PADS Finally Receives Promised Grant Funding

A favorite nonprofit agency in the South Valley has been rescued from closure after finally receiving grant money, but now needs your help to pay off debt it acquired to keep the doors open.

Porterville Adult Day Services, known as PADS, scrambled for weeks waiting for funding normally counted on for operations. The recent government shutdown due to a congressional stalemate over the national budget, along with funds sequestering, forced PADS to take out bank loans and run up credit cards to continue operations until it was announced funding would finally come this month. However, there is no money available through the grant to pay off the newly acquired $24,000 debt, according to Cheri Taylor, executive director.

"Our crisis is over for now," Taylor said. "The funds have been released and because of it we will receive a check per month through June. But we now have loans to pay off."

Donations are welcome and are tax deductible, and no amount is too small, Taylor said. Licensed by the State of California, the nonprofit's major function is to offer caregivers of dependent adults a respite period from those duties.

"It is not babysitting," Taylor said. "We help them emotionally, physical and mentally."

PADS features balanced meals, snacks, exercise, socialization and fun, according to Taylor. Visits can be for a half day or whole day. Outside visitors occasionally come as well, including school groups and pet therapy groups.

PADS allows fulltime caregivers time to take care of their own needs. The receives approximately $120,000 per year to offer caregivers respite time, as well as providing educational tools and seminars, and emotional support to caregivers.

The agency is located in Porterville, however, it is the only local adult daycare center serving most of the South Valley. It offers a pickup and return home service as far as Terra Bella and Pixley to the south and Visalia, Exeter and Woodlake to the north.

Services are available to anyone 18 years or older who is not able to care for themselves.

To sign up, caregivers set an appointment to come in and fill out an application and have an interview to assess their individual needs. A tuberculosis test is required for any adult enrolled in the program prior to their first stay. The center is open from 7:30 to 5:30, Monday through Friday, and can be used on a daily basis, while others may only visit once a month, depending upon each individual situation. Scholarships are also available.

With the release of grant funds, PADS funding is secure until June, when the annual grant comes up for renewal.

For more information on PADS services or ways to help, please call (559) 783-9815.