Community Activity Program

Designed for Adults With Disabilities

On behalf of our dedicated staff, participants, and volunteers, we warmly welcome you to New Gateways, Inc., located in Waterford, Michigan.

At New Gateways, we believe every individual deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, fulfilling, and enriched life. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where adults with developmental disabilities are encouraged to explore their interests, make personal choices, develop new skills, and achieve their individual goals.

Our community-based day program focuses on promoting independence, building meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities for personal growth. Through a variety of engaging activities, skill-building experiences, and community outings, we empower participants to discover new interests, strengthen their abilities, and become active, valued members of their community.

We recognize that every individual has unique strengths, abilities, and aspirations. Our compassionate team works closely with participants, families, and support networks to provide person-centered services that promote dignity, respect, inclusion, and choice.

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Giving Back to Our Community

At New Gateways, we believe that meaningful experiences, personal choice, and community involvement are essential to enhancing the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities.

Our program offers a variety of engaging, themed daily activities designed to encourage creativity, build independence, develop new skills, and promote social connections. These opportunities include Community Care Projects, Music & Dance, Cultural Enrichment, Arts & Crafts, and Health & Hygiene. Each activity is thoughtfully designed to celebrate individual interests, encourage participation, and provide opportunities for personal growth.

Giving back to our community is an important part of who we are.

New Gateways proudly partners with Meals on Wheels, providing participants with opportunities to help deliver nutritious meals to local seniors. This meaningful volunteer experience fosters a sense of purpose, responsibility, and connection while allowing participants to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

We also embrace opportunities to support fellow nonprofit organizations through our community outreach initiatives. By “adopting” local nonprofits, our participants and staff assist with fundraising efforts, special events, and community projects that benefit those around us.

These experiences go beyond traditional day programming. They empower participants to discover their abilities, develop meaningful relationships, and experience the pride that comes from contributing to their community.

At New Gateways, we don't just participate in our community—we give back, build connections, and make a difference together.

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Daily Needs

At New Gateways, we are committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment that meets the unique needs of every participant. Our person-centered approach ensures that individuals receive the assistance, encouragement, and resources necessary to support their health, well-being, and independence.

Personal Care & Hygiene

We recognize the importance of maintaining personal dignity, comfort, and hygiene throughout the program day. Our facility includes a dedicated Freshening Room, where participants who require assistance with personal care and hygiene can receive individualized support as often as needed. Our trained staff provide this assistance in a respectful, compassionate manner that promotes privacy, dignity, and personal well-being.

Meals & Daily Nutrition

Participants are asked to bring a cold lunch and beverage each day. For convenience and proper food storage, every classroom is equipped with a refrigerator to keep lunches and beverages fresh throughout the program day.

At New Gateways, every detail of our program is designed with the individual in mind—promoting dignity, independence, comfort, and quality of life in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Donate to Our

Nonprofit

Organization

Our facility provides a warm and encouraging environment for persons with disabilities. Help us make the world a better place for this vulnerable population by making a donation.

Things to Know About Our Community Program

We are a community activity program. We are not a medical facility; we do not have trained nurses, physicians, or nurses aides on staff. If your physician feels it is safe for your beloved family member to attend New Gateways, it will be your responsibility to supply us with any necessary information and training for their care.

General Information

New Gateways is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. Individuals are served regardless of religion, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, height, weight, or marital status.
Our days and participant hours of operation are: Client Hours: Monday Friday, 8:00am-3:00pm. Administrative staff are available 7:00am-4:00pm.
You will receive an annual schedule listing of closures for the observance of holidays and staff development days. We are in operation year round. Please send a cold lunch and beverage marked with participant’s name.
Please provide personal items such as adult briefs and a full set of clothing for emergency use. Individual needs can be discussed with the Client Services Coordinator at the Intake. Please see to it that the participant’s clothes are marked with their name.
Family members and/or caregivers are welcome to visit the program at any time. You do not need to make an appointment prior to the visit, unless you need to meet with a staff member. We request that all visitors sign in at the reception desk for record-keeping purposes only. Administrative staff will escort visitors after they have signed in. You may be asked to show personal identification for security reasons.
We ask that you call the Attendance Line at 248-419-2075 if you loved one will be absent. Please indicate the approximate length of time for the absence, if known. For prolonged absences, we recommend contacting your case manager.
Loose fitting clothing is suitable for general program activities and often preferred. Please keep in mind that our facility is air conditioned, so even on hot, humid days, they will be in a cool and comfortable environment. We often have spontaneous outings, so if the client requires a special sunscreen, please list this on their Standing Medication Order and keep sunscreen in their backpack. Any other medications, such as Motrin or Tylenol, can be locked in our medication cabinet. All medications require a signed Standing Medication Order and prescription from your primary care physician and will need to be renewed annually. New Gateways should be notified promptly of any medication changes.
All records regarding your program and personal information will be held confidential unless you or your legal guardian gives signed consent to release this information. You can contact the client services coordinator or program supervisor if you want to access your personal record. Records are kept on file for 7 years. (See HIPAA Privacy Notice)
In the case of an emergency, severe seizures, accidents, choking, or anything that we feel could be life threatening, 911 is called. Please keep in mind that the ambulance companies will only take clients to the closest hospital, which is St. Joseph Hospital in Pontiac.
In the event of minor injuries and/or illness, parent, guardian or caregiver will be called. Anytime a staff member is in doubt as to the severity of the illness or injury, 911 will be called.

Admission Criteria

Applicant must be 26 years of age or older at the time of admission.
Applicant must have an intellectual or developmental disability.
Applicant must demonstrate community readiness and the compatibility to share activity room space with peers; New Gateways reserves the right to decline admission to applicants whose cognitive impairment is accompanied by such aggressive, threatening, or disruptive behavior as is likely to cause discomfort to fellow peers and participants or jeopardize the well being of others.
Applicant must be amenable to participate in one or more of following areas based on their interests, capabilities, and goals outlined in the Person Centered Plan:

Community Outings
Non-Vocational Skill Building Tasks
Vocational or Supportive Employment

Applicant must participate in the New Gateways 2-3 day trial process and provide required documents to determine compatibility with fellow peers and participants, community readiness, and level of care. This includes the individuals current IPOS and Crisis Plan.
All required documents must be reviewed, agreed upon, and signed by the applicant and/or their designated representative (as applicable) prior to services.
Admission to New Gateways will not be denied to an individual because of race, religion, color, sex, or national origin.

Admissions Process

When being considered for the New Gateways program, applicants will want to indicate their desire to pursue a Non Vocational/Skill Building Community program and have it documented in the Person-Centered Plan. When a vacancy exists, eligible candidates will be notified by New Gateways.
If the applicant is interested in placement, an affirmative response to the vacancy notice does not ensure placement, only that the applicant will be considered as a possible candidate for the program. Service authorizations are reviewed and approved by Oakland Community Health Network.
New Gateways will review all responses to a vacancy notification. A decision whether or not the applicant should continue in the admissions process will be based on the information requested and received from the agencies involved with the applicant and an initial interview. Specific admission criteria for the program must be met for the applicant to be considered.
In order to make a proper assessment of the applicant’s service needs, New Gateways will require a current Person Centered Plan (dated no more than one year prior to assessment).
A Clinical Treatment Plan for needed services should be in place by the time of the applicant's start date (occupation therapy, nursing, speech therapy, dietary, psychological, etc.).
An applicant is not disqualified from consideration for future vacancies if, at any step in the present admissions process, the applicant is considered ineligible for the current vacancy by New Gateways administration or the applicant withdraws voluntarily from the process.
New Gateways’ Client Services Coordinator will inform the applicant in writing of its decision regarding placement.

Roles of the Administrative Staff

The Executive Director monitors the waitlist of applicants interested in being considered for placement at New Gateways
At the time that a vacancy occurs, the administrative staff is responsible for making decisions regarding the transition of individuals into and out of vacancies available at New Gateways.
The administrative staff will meet as needed.
Responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following: Evaluating eligibility and determining the appropriate applicant to fill each vacancy.
Determine action to be taken in response to emergency and/or exceptional placement needs that may be an exception to current practice.
The Executive Director of New Gateways appoints Administrative Staff.
The following people may participate in placement meetings with no voting rights: any new gateways employee, parent, and/or Board Member.
The Client Services Coordinator will be responsible for developing, updating, and utilizing forms appropriate to the functions of the intake process.

Waiting List Procedure

The applicant, guardian, and/or group home staff will tour the facility at least once. New Gateways highly recommends bringing the applicant on the initial tour. There is also a virtual tour available on this website.
If the applicant wishes to pursue their New Gateways placement, the applicant, guardian, or home staff should contact the Executive Director
The Executive Director will forward a Release to review the applicant’s current Person Centered Plan and Crisis Plan.
Once the IPOS has been reviewed and the administrative staff has determined that services can be provided, the applicant will be placed on the waiting list.
When a vacancy becomes available, the Executive Director will contact the applicant by telephone and mail.
The applicant has 14 business days to respond to the program vacancy. If the applicant fails to respond within the 14 business days, the vacancy will be forfeited.
2-3 trial days will be scheduled with the applicant at least two months prior to the anticipated start date. The applicant’s guardian and/or home staff should be present during the trial day(s).
An intake will be scheduled one month prior to the anticipated start date. The average intake is approximately 1 hour in length. A formal start date will be determined as well as authorizations for needed services. The applicant, guardian, and his/her case manager are required to attend the intake.
Authorizations will need to be approved and received by New Gateways one week prior to the start date. If authorizations are not readily available by the funding source, the start date will be delayed.

Discharge

Through sharing of information with families, caregivers, case workers, funding sources, etc. we will assist individuals to acclimate to a new environment if discharge occurs.
Discharge from New Gateways could happen for a variety of reasons, such as: you choose to leave the program, you may move away from the area, reliable transportation may no longer be available, recommendation of your program sponsor in agreement with you, behavioral challenges that endanger self or others that we cannot accommodate, health issues that cannot be safely accommodated at this facility, or preference or readiness for a different or more challenging environment, such as a pre- vocational program.
If a program participant is absent from program for more than 14 business days without valid documentation to excuse their absence, New Gateways has the right to terminate services. If the absence is medically related, noted documentation is required. If a program participant's medical condition changes and New Gateways can no longer accommodate his/her medical needs, New Gateways has the right to terminate services.
The decision would be made by New Gateways after consulting with the individual receiving services and team members of the Person Centered Planning team.

Grievance Procedure (Refer to HIPAA Privacy Practices)

If you have concerns or complaints regarding alleged unfair treatment or program related problems, you may present your issues in the following manner:

If you are receiving services funded through Oakland Community Health Network, you must use the grievance procedure outlined in the Michigan Mental Health Code Handbook.
If you have other funding sources or pay privately, please follow the procedure outlined below:

Every attempt should be made to resolve concerns and grievances through a meeting with New Gateways’ Administrative Team. If this does not result in a favorable outcome, you may use the following procedure. Please remember that you are welcome and entitled to have individuals and/or advocates accompany you in any meeting. Should you need an interpreter, please inform the Client Services Coordinator.

Present problems or concerns to a Team Leader, who should resolve the issue(s) verbally within one (l) working day, if possible.
If there is no satisfactory resolution, contact the Program Supervisor and/or the Client Services Coordinator who will respond verbally within one (1) working day.
If there is no satisfactory resolution, contact the Executive Director who will respond within one (1) day.
If there is no satisfactory resolution, contact the New Gateways Board of Directors.
Please remember that you may also contact the Oakland County Office of Recipient Rights at anytime, 1-877-744-4878.

Wonderful Programs for the Disabled

An average day in our facility consists of skill building activities and socialization with peers, staff, and volunteers.

There are many activity options for disabled adults at New Gateways. We offer pet therapy , music therapy with FAR, and physical fitness outings to Oakland Community Health Network and Inclusively Fit. Participants may also enjoy health and beauty services—we provide manicures, hair washing, haircuts (with permission from the participant or guardian), pedicures, and fashion fun. We also provide activities such as group games, movie showings, computer games, arts and crafts, and party planning. Daily community outings are held as well, including trips to shopping malls and local parks, fishing, casinos, art projects, visiting other programs to see old friends, shopping for micro business supplies, bowling, picnics, museums, sporting events, attending seminars where we sell our crafts, and many more community events. We celebrate all holidays! We have a great Diversity Committee consisting of participants and staff that see to it that our rooms and halls are decorated for ALL holidays.

All participants are encouraged to make independent and healthy choices throughout the day. Everyone is given a choice of places to go in the community, accompanied by staff and volunteers. Parents, family members, volunteers, friends, and case managers are encouraged to join in on our daily activities. New Gateways is very fortunate and proud to have a supportive Family Group that meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month.

Inquire About New Gateway’s Application Process

It is the mission of New Gateways to help adults with developmental disabilities feel safe, interdependent, and included in their community while supporting them in making safe and healthy choices, resulting in self-directed, purposeful, and productive individuals. We hope your experience with us is positive and enjoyable. Contact us today for inquiries or to get started with the application process.

New Gateways Inc

5195 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford, MI 48327

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Contact Info

Phone: 248-538-7830

Email: administration@newgateways.org

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Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday to Sunday: Closed

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Payment Options

We are currently contracted With Oakland Community Health Network