Press Kit
Fact Sheet
About CI:
Community Interactions, Inc. (CI) is an organization that provides person-centered services to individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. Founded in 1971, the organizational vision was inspired by our founder’s brother who lived in an institutional setting for people with developmental disabilities. The focus was on providing programs, services, and supports that facilitated community integration and self-determination for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. The vision was to create a private, non-profit, community organization in less restrictive settings. The reality of that dream was realized in 1973 when CI opened its first home for children with intellectual disabilities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Today, Community Interactions serves over 200 people in community living settings in the States of Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Mission:
To provide quality services for people with intellectual, physical and behavioral health challenges to create lifestyles consistent with their communities respecting individual choice, self determination and culture.
Website:
www.communityinteractions.org
Founded:
1971
Client Reach:
Serves over 250 people in 60 community living and day service settings
Pres./CEO
Donald T. Szegda
610-328-9008 Ext: 118
dszegda@ciinc.org
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| Business Office | Resource Center | Delaware Office |
| Community Interactions, Inc. 740 South Chester Road Swarthmore, PA 19081 Phone: 610-328-9008 Fax: 610-328-4597 Toll Free: 1-877-328-4799 |
388 Reed Road
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Graystone Plaza 625 W. Newport Pike Wilmington, DE 19804-3259 Phone: 302-993-7846 Fax: 302-993-7849 |
Programs & Services
Programs, services and supports offered by CI are determined by the needs of each individual. The caring CI staff offers distinct assistance to improve the personal well-being of each person. Individuals, family members and CI’s planning staff determine housing and staff support needs. Additionally, supports, where appropriate, are provided for medical, dental, behavioral, psychological, dietary, day and employment needs. CI serves over 200 people in 60 Community Living and Day Services Settings:
Homes & Apartments:
People live together with 24-hour supervision or less if appropriate, based upon individual needs.
Person-Driven Supports:
People living in apartments independently and may be employed. They need minimal staff support.
Life Sharing:
Individuals from one family live in the private home of another supportive family that is not their birth family.
In-Home Support:
Supports are offered to people with challenges, whether they live with family, or independently. A Team Leader will match appropriate staff with each person – working closely with them and their circle of support – to develop and monitor delivered services.
Resource Centers:
Day supports for people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. These services include:
| Community Inclusion: People with a disability contribute to their community through supervised activities and volunteer work. |
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| Supported Employment: A Job Coach works with individuals to set career goals, assist with writing resumes and job search, practice completing a job application, and interview training. |
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| Friendly Visitors: This service offers companionship and recreational opportunities to people with disabilities who are confined to skilled nursing care. |
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| Self-Advocacy: Program heightens an individual’s involvement in the community and in their treatment by participating in CI Quality Enhancement Meetings. |
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| Quality Enhancement Meetings: Regular meetings with an average attendance of 35 persons. Consumers have the opportunity to participate in the policy and decision-making process, while offering training to direct support staff. |
Senior Management
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Over 35 years experience in the field of developmental and intellectual disabilities with both children and adults with Autism, Asperger Syndrome and Learning and Behavioral Challenges. Joined Community Interactions in 2004 as a consultant and served as Senior Director of Programs and VP of Clinical Services. Don was previously Director of Clinical Services at UCP of Delaware County, Executive Director for Mitchell Main Line Day School in Haverford and is currently the President of Voluntas Organization and the International Organization for Functional Neurological Development. A leader in Special Education and Behavior, Don has provided consultation services to schools, day centers and institutions. He developed the first intergenerational Child/Adult Care Center in Cooperation with Rouse and Associates in the Great Valley Corporate Center. A popular and inspiring lecturer in the field of developmental disabilities, Don has done clinical work in the areas of sensory-motor programs for families and training programs for parents and professionals in the US, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Finland and France. He is currently the President of the International Organization for Functional Neurological Development (IOFND.) He holds a Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education from Gettysburg College, a Masters of Education in Special Education from Temple University, a Masters of Education in School Administration from Villanova University as well as a Master’s Equivalent in School Administration from Lehigh University. |
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Mr. Boyle has over 35 years experience in group-level management positions, with emphasis in the last 10 years on advocacy to develop policy and transform systems. Mr. Boyle joined Community Interactions in 2008 as Executive Vice President/COO, with responsibility for the organization’s daily operations, including oversight of group homes, day programs, interface with funding sources, and staff supervision. As a consultant, Jack provided strategic planning, focus group facilitation, and organizational readiness services to the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania and the Disability Rights Network in Harrisburg, Pa. For 10 years he worked with the Mental Health Association of Southeastern, Pa., where he was Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer. He currently holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from LaSalle University. |
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Mr. Clift has over 30 years experience in the field of developmental and intellectual disabilities, with expertise in financial management and information technology. Gary joined Community Interactions in 2004 with responsibility for the organization’s accounting functions, information technology, compliance and pension issues, risk management, and development activities. He was previously controller for Developmental Enterprises Corporation, a provider of residential and day programs for adults with disabilities in Montgomery County, Pa. He has also served as fiscal director for PATH, Inc. in Philadelphia and as an accountant for Life Management in Westmoreland, Pa. He holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from LaSalle University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from East Stroudsburg University. |
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