Community
friends together
faqs
Below are answers to some common questions about Friends Together. If you don’t see your question addressed here, please feel free to contact us.
PROGRAM & SERVICES
Friends Together is a community designed to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across many aspects of adult life. It includes both structured programs and community-facing elements that create opportunities for connection, growth, and participation.
Within Friends Together are two distinct programs: a Day Program and a social and recreational program offered during evenings and weekends. Adults may enroll in one or both programs, depending on their interests, goals, and desired level of participation.
There will be no single “typical” day. Each participant will follow a schedule shaped by their interests, goals, and the supports that help them thrive.
Depending on the person, a day may include activities that build skills for independent living, wellness and fitness, arts or creative pursuits, social time with peers, community-based experiences, and opportunities to explore work or other forms of community contribution. Staff will provide customized attention and ongoing support to help participants build confidence, strengthen skills, and engage meaningfully throughout the day.
Friends Together will operate on an academic-style calendar organized seasonally throughout the year. Prior to each season, participants will select from the opportunities being offered during that period.
Participants will build schedules by choosing experiences across multiple interest areas, both on site and in the community. They will be encouraged to select opportunities that align with their short- and long-term goals, interests, and aspirations. Schedules will be supported by ongoing person-centered planning processes that help participants reflect on what matters to them, explore new directions, and make adjustments over time. Built-in opportunities throughout the year will allow participants and staff to revisit goals and refine schedules as interests and needs evolve.
Friends Together is designed for adults who have completed their secondary education and are ready to transition into adult community life. The community is structured to support individuals across adulthood, with opportunities to grow and engage over time.
In Massachusetts, adult service systems typically begin at age 22, and Friends Together aligns with that transition point. For Riverview students, participation typically follows completion of Riverview’s post-secondary transition programming, including GROW.
The Friends Together Day Program will include a range of opportunities that may support participants in different ways over time, including:
- Shared spaces and amenities that will create opportunities for connection, inclusion, and meaningful engagement
- Weekday programming focused on skills for independent living, community participation, and lifelong learning
- Social and recreational opportunities offered during evenings and weekends
- Opportunities to explore employment interests and meaningful forms of community contribution, including on-site and community-based roles
ELIGIBILITY & FIT
Friends Together is designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to build a meaningful adult life within a community-centered environment. It is a good fit for people who are interested in exploring interests, building social connections, and participating actively in community-based experiences with appropriate supports.
Friends Together plans to provide supports within licensed adult service models, including MassHealth- and DDS-funded services where applicable, and is intentionally structured around shared, group-based participation. The Day Program will be focused on supporting adults who can participate safely and meaningfully in group settings, both on site and in the community, with staff generally facilitating activities at an approximate 1:7 staff-to-participant ratio.
Members follow individualized schedules and work toward personal goals within this group-based model. Because Friends Together is designed around shared spaces, peer interaction, and community engagement, it is not structured to provide continuous one-to-one supervision or ongoing clinical treatment. Individuals whose needs require intensive clinical oversight, frequent crisis intervention, or skilled medical care beyond the scope of a community-based program may benefit from a more intensive program model.
The application and planning process is intended to confirm alignment between an applicant’s support needs and the Friends Together service model.
COST & FUNDING
Friends Together aligns its Day Program with MassHealth Day Habilitation and DDS Community-Based Day Supports (CBDS), where applicable. For individuals who are eligible, these services may be fully covered through MassHealth and/or DDS, depending on level of support and authorization.
For planning purposes, a full weekday schedule at the lowest level of support would total approximately $3,412 per month if privately funded. Actual costs vary based on individual participation and eligibility.
The Social & Recreational Program is currently structured as a private-pay component at $400 per month, covering evening and weekend programming and shared spaces.
During the application process, we work with families to clarify funding options and projected costs.
Friends Together is designed to align eligible components of the Day Program with MassHealth and DDS funding options, including Community-Based Day Supports (CBDS) and Day Habilitation services. Some individuals may also explore the use of self-directed supports for certain activities, though availability and approval will vary.
During the application process, the Friends Together team will work with individuals and families to explain funding options, review potential pathways, and plan for participation in a clear and transparent way.
LOCATION & FUTURE SITE
Friends Together is planning a dedicated site in Hyannis, with an anticipated opening in 2027. This location will support the full Friends Together community, including program space, social areas, and community-facing elements.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Individuals and families can begin by completing the Friends Together contact or interest form. This will allow the Friends Together team to learn more about potential participants and to share information about next steps as they become available.
At this time, Friends Together is accepting and reviewing applications for the anticipated 2027 opening of the Hyannis location.
We are not currently reviewing applications for future program years beyond 2027. However, individuals and families who are interested in joining Friends Together in later years are welcome to submit an inquiry so that we can better understand long-term interest and plan for future growth.
Additional information about future application timelines will be shared as the program continues to evolve.
The Friends Together team will be happy to schedule virtual meetings or in-person conversations to discuss the community and programs in more detail. While the future site will not be available for tours during construction, these conversations will offer an opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and explore whether Friends Together may be a good fit.
HOUSING
Friends Together is not a residential provider and will not manage or operate housing.
Riverview is moving forward with plans to develop housing on the property as part of the broader vision for the site. The existing hotel building is being adapted for residential use to create housing for adults connected to the Friends Together community.
The housing will be operated by an independent housing or service provider partner, separate from Friends Together programming.
As development progresses, Riverview is finalizing details such as unit layouts, shared spaces, costs, and the structure of on-site supports. Housing will be introduced in phases, with additional information shared as plans are completed.
The housing is intended for adults who are part of, or in the process of joining, the Friends Together community.
When housing becomes available, individuals participating in or applying to Friends Together will be invited to apply through the independent housing operator.
Living on site will be optional and will not be required in order to participate in Friends Together programs.
Baseline on-site supports will be provided by the independent housing or service provider partner responsible for operating the residence.
Additional supports, if needed, may be arranged separately — either privately or through Department of Developmental Services (DDS) funding, depending on eligibility. These services would be delivered by qualified providers and tailored to each individual’s needs.
Friends Together programming and residential services will remain distinct.
A housing application has not yet been released.
An application process will be established by the independent housing operator once final design details, costs, and support structures are confirmed.
Riverview anticipates releasing housing application information in advance of the Friends Together program’s opening to allow interested individuals and families to plan proactively.
Updates will be shared as development milestones are reached.
have a question?
You can contact the Friends Together team by emailing friendstogether@riverviewschool.org.