Day Work Services
Flathead Industries Day Services
As part of our day program, the Production Center and Rag Barn offers a unique combination of options for the more medically, behaviorally, and chronologically challenged adults with developmental disabilities.
Both offer a combination of life skill building, exercise opportunities, community integration possibilities, pre-vocational skills training, along with daily work options. The pre-vocational training may be teaching quality and on-task expectations of work jobs such as rag cutting, and janitorial work. This leads to a greater ability to work independently on real work jobs.
Life skill building offers a variety of learning opportunities, some that can be compared with school-type tasks of reading, counting change or discussing current events. Social skills training is done in a classroom setting, watching videos about friendship building and learning how to interact positively with others in community settings.
Of course, going out into the community helps individuals practice these skills, become comfortable in various social situations and helps individuals become more fully integrated into our community. Trips are made to stores to buy supplies. Lunches out are a payday favorite activity. Another favorite activity in the summer is participating in the Music in the Park concerts.
The Rag Barn offers a wonderful option for individuals who may be ultra-sensitive to noise or confusion. Here the same opportunities are offered as at the Production Center, with the added benefit of seclusion, space, and a quieter environment. Sensory activities offer a way to bring individuals into a fuller social activity, giving a greater degree of comfort for each person. The Rag Barn is a gifted and renovated space from a family with a son in our services. It is located on Church Drive, five miles north of Kalispell.
Also in our day service program are Flathead Industries Thrift stores, located in Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. The emphasis in training at these stores is pre-vocational skills, often leading to working in at jobs out in the community at-large. Social skill and general life skills are also taught in these facilities.
Tours of any facilities may be arranged through the Day Services Director, Susan Bonin. Susan can be reached at 755-7656, ext. 230
