New assisted living facility coming to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A nonprofit organization for adults with disabilities is building a new group home in Crestview.

The Arc of the Emerald Coast, formerly Horizons, began construction of the six-bedroom, three-bathroom facility in February. The group home is located on Hickory Avenue next to Vitaliano restaurant, which is supposed to open later this month.

When completed, the facility will house six adults living with disabilities. The home is completely accessible, and incorporates green building features such as Energy Star appliances and low-flow fixtures. The home will also have a direct-care worker on-site to assist residents with their daily needs.

The Arc works with adults with conditions like autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. Along with group homes, they offer in-home support, companion services, employment support and other services.

The group home will be the fifth home The Arc of the Emerald Coast has completed. It currently operates two eight-resident homes and two four-resident homes as well as a foster home for a single resident.

Erin Thatcher, Community Development Coordinator for The Arc, says residents of the home will have the option to participate in group activities, adult day training and life skills training. She says the organization also provides transportation for when residents want to go out to eat or participate in other activities outside of the home.

Residents of the Crestview facility have already been selected. People interested in a group home spot for a family member must apply with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Thatcher says residents typically end up staying in the group homes long-term.

"We provide employment, assisted living and Adult Day Training services  to many intellectually disabled citizens of  Crestview already, and are very excited to be able to provide this community residential home to our clients with disabilities in that area, said Donna Tashik, Community Development Director for The Arc of the Emerald Coast. "We thank the neighborhood for the warm welcome."

Visit http://apd.myflorida.com to download an application for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New assisted living facility coming to Crestview