SLI’s Community Integration Program (CIP) focuses on meeting the unique educational, social, and emotional needs of individuals with a variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Our CIP space incorporates best practice design features that provide a safe and stimulating environment where participants can build relationships with their peers, develop skills to support personal independence, regulate their emotions, and actively participate in our community.  This space includes:

• Accessible computer lab

• Full kitchen to learn cooking skills

• Job coaching center

• Small sensory rooms

• Entertainment area

Up to 55 individuals participate each weekday in person-centered program activities (8:30 am – 4:00 pm).  Regular CIP opportunities empower individuals to develop and maintain skills in: 

• Healthy lifestyles, nutrition, and fitness

• Independent living skills  

• Socialization and problem solving with peers

• Communicating needs and emotions

• Personal safety

• Managing money

• Computers and Internet 

• Self-advocacy

• Job training and employment preparedness

• Giving back

CIP participants contribute significantly to the well-being of the Topeka community through volunteerism.  They regularly volunteer with a variety of community-based organizations including Wheels on Meals, Adopt-A-Park, Brown vs Board Historical Site, Topeka Rescue Mission, Helping Hands Humane Society, Let’s Help, and many more.   On average, SLI clients volunteer 400 – 500 hours each month.