbles), tactile options (gel mats, textured boards), sound and music, and low-light calming areas. It is one of the most fully built-out, day-program–based sensory rooms in the area — and it was funded by generous grantors who believed in what we are doing.

In many cases, yes — but it depends on route and capacity. Our transportation coverage area is expanding, so if we can’t serve an address today, we may be able to very soon. Families can also self-transport, and SSAs can help explore paratransit or waiver-funded transportation.

That routes change, capacity is not unlimited, and we will work hard to make it possible. If you are close to Middleburg Heights (Berea, Brook Park, Parma, Strongsville, North Royalton, Olmsted area), tell us — proximity helps.

No. Individuals bring their own meals. We provide a comfortable, supported space for eating, refrigeration, a microwave, staff trained to assist, and — because we like to celebrate — frequent parties and special food days.

Yes. We routinely support people with texture, timing, or positioning needs. We will ask for physician orders and instructions. Staff are trained in safe meal assistance.

Yes. We invested in fully accessible restrooms with lift-assist systems (Hoyer-style), non-slip floors, wide doors, and enough space for staff to assist with dignity. Families and SSAs who know this population will recognize this as a major differentiator from basic rec programs.

Yes. We have a private, equipped shower room for individuals who may need hygiene support during the day and on-site laundry to manage personal care needs discreetly and hygienically.

AEC is supported by Blossom Hill’s Director of Nursing and nursing team. Because Blossom Hill operates multiple programs and homes, nursing floats among properties and is available for consultation, training, and care coordination. This is more nursing access than most day programs provide. We do not claim 1:1, on-site, all-day nursing for every participant — but we do claim real, organizational nursing oversight.

We need current physician orders, medication lists, feeding/tube instructions, seizure action plans, allergy information, and any therapy/positioning instructions — before the first day. That’s how we keep everyone safe.

Secure entries and exits, staff trained in CPR/First Aid/crisis prevention, individualized care planning, infection-control protocols, and a building that was chosen for access, visibility, and safety.

Before the last school year begins. Good day programs fill up fast, and transportation routes are planned in advance. If you call us in spring for a June transition, we can usually make it work. If you call two weeks before graduation, we will do our best — but start early.

Yes. We welcome group transition visits. We can show the activity rooms, sensory space, restrooms, and — importantly — demonstrate how we do choice for people with high needs.

Some of what we’re most proud of are AEC’s core differentiators. For example, we’re backed by Blossom Hill’s 50+ years of experience supporting people with profound developmental disabilities, and the activities we offer are participant-led, not program-led. Plus, our brand-new, 25,000-square-foot center reflects a major investment in accessibility and support (lifts, hygiene, and nursing), giving people room to navigate and plenty of unique classrooms for concurrent activities. Finally—location, location, location. AEC is headquartered in Middleburg Heights, an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland that’s central to many west/southwest suburbs. Families, guardians, and Support Administrators comparing adult day programs in Northeast Ohio often ask, “Where will my loved one feel safe, supported, and engaged?” We like to think we built the Abilities Enrichment Center around that question—and we continue to return to it as we shape new programming, add staff, and plan for the future.

Often, yes. That is exactly why AEC was created. We will always be honest — if someone’s needs exceed what we can safely provide, we will say so, but our starting point is: let’s see if we can make this work.

Yes. We encourage two-way communication. If there are major changes, incidents, or new successes, we share them. We also welcome guardian input on what’s working and what isn’t.

Yes. In fact, please do. AEC has to be seen to be believed. Photos and virtual tours help, but walking through the building and seeing how individuals are treated sells itself.

Then we adjust. Sometimes it takes a few visits to find the right rhythm — inside vs. community days, quieter vs. more social programming. Choice lets us do that.

Standard weekday, daytime hours (to align with transportation and family schedules). Specific holiday/closure calendars can be provided on request.

No. We are located in Cuyahoga, but we regularly talk to SSAs and families from surrounding counties when the local day-program options aren’t a good fit — especially for medically fragile adults.

Yes. Call us. We can send the form, or your SSA can, or you can download it. We don’t make paperwork the barrier.

Yes. That is exactly what AEC was designed to be.

Yes. AEC’s programming is participant-driven. We call it Voice = Choice.

Blossom Hill has both. We continue to operate residential/group living and we now operate the Abilities Enrichment Center day program.

Yes. SSAs, guardians, providers, and even families can initiate the referral using our Admission Referral Form.

Most will require what we require: completed referral, current ISP, medical/behavioral info, and confirmation of funding/transportation. We will help you get it organized.

Yes — and we recommend it. We do have a virtual tour, but in person touring helps the SSA write a realistic plan.