The purpose of Inclusion Services is to provide quality community development services to all persons served by implementing meaningful activities that promote choice, personal growth and community integration. Inclusion Services mission is to maximize all individuals’ unique talents by empowering them to reach their full potential. We will provide personal enrichment to live the best life possible, provide opportunities for growth, independence, teach life skills, provide experiential learning, and enhance the pursuit of personal goals developed by the individual within a community-based setting and amongst people without disabilities.
Skill Training and Development
CDS Services provides the individualized support necessary to help the people we serve enjoy all the benefits of community living. Emphasis is placed on such areas as community safety, social interaction, communication, self-care, and physical mobility.
Community-Based Activities
Individuals are encouraged and supported to apply the skills they develop in community settings. Examples of the types of activities scheduled include participation in community events and volunteering at other community organizations.
Our company believes that active engagement can take place totally in the community, this program is geared for individuals who need more intensive support in order to reach their potential, we offer a variety of person-centered community based activities that are stimulating and exciting via natural community-based supports. Our program targets several core areas of interest: Fitness and self enhancement, Adaptive Daily Living, Culture and Arts, Education and personal development through active engagement and fun.
Scope
Community Development Services provide the individual with development and maintenance of skills related to community membership through engagement in community-based activities with people without disabilities.
Community-based activities under this service will provide the individual with opportunities to develop skills and increase independence related to community integration with people without disabilities including:
- Promoting positive growth and developing general skills and social supports necessary to gain, retain, or advance competitive integrated employment opportunities;
- Learning socially acceptable behavior; and
- Learning self-advocacy skills.
Community Development Services may include participation in the following activities:
- Engaging in activities that facilitate and promote integration and inclusion of an individual in their chosen community, including identifying a path to employment for working age individuals;
- Travel training; As part of promoting independence Inclusion Services Inc. promotes the use of any mode of transportation that achieves the most reliable, least costly, and most appropriate means of transport for the person with priority given to the use of public transportation when possible.
- Participating in self-advocacy classes and activities;
- Participating in local community events; and
- Volunteering.
Community Development Services include:
- Support services that enable the individual to learn, develop, and maintain general skills related to community integration, volunteering with an organization, or performing a paid or unpaid internship;
- Transportation to, from, and within activities;
- Nurse Health Case Management services; and
- Personal care assistance can be provided during community activities so long as it is not the primary or only service provided. Personal care assistance is defined as services to assist the individual in performance of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.
Groups of no more than 4 individuals with 1 staff person will participate in the community together, unless a one to one staffing ratio has been allotted. People will be identified based on their individual interests and with team consensus. Individuals with similar goals and interests will work together in the same group of no more than 4 people.
(Setting and Location)
Community Development Services can be provided in a variety of settings in the community. Services will take place in non-residential settings separate from an individual’s private residence or other residential living arrangements. If accommodations cannot be made for in the community, the person(s) could go to their home for a portion of the day. Individuals needing such accommodations will be based on team consensus and, at minimum, be included in the person’s PCP. The Person-Centered Plan will contain the specific type of service required, the location at which the service will be performed, and the duration of the service.
(Staff and Training)
Staff working for or contracted with the agency as well as volunteers utilized in providing any direct support services or spend any time alone with an individual must meet the following minimum standards:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have a High School Diploma or GED
- Possess current First Aid and CPR certification;
- Pass a criminal background investigation and any other required background checks and credentials;
- 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 in the Day and Vocational programs.