Club All-Access
An adaptive program that provides a sense of belonging
By Amanda Rodriguez
Photos: Sandi Olkkola
The Grapevine Parks and Recreation’s Club All-Access in Texas is an adaptive recreation program for adults ages 18 and older with special needs. The purpose of the program is to create opportunities for participants to engage in a variety of activities geared towards vocational readiness, health and wellness, independent living, and life skills, along with creating authentic social connections with peers. These objectives are integrated into the curriculum through fun activities, local field trips, volunteer opportunities, and community outings.
As a part of gathering data for a 2018 Master Plan, residents provided feedback about the lack of opportunity for the most vulnerable citizens in the community. While the school district and other agencies were providing great services for children with special needs, special-needs adults were being overlooked. As a result, the Grapevine team consulted with a number of agencies, professionals, and service providers within the field, which led to the creation of Club All-Access. The program is now thriving with a staff team of five (three part-time and two full-time employees serving dual roles) that is growing as much as its engaged members.
Tips And Advice
Do the research. When thinking about starting a special-needs program, study similar organizations to find out what works and doesn’t work for them.
Start small. It is more difficult to decrease services once you have started versus adding services as you grow. Instead of running a program five days a week, consider operating three days a week to better assess the workload. For example, Club All-Access runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Staff smartly. For a new program, rely on part-time employees and community connections to obtain qualified staff members. Ongoing training is very important for disability awareness, activity adaption, communications, and accommodation procedures, while also reinforcing the importance of inclusion and safety.
Take the time to know participants. Establish an intake process that allows you to evaluate potential participants. This not only allows you to know them better, but also provides an opportunity for you to make sure the program is a good fit for the family. The curriculum should cater to the overall participants’ needs, abilities, and interests. When working with special-needs individuals who are on different intellectual levels, it’s not about every individual grasping the curriculum, but more about the created experience. For example, participants may not be able to cook, but their sense of smell gets them excited about what they are about to taste.
Utilize resources. Community and inter-agency cooperation is an integral part of the success of Club All-Access. Volunteers serve participants by facilitating curriculum activities as well as fitness classes, such as yoga and basketball skills. The program has allowed our team to strengthen relationships within the organization and the community. You will be amazed by all the resources you have in the community and how many people are willing to help in any way they can.
Additionally, the Club All-Access Day program is held at The REC of Grapevine, which allows the organization to keep costs down by utilizing an indoor waterpark, basketball gyms, outdoor fit courts, and a fully-equipped kitchen. The overall budget for the program was set at $15,000, and will be re-assessed for the upcoming year. Thus far, 1/3 of the budget has been invested in supplies, such as tablets for the technology station, sensory equipment, vocational equipment, and classroom items. While the program may not be revenue-generating, it is still very rewarding.
Be flexible. There are many unknowns when starting a new program, so be flexible and be willing to adjust to circumstances. One of the lessons learned was that the intake interviews were not providing enough information about the participants’ challenges. After they enrolled in the program, we discovered some participants needed more assistance than we could offer. Therefore, we now offer
a trial week (free of cost) to participants before they fully commit to the program to ensure we are a good fit for
their needs.
Another challenge was accommodating participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some families were uncomfortable attending the in-person program, so an online version was offered. To accommodate both programs, the in-person lesson was shortened by an hour during this time. Although implementing the change was challenging, participants and their families were very appreciative for the online accommodations.
It Just Keeps Growing
The Club All-Access program has been rewarding to build and grow. What once was a new program with five participants is now a maxed-out program of 20 participants with potential for growth. We base the program’s success on observed growth and feedback from the families and the participants themselves. All of the members express a strong sense of belonging, in addition to individual growth and independence. By creating organic opportunities for connection, participants form strong bonds with each other. By fostering an atmosphere of inclusion, encouragement, understanding, growth, and self-expression, members learn from one another and have an authentic sense of place.
Amanda Rodriguez is the Marketing Manager for the city of Grapevine Parks and Recreation in Texas. Reach her at (817) 410-3919, or arodriguez@grapevinetexas.gov.