Created in 2012, Carousel Connections continues to grow into a community of support that walks alongside families as they journey across stages of development. Innovative programming to build community capacity is always in the works!
Our Vision
Carousel Connections continues to evolve to support individuals with disabilities as valued and contributing friends, colleagues, and neighbors. We use a skill building model to increase independence through choices in housing, volunteer and employment opportunities, and social and recreational experiences.
- We build interdependent relationships among participants, families, and community partners focusing on reciprocity.
- We create tools and strategies for “next step” transitions and support the Readiness process across systems (ODP, family, relationships, community).
- We develop overall Wellness focusing on physical health and emotional regulation plans and support the individual as a “whole.”
- We engage participants, families, and mentors using a person and family-centered approach and value their changing roles.
- We believe in choice and the dignity of opportunities.
- We appreciate the strengths, perspectives, and challenges that we all experience.
- Together, we create a model of inclusion and belonging in our neighborhoods and larger community.
Our Participants
At Carousel Connections, individuals are supported in developing the social roles of a community. These roles shape an individual who is:
- Able to live in a collaborative setting such as in a family house or an apartment with roommates and contribute to household tasks
- A job seeker who is able to follow through on tasks and directions from others
- A community member who is able to engage in cultural and daily living activities (such as buying food at the grocery store, attending local events, eating in restaurants, etc.)
- A friend who can share with peers while engaging in conversation and interactions with reciprocity
- An advocate who is an agent of change in their community.
Individuals who attend Carousel Connections include those with intellectual disabilities, Autism, social oriented needs, or those without a formal diagnosis who are seeking training to be able to live, work, and participate in the community with greater independence. Participants are in a readiness stage of planning for “what’s next” in their adult lives. Please inquire to find out if we are a “good match.”
Program Directors
As the children of educators, Amy and Chris McCann have always been thinking about how people best learn, share their contributions, and grow through each developmental stage. Most importantly, they believe that this growth is a lifelong journey for all of us. Their experiences, from Early Childhood education to Independent Living Training for young adults, have taught them that every individual brings unique strengths, and that those strengths can benefit of our diverse community.
*Photo by Brad Larisson
Carousel Mentors
Staff at Carousel Connections work as partners, coaches, and mentors. Our staff includes occupational therapists, employment specialists, behavior consultants, clinical therapist, educators and more. All mentors undergo training with regard to sensory integration, support and accommodation for unique needs, and positive behavior management. Our staff is quite wonderful!