Daybreak, Inc., a private non-profit organization, provides a specialized supportive home-like living situation for a maximum of 22 adult men and women here in Dodge County. Daybreak operates two Community Based Residential Facilities licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services. Most people refer to these kind of facilities as “group homes”. Daybreak-Horicon has a capacity o
f 12 and Daybreak-Waupun serves up to 8 clients. Daybreak-Waupun also operates a two bed supervised apartment building next door to the Waupun CBRF. Daybreak serves the needs of the chronically mentally ill. The population is composed of high risk individuals; those who may be near hospitalization, those who have been hospitalized, or those who are taking neuroleptic medication. The diagnoses may include a wide variety of neurotic and psychotic disorders. The typical resident displays a diverse array of symptomology. Ultimately, the common bond among clients is a repeated or continuing need for psychiatric care and/or supervision. Daybreak is founded on the belief that mental illness is not a hopeless condition. It is a condition in which positive movement, personal growth and social achievement can occur. The mentally ill can be taught to manage their illness, much as people learn to manage other handicaps such as hypertension or diabetes. To accomplish this the staff of Daybreak are committed to the creation of positive expectations so they may instill a belief within clients that favorable results are possible. While severe mental illness may not be curable, its results need not be chronic dysfunction. The client can learn to manage effectively and independently with hope and dignity.
