Family Support Services

Family Support Services were initiated over a quarter of a century ago in order to bridge the gap between the choices of doing it all alone and resorting to out-of-home placement. By offering in-home assistance, St. Joseph’s was hoping to alleviate some of the daily stresses very dedicated parents and siblings encountered while caring for a family member who is developmentally delayed. Since that time, hundreds of families have availed themselves of the services and have subsequently survived and flourished.

Through continually evolving components of the program, St. Joseph’s is able to respond to specific situations. In each case the needs and interests of the individual are assessed within the context of the family. A plan is formulated and a great deal of flexibility is built in.

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Family Aid

The Family Aid program can offer personal care, a friendly visitor or a personal companion on routine or recreational outings. The assistance can be available as often as several times a week or as infrequently as once a month, depending on need. Every effort is made to maintain consistency between staff and client, thus fostering an increased level of comfort.

Respite Care Program

Respite services provide the family with a temporary break from the constant care required for a family member with developmental disabilities who lives full time in their family home. Respite services are usually provided overnight—in or out of the family home.

Home-Based Waiver

Home-Based Waiver provides intensive in-home supports to families whose special-needs family member has multiple disabilities or exhibits challenging behaviors. An Annual Plan is developed for the special-needs family member identifying specific desired outcomes, which the staff, family and individual work on together. Staff may provide as much as 30 hours a week of in-home supports.

ISO Program

Intermediary Service Organization Program Agency with choice. The agency-with-choice model was founded on the principle of self-determination for individuals and their representatives. This program allows parents and individuals the option of choosing their own workers while alleviating the burden of employer-related tasks (training, background checks, payrolls, time sheets, etc.) St. Joseph’s Center acts as the common law employer. The individual or parent manages the day-to-day schedules and tasks to be preformed by the worker.

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Supported Independent Living

Supported Independent Living is a program that provides minimal assistance for people with developmental disabilities who are able to live on their own. The program serves as a bridge from living at home or in a Community Living Arrangement (CLA) to independent living. The support provided by St. Joseph’s varies from a minimum of 5 hours a week to 30 hours of assistance per week. St. Joseph’s may help with finding suitable housing, meal planning, cooking and domestic skills, and shopping. They may also help with exploring education and work opportunities, money management and support for medical appointments. If a person needs help accessing recreational and social opportunities, this may also form part of the service.

For more information:
Ann Rink, Administrator of Community Programs
570-963-1263