Abilities First Inc.
Our mission at Abilities First is to provide people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration and acceptance by others through education, exploration and experience.
The practice of including people with special needs in all aspects of typical community life. Abilities First believes that if integration occurs naturally in a setting (e.g., classroom, place of work, residential neighborhood, etc.), the ratio of people with disabilities to those without should approximate what is found in the total population. That is, less than or equal to 20% people with disabilities. The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. We believe all children and adults can benefit from quality education.
Abilities First was incorporated under the name Rehabilitation Programs in 1962 with a mission to serve children and adults with developmental disabilities in Dutchess County, New York State. The organization began with a small education program known as the “The Little Red Schoolhouse.” The name Rehabilitation Programs was changed to Rehab Programs in 1996, and the name Rehab Programs was change to Abilities First in 2008. The name Abilities First was meant to signify that we value what people can do, what they can learn, and what they accomplish rather than their limitations or disabilities.
The wide range of services we offer and people we support reflects our commitment to inclusion and acceptance of people with various kinds of developmental challenges. From typically developing children who need to prepare for the academic rigors of school – to people with intellectual disabilities who need to prepare for independent living – to seniors who want to keep their independence and communities as they age, Abilities First provides the bridges and the resources.
- Jeffery Fox, Ph.D., President & CEO
- 845-485-9803 x 1200
- jefferyfox@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Mark Nace, Chief Program Officer
- 845-485-9803 x 1247
- marknace@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Brenda Douglas, Director of Day Hab Services
- 845-485-9813 x 393
- brendadouglas@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Gina Carminucci, Director of Com Hab Services
- 845-475-3217 x 385
- ginacarminucci@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Donovan Ashe, Director of Residential Services
- 845-452-1913 x 5110
- donovanashe@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Patricia Brown, Director of Employment Services
- 845-485-9813 x 201
- patriciabrown@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Sasha Silverman, Principal – School Services – Straus Family Pavilion
- 845-330-0356 x 2100
- sashasilverman@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Chad Richter, Principal – School Services – LaGrange
- 845-452-0774 x 2511
- chadrichter@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Camille D’Amico, Principal – Pre-School Services – Executive Drive
- 845-303-2405 x 1165
- camilledamico@abilitiesfirstny.org
- Deborah Bliss, Principal – Pre-School Services – Myers Corners
- 845-298-2090 x 8104
- deborahbliss@abilitiesfirstny.org