Friendship Program, Inc. – Making a Difference…

Friendship Program, Inc. is a private, non-profit agency committed to creating a caring and supportive environment to assist elderly and disabled individuals to remain independent in the community. The agency offers Adult Day Services, Community-Based Rehabilitation Services, Community Support, and case management. Through comprehensive provision of each of these services, Friendship Program, Inc. gives evidence of its dedication to community integration, normalization, and self-determination by the persons served.

Started in 1979, Friendship Program, Inc. was developed by Janice Hardy O’Callaghan, the agency’s Executive Director, as a small Adult Day Service. “We had a grant for 10 people, and we were so tickled to have six participants,” she explained. In 1985, the agency initiated Community-Based Rehabilitation Services to provide mental health education and support to individuals with chronic and persistent mental illness. CARF accreditation was attained for the first time in 1996 for Community-Based Rehabilitation and case management. In 2000, the agency became the first Adult Day Service provider in the state of Nebraska and the 20th in the nation to receive CARF accreditation. In 2001, Community Support was added to further enhance services. Now, Friendship Program, Inc. serves 350 consumers and participants through its three programs. “There may be others like us, but there is only one Friendship,” O’Callaghan said.

“Coming to Friendship feels like home…I love it here.”
McKinley T., Adult Day Service Participant

The Adult Day Service provides supportive services to the elderly and their families and caregivers. This program primarily serves those 60 years of age or older to live independently in the community. Classes and activities are provided to increase social and recreational opportunities. The program also provides health assessments and education, medication assistance and education, coordination with physicians and other service providers, transportation, nutrition assistance, and community outings.

“I love the Friendship Program. It has been a life saver for me.”
Celestine K., Community-Based Rehabilitation Services Consumer

The Community-Based Rehabilitation Service serves those experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. Through active participation in this program, consumers receive services to develop, enhance, and maximize quality of life and functional abilities. Benefits of involvement include enhancement of consumer ability to function in the community, decreased hospitalizations, and promotion of utilization of the least restrictive setting. A diverse curriculum is provided in response to the specific needs of those served including educational groups and supportive services to enhance knowledge of mental illness, medications, relapse prevention, daily living skills, and self-advocacy. This program also provides health assessments and education, medication assistance and education, transportation, GED and job readiness classes, volunteer opportunities, and community outings.

“The program has taught me what friendship is.
You find your family where you are.”
Inez E., Adult Day Services Participant

The Community Support and case management services provide goal-oriented and individualized support through assessment, planning, linkage, advocacy, coordination, and other activities to assist consumers in meeting their goals. Staff works together with the individual to achieve goals, optimize independence, encourage and strengthen service participation, develop community contact, and enhance stabilization.

Friendship Program, Inc. offers innovative and personalized services to all participants and consumers of the Adult Day Service, Community-Based Rehabilitation Service, and Community Support programs. If you would like more information about Friendship Program, Inc. please visit our website at www.friendshipinc.info or contact the Social Service Department at (402) 393-6911.