Pathfinder Village Community and School for Down Syndrome Adults and Children

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you're considering Pathfinder Village as a living option for a loved one, you probably have many questions about the admission process, life at the Village, the surrounding area, family involvement, and other topics. Below are some basic questions we frequently encounter. If you have others specific to your own situation, please feel free to contact us. Please note that all inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

Who lives at Pathfinder Village?
Pathfinder Village is licensed by New York State as a residential community for 87 men, women, and children who live with developmental disabilities. The village specializes in Down syndrome and generally seeks applicants who have a primary diagnosis of Down syndrome, age 5 and older, and who are self-preserving and in good general health. Our relatively small size ensures that each resident receives the individual attention that he/she requires, so that he/she may realize his/her full potential.

Is Pathfinder Village open year-round?
Pathfinder Village is always open! Some residents go home on holidays or vacations, but many choose to remain at Pathfinder during their breaks from school or work. Whenever possible, the village staff will assist with travel arrangements.

Of course, Pathfinder Village always welcomes our residents' family members who come to visit, and we encourage relatives to maintain loving, caring relationships with our residents.

Where is Pathfinder Village?
Please visit our Where is Pathfinder Village? page after you finish reading this page.

How much does it cost to live at Pathfinder Village?
Tuition, maintenance, and other fees are determined by the level of staff supervision that an individual may require. A preliminary assessment of the needs of the residential candidate must be made before expenses may be discussed. Fees are all inclusive, with the exception of medical insurance, personal items, special activities, and services. Depending on your state of origin, you may be eligible for certain tax breaks or state funding. It is always recommended that you consult with a trusted financial advisor when undertaking this process.

What is the admission process?

The first step is usually a tour of our community and an opportunity for you and your loved one to see the village, ask questions, and learn more about us. If you decide to submit an application for admission, your son or daughter will be considered an applicant. We will take the information you provide, review it, and present it to our Admissions Committee. They will either approve the application, request additional information and/or make a visit to your home and the school or workplace of your son or daughter.

Upon a favorable determination by the Admissions Committee, your son or daughter will be considered a candidate for admission and we will notify you. We have no formal waiting list, preserving the ability to select the individual who is the best fit with our community at the time a vacancy occurs.

How long is the admission process?
The length of time from first applying for admission to a person coming to live at Pathfinder Village varies, and depends when a vacancy opens. Once a vacancy occurs and a candidate is selected, a pre-admission review is scheduled and date of admission is established. During the pre-admission review we will encourage you to meet with the staff of the Kennedy¨Willis Center on Down Syndrome. This will provide you with resources for life planning, guardianship matters, and the establishment of trusts and other financial vehicles to assure that a long term plan is in place for your loved one.

When your son or daughter begins their stay at Pathfinder Village, an adjustment period is put in place. This period of 30 days allows for the new and current residents to adjust and to determine if there are any issues to address before final admission. At the end of the 30 days, an Individual Service Plan (ISP) is developed with you, your son or daughter, and key staff. If the decision to continue the placement is made, your son or daughter will become a resident of Pathfinder Village.

Is there a day program?
The Pathfinder Village School offers a day program, so that students -- ages 5 through 21 -- living within daily commuting distance to the village may receive individualized educational services in a smaller school setting. The admissions process is similar to that for residential services; families may need to coordinate their inquiries with their child's school district's Committee on Special Education.

info@pathfindervillage.org | Phone: (607) 965-8377