Frequently Asked Questions
OE offers a suite of programs and services to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These services include:
The majority of OE’s services are for adults, but OE does offer a few services for children.
Camp Lakeside provides a summer day camp for school-aged kids.
Lakeside Respite is short-term relief for caregivers of children and adults with disabilities held at OE’s Lakeside property at Lake Eliza.
OE’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) provide qualifying students with career planning in order to help with the seamless movement from high school to employment or post-secondary education.
There are typically waitlists for OE programs, so the earlier the better! Though it is impossible to completely predict timeframes, we recommend caregivers reach out to OE while their loved one is in high school for all programs and services except Lakeside Respite.
Being added to the waitlist does not come with obligation, and individuals and their caregivers maintain the right to decline or defer enrollment if contacted. We recommend getting on the waitlist as early as possible!
Contact Family Resource Specialist Payton Summers at 219.464.9621 ext 261 or payton.summers@oppent.org for more information on availability and waitlists.
Each of our programs has varying availability and eligibility requirements. Contact Family Resource Specialist Payton Summers at 219.464.9621 ext 261 or payton.summers@oppent.org for information on program availability and enrollment.
No. Private pay options are available. Contact Family Resource Specialist Payton Summers at 219.464.9621 ext 261 or payton.summers@oppent.org for more information.
Yes, OE provides on-demand transportation for Porter County residents. For many individuals, this transportation is billable through Medicaid. For more information, visit our transportation page.
Personal drop-off shredding is available at the SecureShred customer service door #17 entrance located on the east side of OE at 2801 Evans Avenue in Valparaiso. Visit SecureShred for more information.
OE is a standalone agency. We do not have any formal relationship with the Special Olympics, although many of our clients participate. We are not affiliated with Housing Opportunities, although it was birthed here at OE.
Night to Shine is not an OE event, although many of our clients attend. It is hosted by Valparaiso Nazarene Church with support from the Tim Tebow Foundation. For more information, contact VNC directly.
OE’s Shared Table Food Pantry provides opportunities for the community to secure food and other household items. Visit Shared Table Food Pantry to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Help Me Grow Porter County connects local growing families with resources that can help them navigate pregnancy, early parenthood and child development.
