Active Re-Entry is a community-based program which assists individuals with disabilities through a wide array of services in seven counties of Eastern Utah.
“So we go from Wyoming down to the Arizona border providing services to people with disabilities of all ages and all types of disabilities which makes us unique. I mean some people have services for certain age brackets whether they be over 60 or under five years of age but we do all ages and all disabilities,” said Director Nancy Bentley. Those types of services that are offered are information and referral, independent living skills training, individual and systems advocacy, peer counseling and support, nursing home diversion and transition as well as youth postsecondary life transition.
In addition, Active Re-Entry provides a number of other programs to try to meet gaps in services within their local communities. Some of those programs include low vision clinic, assistive technology, scooter training, Veteran benefits services and PAWS. “Some of the things that people probably know us most for would be the PERKIE travels, the cancer treatment transportation program that’s coordinating between Carbon and Emery counties and they get people for their radiation treatments up to Provo. They don’t do radiation down here and so that is the closest facility that is available,” said Bentley. The trips are made to the Utah Valley Medical Center as well as the Central Utah Multi-Specialty Clinic in Provo. The vans depart from Active Re-Entry at 11:30 am and depending on the number of riders, are returned between 3:00 to 4:00 pm each day.
“Then we do other things like Music and Memory which we are the only facility outside of Jewish Family Services up in Salt Lake that uses that. The idea is you play music for the person from their era. It doesn’t change the fact that someone has cognitive decline but what it does do is bring them back for a certain amount of time that they can converse and they can come alive inside,” explained Bentley. Active Re-Entry is certified as a Music & Memory provider and is able to provide personalized playlists for those elderly or disabled individuals living in the community. The iPods, headphones and set up are free of charge.
Bentley was recently named Southeastern Utah Woman of the Year and after 30 years with Active Re-Entry will be retiring at the end of May of this year. Community members are urged to congratulate Bentley on her award and thank her for her many years of service to the community.
To learn more about Active Re-Entry visit their website at http://www.arecil.org/ or call them at (435) 637-4950.