Staff and resident leaning against a banister in a Bay Cove group residence. Their heads are leaning towards each other, they are smiling.

Developmental Services

Bay Cove's Developmental Services partners with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, offering supports that foster each person's independence, wellness, and full participation in all aspects of life.

Our continuum of support includes a wide range of residential, educational, social connection, and employment options. Our goal is to assist each individual in making self-directed choices which lead to houses that are homes, jobs that become fulfilling careers, and days and lives that are meaningful.

Residential Services

Bay Cove operates dozens of community residential programs throughout Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Our dedicated residential teams provide highly individualized 24-hour supports to those living in Bay Cove homes, with a strong emphasis on community integration and independent living skills.

People who live in Bay Cove houses can expect to find a safe and comforting environment, in which all housemates participate in setting the culture of each residence through discussion, action, practices and routines. Each person is encouraged to be as involved as they wish in the decorating, menu planning, and daily scheduling of their home. Bay Cove has the expertise to successfully support people with multilayered challenges, such as those with complex medical, psychiatric, and physical disabilities.

To qualify for admission to a group residence, applicants must:

  • Be 22 years or older

  • Meet the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) eligibility requirements

  • Qualify for rental subsidies (if applicable)

Learn more: (617) 371-3011 ehoy@baycove.org

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Looking for mental health residential services?
Click here for more information about Bay Cove's Adult Community Clinical Services.

Day Services

Bay Cove provides a comprehensive range of day services that focus on education, community integration, employment support, and skill development for adults with developmental disabilities.

All of our day programs provide a safe and supportive environment to help participants learn to take charge of their lives and become more active in their communities. Although each program provides a structured daily schedule, we emphasize the importance of personal choice and accommodate each person's individual needs as required.

  • Two women outdoors are watering a raised flower bed, which is blooming with color. One woman is standing holding a watering can, the other woman is seated in her wheelchair, guiding the watering can with her hands.

    Day Habilitation Program

    Our Day Habilitation program (South End) is designed to provide habilitative services for people with developmental disabilities, and features full-day nursing and personal care supports, communication skill building, and sensory integration supports.

    Supports are provided in the following service need areas: independent living, social development, sensorimotor development, behavior development, self-help, and communication. The program also offers opportunities to participate in exercise, the arts, and the local community.

    Call us at 617-943-8206

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  • A man and women are seated at a table, both have one hand raised. They are dressed casually. Behind them is a bulletin board with the words “Human Rights.”

    Employment Programs

    Employment is a key focus of a number of Bay Cove’s day services. Center House Enterprises (South End) and City Square Employment Supports (Charlestown) are employment preparation programs designed to help people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities to develop community and employment skills.

    The programs provides social skills building, job training, practical job experience at worksites in the community, and job placement supports.

    Our Supported Employment program (South End) assists clients with resume preparation, job interview skills training, and—once a participant becomes employed—offering one-on-one job coaching..

    Call us at 617-943-8206

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  • Five staff and program participants are sitting around a table with cards featuring different meals. Each woman has her hands clasped or folded together. The room is brightly decorated. They look like they are having fun.

    Community Based Day Supports

    Community Based Day Supports offer individuals a series of planned, coordinated, and goal-oriented activities designed to develop and improve community, safety, life, social and employment skills, while promoting independence.

    Staff partner with individuals to create individualized goals, and to tailor services to meet those goals.

    Services can incclude educational classes, community outings, employment training, volunteering opportunities, expressive therapies, social and life skills classes, health and nutrition classes, cooking groups, and exercise programs.

    Call us at 617-943-8206

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Monica standing in her workplace, arms folded and wearing an Aquarium staff shirt, nametag, glasses and hoop earrings. Behind her is a sign that says “Gift Shop.” She is looking down at the camera, arms folded, smiling proudly.

Monica’s Story

When Monica first began working with our City Square Employment Services (CSES) in Charlestown, staff recall her as being quite shy and quiet, but also determined to gain the increased independence that comes with securing employment.

With the help of CSES job coaches, Monica landed a secretarial position that she succeeded at, and which bolstered her confidence—so much so that she found her voice, and joined an advocacy group that speaks to state legislators about the needs of the disabled.

Supported Living Programs

Bay Cove offers supports to adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who live independently, as well as to families looking to enhance independence and opportunities for loved ones with a disability living in the family home. The degree of service provided by our organization is different for each individual we work with, and all supports are designed to help promote a person’s dignity, self-sufficiency, and independence.

  • Two men seated at a metal desk in an office, one is behind the desk, the other in front. They are reaching across the desk shaking hands.

    Individual Support

    Our Individual Support program provides up to 15 hours per week of individualized case management and independent living skills training to adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities living independently in their community.

    We provide an array of services that include help with finding and keeping hosuing, budget management, leadership training, advocacy for quality medical care and psychiatric treatment, risk reduction education, and 24 hour on call support.

    Services are respectful and responsive to each individual’s culture, language, lifestyle, and personal preferences.

    Call us at 617-371-3155

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  • A dressed up man and woman are seated in front of a large desk, in discussion with a woman seated behind the desk. There is a computer and a calculator on the desk.

    Family Support

    Bay Cove offers two Family Support Programs, one of which is for Haitian speaking families.

    Our Family Support services help families negotiate the difficulties that come with caring for a disabled family member in the home, while also offering aid in accessing available services and public assistance.

    Families caring for a loved one with a psychiatric or developmental disability can join a community of those who’ve experienced such challenges firsthand.

    Call us at 617-371-3155

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  • two women are outside on the deck talking and laughing. One woman is in a wheelchair with disabilities.

    Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Adult Supported Living

    The Adult Supported Living (ASL) Program provides independent living services for adults living with a severe physical disability and a secondary (sensory, cognitive, or emotional) disability. Potential applicants are referred to Bay Cove Human Services by MRC.

    The program is rooted in a philosophy that empowers people to make their own decisions about their lives, based on informed choice. This includes the right to take risks and perhaps even fail.

    Services can include finding accessible housing, vocational/educational supports, managing day to day tasks, supporting health activities, and helping to access recreational and social opportunities.

    Call us at 617-830-5037

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“In my job, I greet customers and help them find what they need. I enjoy it, because the people I work with are very nice, and you get to see so many different people every day.

I used to be shy, but I just got out of that eventually, and now I smile a lot. I work 4-5 days a week—I prefer it to sitting at home. I like making money and paying my bills! [CSES] has been such a big help—they help you find the best jobs.”
— Monica

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