Empowering Independence in the Community -Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services

At Abacus, our mission is to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to achieve their ideal life through person-centered support and community advocacy. We deliver essential services across Lancaster, Reading, Pottsville, Pottstown, Harrisburg, York, Downingtown, Allentown, and the surrounding areas. We provide personalized support programs to help adults develop skills, increase their independence, and realize their highest potential both at home and within the community.

Our Services: We offer a variety of Medicaid-funded home and community-based services, including:

• Companion Services
• In-Home and Community Supports
• Respite Care
• Homemaker and Chore Services
• Speech Therapy Intervention

To learn more about obtaining a Medicaid waiver for yourself or a loved one, please click here to contact your local supports coordination center.

We treat adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities with care and understanding, to promote independence and self-respect.  Weather at home, out in the community, or at the workplace, our services are individualized and designed to support people in reaching their goals and help create a path to the life they want to lead.  When first connecting with individuals seeking any of our support services, we guide them through the process and ask them to share their story and their goals and desires for independence.  Individuals are empowered to reach their highest potential and we help them build the skills necessary to flourish and excel at home and in the community.

Companion services are designed to help adults (18 and older) living at home engage more meaningfully with their home and community life. This is achieved by providing direct support, including supervision and hands-on assistance, specifically to ensure the individual’s safety, well-being, and ability to manage daily tasks. This support is flexible and can be delivered in a private home, the wider community, or at a place of employment. 

Homemaker and Chore services are offered to individuals living in private homes to ensure the dwelling remains livable, safe, and hygienic.

• Homemaker Services: This support helps the individual or their household members maintain the cleanliness of their home through standard tasks like meal prep, laundry, and general cleaning. It also includes critical health measures such as infection control, home disinfection, and intensive cleaning of medical equipment.
• Chore Services: These services address the heavy-duty maintenance required to keep the home safe and sanitary. Examples include deep cleaning (floors, walls, windows), securing hazards (like loose rugs or tiles), moving heavy items for accessibility, and essential outdoor maintenance (e.g., clearing snow, leaves, and basic yard work).

In-Home and Community Support (IHCS) is a direct service provided in home and inclusive community settings. Its primary goal is to help participants acquire, maintain, and improve the necessary skills for independent living and meaningful participation in community life.

This support includes physical assistance, instruction, and guidance (e.g., prompting, modeling, and positive reinforcement) across various life areas, such as self-care, health, home management, decision-making, communication, transportation, socialization, and community involvement. The specific level of support is tailored to the individual's assessed physical, psychological, and emotional needs, always delivered to enhance the participant’s autonomy and achieve their personal goals.

Respite care offers essential, short-term relief to family members or individuals who typically provide support. This direct service supplies supervision and necessary support to the individual in their private home, ensuring their well-being during either a scheduled break or an emergency situation for the regular caregiver.