| Nancy Bentley, executive director of Active Re-Entry in front of their new complex at 10 S. Fairgrounds Road just north of the entrance to the Carbon County Fairgrounds. |
After bouncing around in two locations the past two years Active Re-Entry has a new home on Fairgrounds Road. This business story is more than a new building in a new location, rather its a story with a big heart and an even bigger soul.
Active Re-Entry began 15 years ago when Nancy Bentley, an Association of Government (AOG) human serves coordinator wrote a grant and funded the new program. As executive director of Active Re-Entry over the past 15 years the program has grown and expanded into numerous areas.
Bentley explained that Active Re-Entry, a program that encompasses several independent living programs has a clear and simple goal, “committed to promoting the rights, dignity, and quality of life for all persons with disabilities.”
The new building is just under 5,000 square feet and was made possible through a number of funding sources, including Community Impact Funds and Carbon county. “This would not have happened without the Carbon county commissioner’s support,” says Bentley, adding, especially Mike Milovich. Two years ago Active Re-Entry moved from Carbon Avenue to AOG and now they are located in their new complex.
An open house is set for next Tuesday, April 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 10 South Fairgrounds Road.
Besides the numerous programs that are operated from the center the staff and board are active on over 50 boards, committees and councils in the area.
Bentley says that she had no idea the needs that were out there in the county when she began her work with Active Re-Entry.
Active Re-Entry is a community based program which assists individuals with disabilities to achieve or maintain self sufficient and productive lives in their own communities. Our program is committed to promoting the rights, dignity, and quality of life for all persons with disabilities.
Through a wide range of diverse programs, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to make their own decisions about how they will live their lives, and are assisted in exploring options.
Intake and Independent Living Planning: Staff or peer counselors can meet and visit with individuals or family members to inform them of available programs, services, opportunities and resources.
Peer Counseling: A service which matches the consumer to another person who has a similar disability for purposes of sharing experiences, knowledge or skills.
Independent Living Skills Training and Classes: Brings together individuals seeking to increase their knowledge, skills, or abilities in order to live more independently.
Older Blind Program: Education in adaptive techniques and devices, peer support groups, peer counseling, orientation and mobility training, information on resources and benefits available to the blind, and social/recreation activities.
Self Advocacy: A service which supports and enhances the consumer’s ability to be assertive when faced with obstacles in pursuit of independent living goals.
Information and Referral: Information and referrals concerning services and resources available on a local, state and federal level.
Service Coordination: Helps support, integrate and coordinate the services a consumer is receiving from a variety of agencies
Interpreter Referral: Service matches consumer with qualified interpreter to facilitate effective communication.
Assistive Technology and Equipment Loan Bank: A program designed to facilitate consumers in obtaining necessary assistive technology. Services include; evaluations by professionals specializing in assistive technology, funding information, research and problem solving and equipment loans.
Caregiver and Other Support Groups: Brings together persons with disabilities to collectively share experiences, knowledge and skills.
| Active Re-Entry board of directors include Bea Raby, Delena Fish, Co-chair; Sherril Burge, Co-chair; Carol Rogers, Kathryn Howa. Staff members include Richard Jewkes, Nancy Bentley, Merrilyn Farish, Louie Santillanes, and Lisa Martinez. Board members not pictured include Jim Sanchez, Barbara Kontgas, Kathy Murray. |
PERKIE Travels: Daily transportation from Carbon and Emery Counties for cancer patients in need of radiation treatments in Provo.
Recreation and Social Activities: Consumers participate in numerous social and recreation activities within the community such as exercise classes, arts and crafts, plays, concerts, cooking classes and river trips.
AgrAbility Program: Part of a national program focused on promoting independence for members of the agricultural community who have disabilities resulting from injury, illness, aging, or other causes.
Outreach: Activities generated to make contact with potential consumers of Active Re-Entry and the general community.
Disability Awareness: Programs initiated to promote sensitivity, open mindedness, and positive attitudes about persons with disabilities.
Systems Advocacy: Activities intended to influence community decisions by including persons with disabilities and supporters in the decision making process. Methods may range from being elected to boards, to being high profile in community activities.
Public Information Dissemination: Designed to generate public information regarding independent living services and related events.
Senior Advocate/Long Term Care Ombudsman: Protects residents rights in nursing homes, residential care facilities and adult foster care by voicing and resolving the concerns which many elderly encounter.
Newsletter: Articles concerning current disability issues and center activities. Published bimonthly.
ADA Technical Assistance, Facility Evaluations and Equipment Loan Bank: Advice and consultation to individuals, businesses, and the community on the Americans With Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines. A specialized computer program is utilized to provide a printout of accessibility obstacles and solutions.
P.A.W.S. Program: PAWS volunteer handler/animal teams are trained to work in a wide range of care-giving facilities including hospitals.grams initiated to promote sensitivity, open mindedness, and positive attitudes about persons with disabilities.
Systems Advocacy: Activities intended to influence community decisions by including persons with disabilities and supporters in the decision making process. Methods may range from being elected to boards, to being high profile in community activities.
Public Information Dissemination: Designed to generate public information regarding independent living services and related events.
Senior Advocate/Long Term Care Ombudsman: Protects residents rights in nursing homes, residential care facilities and adult foster care by voicing and resolving the concerns which many elderly encounter.
Newsletter: Articles concerning current disability issues and center activities. Published bimonthly.
ADA Technical Assistance, Facility Evaluations and Equipment Loan Bank: Advice and consultation to individuals, businesses, and the community on the Americans With Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines. A specialized computer program is utilized to provide a printout of accessibility obstacles and solutions.
P.A.W.S. Program: PAWS volunteer handler/animal teams are trained to work in a wide range of care-giving facilities including hospitals.