Day Programs for Adults with Disabilities in Phoenix, AZ
Day programs in the Phoenix area for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. In Arizona they are usually called Day Treatment and Training for Adults (DTA).
Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped (ARCH) Day Treatment for Adults
ARCH runs a DDD-funded Day Treatment for Adults program on its 5-acre recreation campus in central Phoenix, with sports and Special Olympics, performing arts groups, fitness classes, outings and van transportation.
Services & Care
DTA with sports and Special Olympics, performing arts, fitness and nutrition classes, job training, outings and transport.
Practical Info
DTA runs Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours available. DDD funded; drop-in option without DDD.
The Centers for Habilitation (TCH) Day Program
TCH's day program on its Tempe campus offers adults 18 and older with developmental and physical disabilities daily social, recreational and educational activities, life skills and community volunteering, with TCH's own accessible vehicle fleet.
Services & Care
Day program with life skills, social and recreational activities, community outings, volunteer enclaves and transportation.
Practical Info
Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Serves adults 18 and older.
SEEDs for Autism
SEEDs for Autism in south Phoenix is a weekday vocational and life-skills program for autistic adults 17 and older, where members make handcrafted products and train in the Garden of Treasures gift and thrift boutique.
Services & Care
Vocational job development with hands-on craft departments, life and social skills, and computer skills classes.
Practical Info
Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ages 17+; private pay, Vocational Rehabilitation or ESA; tour required.
The Opportunity Tree LEAF Adult Day Program
The Opportunity Tree's LEAF (Life Enrichment and Fulfillment) DTA program on its central Phoenix campus serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with member-chosen outings, cooking classes, art and social skills training.
Services & Care
DTA day program with community outings, cooking classes, art, social skills training and healthy-habit programming.
Practical Info
Campus open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed on federal holidays.
Cortney's Place Scottsdale
Cortney's Place in Scottsdale is a family-founded nonprofit day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have finished school, with music and hydrotherapy twice a week, classes and daily outings.
Services & Care
Day program with music and hydrotherapy, classes in cooking, art, life skills and fitness, and daily community outings.
Practical Info
Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For adults who have finished school.
Brighter Days Health DTA
Brighter Days Health in Mesa is a DDD-contracted Day Treatment for Adults program for adults with developmental disabilities, offering skill-building, community engagement and pick-up and drop-off transportation.
Services & Care
DDD-contracted DTA with skill-building, arts and crafts, community engagement and transportation.
Practical Info
Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. DDD contracted; transportation provided.
Developmental Enrichment Centers (DEC) Adult DTA
Developmental Enrichment Centers in Glendale runs an adult Day Treatment and Training program for adults 22 and older with developmental disabilities, plus a Senior DTA for those 65 and older, with transportation available.
Services & Care
Adult and senior DTA with life skills, communication, community outings, computer lab, fitness and pre-employment skills.
Practical Info
DTA runs Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ages 22+ (Senior DTA 65+); transportation available with some restrictions.
Stepping Stone Adult Development Center
Stepping Stone Adult Development Center on Cave Creek Road in north Phoenix is a day program for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities, with life skills, exercise, a sensory room, local outings and its own gym.
Services & Care
Day program with daily life skills, exercise, a sensory room, arts and crafts, music and local outings.
Practical Info
Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Alexander's Abilities Cactus DTA
Alexander's Abilities' Cactus site near 67th Avenue in Glendale is a Day Treatment and Training for Adults program serving West Valley adults with developmental disabilities, focused on community interaction, daily living skills and socialization.
Services & Care
Goal-oriented DTA with community interaction, daily living skills and socialization.
Practical Info
Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Serves adults with developmental disabilities.
Bethany Ranch Home Day Training Program
Bethany Ranch Home's Christian day training program in Phoenix serves adults with developmental disabilities with computer skills, gym workouts, cooking, job-skill preparation, volunteering and frequent community outings.
Services & Care
Day training with computer skills, fitness, cooking, chores, job-skill preparation, volunteering and outings.
Practical Info
DTA hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended hours and transportation may be available.
ArizonAbility Adult Day Program at UCP of Central Arizona
ArizonAbility is UCP of Central Arizona's DTA program in north Phoenix for adults with developmental and physical disabilities, with a greenhouse, culinary life-skills class, accessible sports court and a snack shack run by members.
Services & Care
DTA program with culinary life skills, horticulture, visual arts, adaptive fitness, community outings and self-advocacy.
Practical Info
Program hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tours available.
How to get a place and funding in Arizona
In Arizona, day programs are paid for through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Adults with a cognitive disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism may qualify.
Apply to DDD first (call 1-844-770-9500, option 4, or email DDDAPPLY@azdes.gov). Day programs are then covered through ALTCS, Arizona's Medicaid long-term care program, which has its own application and financial limits.
A DDD support coordinator helps choose a program and arranges the authorization.
Official sources: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities.