Supported Living

Supported Living Program

At Independence Association we believe everyone, regardless of ability, has the right to pursue a meaningful life in his or her chosen community. Our program was developed to meet individuals’ needs with varying levels of support.  These supports include such things as budgeting and banking, menu planning and grocery shopping, assistance with medical/dental/psychiatric appointments, problem solving, independent living skills assessments, medication management, housing, community resources, and much more.

Individuals in the Supported Living Program live in an apartment, of which there are many in the Bath/Brunswick area as well as the surrounding communities.  We work very closely with landlords in the area and can provide you with assistance finding apartments.  We also work closely with the Brunswick and Bath Housing Authorities, and their Section 8 housing voucher programs.  There are also several apartment buildings which have HUD (Housing and Urban Development) vouchers.  The Supported Living program also operates two apartment buildings located in-town Brunswick. 

Dedicated staff of Direct Support Professionals are currently supporting more than 35 individuals in Bath/Brunswick and surrounding communities.  Each person served through Independence Association works with a team of trained professionals to help identify goals and needs related to their service plan.  After goals are identified, staff members provide guidance and support with a variety of strategies and activities designed to assist with meeting these goals.

 

Staff members within the Supported Living program are offered a variety of training that is program and agency specific to include things such as CPR/First Aid, MANDT, Certified Medication Administration certification (CRMA), Personal Support Specialist (personal care), MHRT C (Mental Health Rehabilitation Certification) certification, etc.  Staff members are also offered a wide variety of program-specific trainings related to services offered through the SL Program.

All staffing hours and times of day are determined through the team process.  All full-time staff members in the program work Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday to ensure the program is able to provide support services seven days a week.

Everyone who receives services is offered the chance to assist in the hiring of their personal support staff through the interview process and/or providing input to their team. 

Services and Supports offered by the Supported Living Program

The Supported Living Program offers a wide variety of services that focus on skill development and inclusion.   Hours of support and scheduled services are determined on an individualized basis.  The following services/supports are provided based on individual need. They include, but are not limited to:

Housing: Assistance locating, obtaining subsidy or licensing for, and moving to an Association or otherwise owned apartment/home.

Personal Care:  Assistance in activities of daily living to include help with things such as assistance with bathing and personal hygiene.

Household Management: Assistance in the daily upkeep of one’s apartment/home.

Food Procurement/Nutrition: Assistance with meal planning, grocery shopping, nutrition, cooking, and food storage.

Health Care:  Assistance in maintaining optimal health and/or the coordination of services provided by community health professionals.

Financial Management:  Assistance with personal accounts, budgeting of monies, bill paying, benefits, and other funding sources as appropriate.

Legal Affairs:  Assistance in the understanding of one’s legal rights or any other legal matters that may pertain to them.

Self-Advocacy:  Assistance in developing the skills to speak up and be an advocate for oneself.

Case Management:  Coordination of services and assistance in identifying and achieving individual goals by addressing them with a formal plan.

Peer Support:  Assistance in the facilitation of group meetings, which provide opportunities for individuals to discuss common interests, topics of concern, and upcoming events.

Human Relations:  Assistance/support in individual development of a positive sense of self, and an understanding of personal behavior and the behavior of others.

Community Resources: Assistance accessing alternative means of support or social and recreational opportunities outside of Independence Association.

Sexual Health: Assistance in obtaining the necessary information and education, which will enable individuals to make informed choices regarding sexuality.

Transportation:  Assistance in accessing all available modes of public transportation as well as providing transportation when necessary.

Decision Making/Problem Solving:  Assistance in problem solving and the understanding of possible positive and negative outcomes.

Safety and Emergency Procedures: Assistance with home and community safety procedures and the accessing of emergency personnel.

Follow-up: Home visits, when possible, 30 and 90 days following the termination of support services.  Crisis Intervention/On-Call Pager Assistance available on an on-call basis, 24 hours a day for emergency related needs.

Independent Living Skills Assessment:  Completed upon admission into the program and updated annually.  Further assessments such as appointments for an audiological, psychological, etc., examination are referred out to local community resources.

  NOTE: The aforementioned services/supports may be provided by Association personnel, or may be referred to an outside individual agency or provider as appropriate.

Other Activities and Events Sponsored by the Supported Living Program

•   Monthly Tenant Meetings: For persons living at 6 Gilman Avenue and 17 Lincoln Street, tenants meet monthly to discuss areas of common interest or concern.  This is also used as time for information sharing. Persons served, with support from staff as needed or requested, lead these meetings.
  
  
•   Quarterly Program Retreats: Each quarter, the Supported Living program offers a retreat to all persons involved in the program in order to encourage peer support within the program. Retreats have included events like spring cleanup/barbeques, December holiday parties, group activities to the movies, etc.
  
  
•   Other Events: Occasionally, the program sponsors weekend day activities for small groups including the Saturday breakfast group, shopping in New Hampshire and Boston, depending upon the goals of the individuals in the program.