By Ron Leir
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
For the past 37 years, the Kearny nonprofit Pathways to Independence Inc. has helped those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live independently in their communities.
Currently, from its 3-level, 18,000 square foot headquarters at Kingsland and Bergen Aves., it offers on-site adult training skills for 78 clients, along with job skills, extended employment and paid sub-contract work for 66 individuals, said Pathways Executive Director Alvin Cox.
It also arranged for the placement of 12 clients at “supportive employment” opportunities at job sites in the community, he added.
And, “within the next year,” Cox said that Pathways hopes to be expanding to afford more on-site day training “for those not ready to get a job in the community.”
The organization’s client population – ranging from age 21 to 65 – includes individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impaired, adults with physical disabilities who utilize wheelchairs, adults who have been diagnosed with mental illness and adults with behavioral challenges.
Pathways, with more than 60 part- and full-time staff, runs on an annual budget of $2.5 million, which is funded primarily by the state Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. It also relies on private donations and fundraising events like its annual Walkathon (the 2014 event netted $25,000) to meet expenses. Cox would like to thank all community members and the business community for their continued support.
Depending on their needs, Pathways’ clients are exposed to a variety of life skills, job training opportunities and actual work assignments. Many develop computer
skills; others perform sub-contracting work.
Our funding remains stable through June 30,” Cox said. But, that could change with the new fiscal year, starting July 1, when the Division of Developmental Disabilities transitions to a Medicaidbased fee for service system for optimal reimbursement from the federal government. All individuals who are eligible for DDD services must first be found to be eligible for Medicaid to continue to receive support.
But, as Autism New Jersey notes in its website, “Just because you are Medicaid eligible does not mean you will be eligible for DDD services” because “DDD may maintain wait lists for services [and] any loss of eligibility for Medicaid services can result in the interruption of DDD services.”
As of now, Cox said, DDD provides Pathways $23,000 for each client enrolled in its adult training program, “but we’re uncertain about our future funding rate. In addition, Medicaid funding is based on clients’ daily attendance, so that’s another variable to be considered.”
Cox said he expects to learn soon what the new funding formula will be. Since there are only a handful of similar day programs for developmentally disabled adults in Hudson County, the change could have a big impact on area clients.
No funding changes are anticipated with Pathways’ other two programs – the extended employment – workshop/ sub-contract program and Supportive Employment – paid for through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, he said.
In the meantime, he said, Pathways remains committed to its mission at its facility which was purchased in 2009 and renovated with the help of a Hudson County CDBG grant which financed an elevator, new windows, upgraded the electricity and a paved parking lot; and is currently providing funding for a new HVAC system. At the time, there were 25 clients in adult training and 30 in the extended employment program.
When the program was founded 37 years ago, it was run from 450 Schuyler Ave. off Freeman Ave., and among the original office staff was Marie Yakabofski. Today, Yakabofski – the longest consecutive serving employee – is still with Pathways, now as its finance officer.
Pathways administrators (from l.) Alvin Cox, Tessa Farrell-McPhoy and Marie Yakabofksi strive to enhance independent living opportunities for its clients, some of whom — aided by staff — proudly display some of the aquarium plants they’ve prepared for shipment.
During a recent tour of its operation, The Observer got to see the organization’s two on-site programs in action. Clients attend Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and they are transported from their residences and back aboard 15 vans driven by Pathways staff.
As part of the adult training program, based on the clients’ abilities there would be a 6-to-1, 3-to-1 or 2-to-1 ratio of clients to staff. Clients are exposed to a variety of activities keyed to their personal needs and abilities. Staff members assist clients to focus on personal care, socialization and communication, computer skills, recreation, meal planning, shopping horticulture and meal preparation in an on-site kitchen. Dental services are available on site for all clients who have Medicaid or on a sliding scale fee.
Some clients also make arts and crafts and receive payments for items like holiday wreaths, wicker baskets and hand towels sold at Pathways monthly craft sales.
Other clients who take on maintenance chores, such as cleaning Pathways offices, bathrooms, program spaces and outdoors develop their daily living skills. They also receive pay for the work they complete.
Clients who are part of the extended employment program work on subcontract jobs which include building aquarium plants, packing animal bedding prepared for Keeper’s Choice in Teaneck and repackaged paints for Rich Art Paints in Northvale. Clients also worked on shredding jobs for the Kearny Board of Education and a North Arlington resident. The focus of this program is to enhance their vocational skills to prepare them for competitive employment.
Then there is the ultimate success story – clients who’ve made the transition of working at actual job sites. One young man who was referred to Pathways as a client from Newark three years ago is now working as a part-time staffer at Pathways, said Tessa Farrell-McPhoy, director of programs.
“Some work in maintenance jobs and a lot are in retail handling stock, working as a cashier at a department store,” she said. “We have one man doing security for an auto dealership and one woman working as a clerk in the East Orange Welfare Department. Ideally, we try to place them in positions where their interests lie. In all our programs, the goal is to work individually with all our clients and assist them to become more independent.”
