Services

Independent Living Services

The program curriculum is designed to assist individuals at home and in the community with maintaining and enhancing ILS skills. The following topics will be assessed by the team to determine what skill training is needed and at what level.

Cooking
Cleaning
Shopping in natural environments
Menu Planning
Meal Preparation
Money Management
Public Transportation
Personal Health and Hygiene
Self-advocacy training
Independent recreation and participation in natural environments
Use of Medical and Dental Services, as well as other community resources
Home and Community Safety

Supported Living Services

Our program is designed to support individuals who live in homes that they rent, lease or own like other non disabled members of their community. Staff will work with the individual to ensure that they feel safe and comfortable in their home as well as their neighborhood. The agency will provide supported living services to the individual that include but is not limited to:

Deciding on an area where they would like to live.
Locating a home or apartment that they would like to live in. (Ideally near current activities and shopping center that would be beneficial to the individual)
Understanding and completing the rental process (filling out applications to lease, communicating with the landlord, gathering and submitting required documents).
Identifying and interviewing potential roommates when necessary.
The moving process (packing, contacting a moving company, ensure a smooth transition from one apartment to the other)
Modifying and maintaining the home to meet the individual’s needs.
Creating and maintaining a safe environment inside the residence.
Becoming familiar with the community in which they live and advise of any safety concerns.
Identifying the local police, fire department and emergency room/ hospitals available in the event of an emergency.
Identifying the most effective transportation routes and how to effectively utilize them.

Consumers will always be encouraged and supported to make their own choices in everyday life situations. Education and training will be provided in the following areas so they may acquire the necessary skills to live a fulfilled life with as much independence as possible:

meal planning and preparation
cooking
shopping
household management to include cleaning and laundry
money management
relationships
self-advocacy
personal care
social skills
24 hour emergency response
health and safety
recreation/ leisure
medical monitoring and scheduling
decision making skills

SLS staff will provide a safe, trustworthy means of support towards confident personal growth in independence. The consumer will be supported to always communicate their choices, needs, likes and dislikes to ensure satisfaction with services they receive. The agency will provide supported living services to the individual that include but is not limited to:

Assessment of the consumer’s needs.
Communicate with outside agencies to ensure benefits SSI, SSA and SSDI are not interrupted.
Dealing with and responding appropriately to governmental agencies and personnel.
Maintaining established relationships by staying connected to family, friends and those included in the individuals circle of support.
Establishing and maintaining an appropriate relationship with landlords and neighbors.
To advocate for themselves by communicating their needs and desires in everyday life situations.
Asserting civil and statutory rights through self-advocacy.
Recruiting, training and hiring staff to provide personal care and other services. This would include IHSS workers, paid neighbors, paid roommates and any staff providing respite and emergency relief for staff.
Attending to all personal care needs such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, personal hygiene, grooming and mobility.
Secure and maintain adaptive equipment and supplies used by the individual.
Preparing an emergency plan that is reviewed on a quarterly basis to include phone numbers and what to do in the event of a medical emergency as well as any other emergency / disasters (earthquake, flood, fire).
Ensure the individual receives training on skills that they understand and will be able to apply in the event of an emergency.
Addressing potential threats to an individual’s health and safety including a conflict resolution for disagreements about issues of health, safety or risk.
Having an emergency back-up system for support in a crisis.
Becoming familiar with the various resources available to the community such as libraries, community centers, recreational programs, shops, dinning and movie theaters.
Participating in activities available to the general public within the community in which the individual resides.
Budgeting for activities and outings which the individual desires to participate in.
Facilitation and advocacy at doctor appointments, schedule for preventative care and medication management.
Monitor all medical responsibilities including: follow up appointments, filling prescriptions, proper consumption of medications (dosages and times), etc.
Enhancing decision making skills for everyday life situations through role play.
When given opportunities discuss possible decisions and the impact they may have.

Individual Service Plans will be developed through a person centered planning process that will include the consumer and their circle of support (i.e. vendor, Service Coordinator and at times family) geared towards the consumer’s personal growth. During this time the consumers progress towards a goal will be shared and the consumer will have the opportunity to share any new desired goals. Monitoring of the consumers IPP as well as any significant changes in the needs and preferences will be reflected in their ISP. The methods of service delivery will vary case by case; services and supports will be geared towards the individual consumer and change as their needs change.

The agency believes that with effective implementation of SLS services the consumer will begin to make positive life decisions on the basis of personal preference that enhance the prospects for increased independence, self-reliance and self-esteem. The individual will be able to determine the degree to which they are satisfied with their own quality of life. They will be empowered to confidently explore different living arrangements and make decisions that best fit their needs if they have desire to move. The individual will be knowledgeable on how to interview and hire the staff to work with them that fit their needs, including the supported living agency of their choice. They will have the skills necessary to maintain a safe living environment, community involvement and healthy relationships. The will be able to actively participate in all medical appointments and responsibilities. Support services in all areas will be established by the preference and lifestyle of the individual.