Our Personal Support program renders supports to individuals within their home setting, these services are flexible focusing on the needs of the individual to ensure each person’s supports are tailored to provide independence and full integration in community activities.
Individual needs support for community engagement (outside of meaningful day services) or home skills development.
Personal Supports are available:
- Before and after school;
- Any time when school is not in session;
- Before and after meaningful day services (i.e. Employment Services, Employment Services, Career Exploration, Community Development Services, and Day Habilitation); and
- On nights and weekends transportation for the individual with priority given to the use of public transportation when appropriate. Personal care assistance services must be provided in combination with home skills development or community integration and engagement skills development and may not comprise the entirety of the service.
(Scope)
Personal Supports are individualized supports, delivered in a personalized manner, to support independence in a individual’s own home and community in which the individual wishes to be involved, based on their personal desires. Personal Supports services assist individuals who live in their own or family homes with acquiring and building the skills necessary to maximize their personal independence. These services include:
- In home skills development including budgeting and money management; completing homework; maintaining a bedroom for a child or home for an adult; being a good tenant; meal preparation; personal care; housecleaning/chores; and laundry;
- Community integration and engagement skills development needed to be part of a family event or community at large. Community integration services facilitate the process by which individuals integrate, engage and navigate their lives at home and in the community. They may include the development of skills or providing supports that make it possible for individuals and families to lead full integrated lives (e.g. grocery shopping; banking; getting a haircut; using public transportation; attending school or social events; joining community organizations or clubs; any form of recreation or leisure activity; volunteering; and participating in organized worship or spiritual activities).
- Personal care assistance services during in-home skills development and community activities. Personal care assistance services include assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, which may include meal preparation and cleaning when the person is unable to do for themselves only when in combination of other allowable Personal Supports activities occurring.
(Setting and Location)
Services are provided in the individual’s own house or apartment or in the community.
(Staff and Training)
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have a GED or high school diploma;
- Possess current First Aid and CPR certification;
- Pass a criminal background investigation and any other required background checks and credentials verifications
- Complete necessary pre/in-service training based on the Person-Centered Plan;
- Complete the training designated by DDA. All new hires must complete the DDA required training prior to independent service delivery, and at least every three years
- Possess a valid driver’s license, if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to provide services;
- Have automobile insurance for all automobiles that are owned, leased, and/or hired and used in the provision of services.
Inclusion Services requires the very best qualities in direct care staff. Direct Care Staff in all of our service areas, whether full or part-time are trained in all aspects listed below. In addition to the required DDA training, in order to be hired by the Agency a person must pass an initial drug screening and random drug tests throughout their period of employment. They also must pass a criminal records check, driving records check, and provide three work references which are scrupulously checked.
As part of the pre-employment process, prospective staff are required to take basic skills testing for math, reading, healthy food menu building, computer skills knowledge, and a writing sample. If a person fails to meet any of these requirements, he/she will not be hired by the company.
Inclusion Services believes in making sure our workers are extremely well trained. Workers receive training in the following areas:
| Aging | CPR | Incident Reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Blood-borne Pathogens | Defensive Driving | Individual Plans (IDOOPI) |
| Behavior Principles and Strategies (BPS Units 1-4) | Fire Safety | Medication Administration (Residential Staff) |
| Communicable Disease | First Aid | OSHA |
| Communication Skills | Fundamental Rights | Seizure Disorders |
| Community Integration | General Characteristics & Needs | Supporting Individuals in Making Choices |
Additional trainings are provided based on the individual needs of the person receiving services.
A number of staff are Certified Medication Technicians and would be able to administer medications off site, as needed. Special needs for some individuals may include blood glucose checks, dietary needs, toileting, etc. and will be accommodated for during the day. Staffing will be coordinated by the respective Program Manager.