Admissions

After they turn 22, people with autism and developmental disabilities often find themselves educationally, economically, and socially disenfranchised. School-based services provided under the federal Individual with Developmental Disabilities Act come to an abrupt end, and there are far too few forward-looking programs that support the transition from school, integration into new communities, and further the development of skills. The school-based supports that helped them to thrive disappear, and many individuals languish at home or in programming that is poorly suited to their needs and interests.

3LPlace assists individuals, and their families, who find themselves at this turning point.

Self-determination is at the heart of our work. With a focus on personal goals, members have great agency in learning and skills attainment based on their interests, their own life experiences, and their current development. With one well-trained staff member for every three members, we work with members to pick an ongoing and changing set of learning goals. Our day-long, group-based programming is available five days a week and currently has openings.

3LPlace is currently the only community-based program in Massachusetts that is eligible for the Department of Developmental Services’ self-directed funding.

A variety of individuals thrive at 3LPlace. We have very verbal members, and members who use assistive technologies to communicate. Members who live independently, and members who live with family or in shared settings. Our members include people of all genders with different diagnoses, skills, interests, and backgrounds.

If you are interested in 3LPlace, please review the table below. Please understand that we have an obligation to you and to our current members to ensure that all members can thrive in our community.  We have developed the Goodness of Fit Profile based on successful experiences over time. 3LPlace is a positive, interactive community. We are committed to maintaining this environment as we grow.

Great fit for right now Not a great fit just yet
Staff ratio
  • Work well in a 1:3 staff ratio.
  • Maintain calm and focus in group activities, community travel, and regulation and transition strategies.
 Staff ratio
  • Need a 1:1 staff ratio.
  • Often require one-on-one support for calm and focus in group activities and community travel.
Group interactions
  • Interested in growth.
  • Curious about the world around them.
  • Want to join the 3LPlace community.
  • Want to develop and explore strengths, interests, and passions.
 Group interactions
  • Benefit most from working independently with a support person.
  • Prefer to be on their own.
  • Do not seek out activities.
  • Is overwhelmed by small groups.
Medical, mental health, and behavioral support
  • Fully independent in the bathroom.
  • Can eat independently.
  • No significant medical conditions that require trained medical staff or medical intervention.
  • Can self-administer medicine if required during the program day.
  • Mental health challenges are manageable and are being treated effectively.
 Medical, mental health, and behavioral support
  • Require support in the bathroom.
  • Require support to eat.
  • Significant medical conditions or mental health challenges that would require medically trained support and would constrain full participation in the program.
  • Unable to self-administer medication as needed in the programming day.
Community behaviors
  • Open-minded and accepting of individual differences.
  • Seek community and friendship.
  • Interested in a community where their voice matters.
  • Enjoy exploring new places.
  • Enjoy the company of peers.
 Community behaviors
  • Challenged by differences in other neurodivergent individuals.
  • Self-isolating, withdrawn, and prefer not to engage with others in a group setting.
  • Struggle with new environments.
Vocational readiness
  • Interested in exploring career paths and building skills.
  • Want to explore jobs through 3LPlace volunteership partnerships.
 Vocational readiness
  • Seek job placements and on-site coaching.
Attendance
  • Able to attend at least two days per week.
  • Demonstrate punctuality.
  • Consistent attendance can be maintained throughout the year.
  • Able to attend from 10 am to 4 pm on programming days.
 Attendance
  • Can only attend one day per week.
  • Challenged by arriving and departing punctually.
  • Cannot maintain steady attendance throughout the year.

Next Steps

The first step in the admissions process is to schedule an informational call with our staff to better understand our program and so we can learn more about the prospective member. If it is a mutual match, we will invite you for a tour of 3LPlace before pursuing the application process further.

The application process will include clinical, educational, and personal references as to get to know the applicant best from those that know them best, and a half day visit scheduled before our staff confirm membership. 

Schedule an Informational Call

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Your application will be reviewed once submitted. Expect to hear from a member of the 3LPlace team within two weeks of submitting your application. Staff members may reach out sooner, if they have questions or need further information.

As part of the application process, you, the applicant, will be invited to a half day visit. This visit gives you the chance to meet our team and our members and for us to get to know you. It also helps us all further determine if there is a mutual match among you, 3LPlace, and our existing membership. In most cases, we’re able to complete the application process in less than one month.

Please understand that submitting an application is not a guarantee of admission.

“The beating heart of this place was respect, and everything we saw there sprouted from that seed.”

— Jess

Science and Curiosity

On Friday mornings, many members take part in our science group and explore our world through hands-on experiments. Members all get the chance to participate in this experiential learning and contribute by helping set up, conducting the experiment, or lending a hand with tear-down.