Our Services
Information and Referral
Parents and individuals with disabilities are often unsure of where to turn for help to acquire services for themselves or their child or family member. Our information and referral service helps connect them to potential resources to meet their unique needs. We provide information and referral services by telephone, email, text message and through our website and social media. Our electronic newsletter is distributed at no cost via email, our website and linked to our social media. We also utilize social media to send out brief informational updates to subscribers. This service is ongoing.
Monthly Education and Training
Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month in Hancock County and the third week is virtual (usually a lunch and learn setting). Meetings include a variety of education and training topics as well as provide the emotional and social supports and resources needed to bring new solutions to families struggling for answers. FUSE serves a diverse group of families both in disability type and age range. Disabilities represented include ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, chromosome abnormalities, Down syndrome, mitochondrial disease, mental health disorders and developmental delays. Discussion and training topics offered at parent meetings is driven by the needs of parents who attend and cover discussions around issues like education, public and private insurance, accessibility, community inclusion, recreation, childcare, advocacy, sibling/family issues, financial planning, and transition between and among service systems. This is an ongoing program.
Family Fun Meet Ups
Family Fun Meet Ups are casual gatherings designed to give families more frequent opportunities to connect informally with one another. Meet ups offer families a chance to meet new families, build a support network, and create friendships, for both the parents and the children! We offer a mix of activities through the year, so different age groups or interests are highlighted from month to month. We plan a variety of free and low-cost activities, tapping into existing community activities. Families pay their own admission fees when there is a cost unless special arrangements are otherwise announced. Events are hosted by a FUSE family who volunteers to coordinate the gathering. This program is ongoing.
Adaptive Swim
Our adaptive swim program is a unique exercise opportunity for children with special needs. Participants receive one-on one support to learn water safety and/or swimming skills based on their individual abilities. Program volunteers work with swimmers to encourage skills ranging from just getting in the water to actually learning swim strokes, and everything in between. Appropriate social behavior is also encouraged during the program for those children who need help with social skills. Volunteers are supported by a physical or occupational therapist in adapting skills or encouraging swimmer participation. This program is offered for 7-8 weeks each fall.
Club CIC
CIC (Connection-Independence-Community) is a structured social group for teens and young adults, that encourages friendships and opportunities to grow social skills in a supportive environment. This group meets at least twice a month with planned activities within the community. We strive to set up opportunities to try new things, focus on personal health and independence with everyone in mind. They are making connections while building their independence in their community.
Inspiring Abilities Expo
Every year FUSE hosts two information and resource fairs addressing disability issues for children, adults and their families. The Inspiring Abilities Expo offers a large exhibit area where attendees can interact with a wide variety of service providers, nonprofit organizations and government agencies that are represented. Professional speakers present mini training sessions throughout the day, offering attendees another opportunity to access training on disability issues that may affect their family members in the areas of child development, education, health care, recreation, financial planning, public benefits, transition to adulthood, community living and employment. The Inspiring Abilities Expo is held every March in Hancock County and in November in Marion County.
BOSS
In 2018 we began our BOSS (Building Our Social Skills) after-school social skills program in six schools in Hancock County funded by the Big Impact Grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation. Sites vary from year to year depending on student enrollment. Goals and objectives of the social skills groups include improving the quality and quantity of social interactions, development of key conversation skills, improved behavior that encourages positive social interactions, and increased self-confidence. In the summer we offer a similar group for middle and high school students. Social skills development is a critical area of need for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This program is ongoing.
Destiny Color Guard
Destiny is a performance group for boys and girls with disabilities from ages 13 to young adulthood. Destiny offers students a chance to learn new skills and make new friends while experiencing the comradery of an after-school activity and the excitement of performing at community events. Destiny does exhibition performances at basketball games and color guard contests. Each student is supported by a volunteer to learn a basic routine using typical color guard equipment like flags, ribbons, etc. This group runs from November through March.