Waterford Township’s adult day care program has been saved thanks to an agreement with a Southfield-based non-profit..

Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan announced late Wednesday it would take over the adult day care program from the township in August.

The township will charge Catholic Charities just over $1,200 a month to cover the cost of janitorial service and utilities. Encore will remain at 3621 Pontiac Lake Road but will move to a larger space.

Waterford’s board of trustees in May voted to discontinue the program on Aug. 27 over concerns about potential legal liability for the long-time program. Encore started as a Waterford school district program but was transferred to the township in January.

The longtime executive director, Erin Asdell said she learned about the agreement late Wednesday. She called the news a huge relief.

“The families are rejoicing. I think it’s going to be really, really good,” she said, adding that details will be worked out in the near future. “We have people on our waiting list that we were not allowed to bring into the program. I think Catholic Charities was impressed by the support of the community and see this program as a great opportunity to serve north Oakland County.”

Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta said the program will move from a single room to three rooms in the same building, which will provide 2,500 square feet of space.

Bartolotta said the township is drafting a letter to Encore participants and families to explain details of the changes.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to serving vulnerable seniors with dignity and compassion,” said Paul Propson, Catholic Charities’ chief executive officer. “We are honored to step into this role and ensure the families who rely on Encore continue to receive the care they deserve.”

“It’s a pretty good price,” Bartolotta said. “We’re basically not charging them rent. We’re doing that for a two-year contract.”

Bartolotta said that employees will be kept on the township payroll through the end of August so they can transition to Catholic Charities’ payroll.

Catholic Charities officials said they plan to retain

“We’re basically not skipping a beat for the families,” Bartolotta said.

To keep the program going, Propson said, Catholic Charities has launched a $50,000 fundraiser at ccsem.org/adc-donate.

Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan provides programs and services for more than 20,000 people in six counties, including Oakland, that are served by the Archdiocese of Detroit. Catholic Charities provides social services support in Oakland, Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, St. Clair, and Wayne counties for people of all ages, faiths, races and cultures — including adult day care programs in St. Clair Shores and Auburn Hills.

Encore is based in Waterford Township and intended for residents, but te program also serves people in other communities.