Frequently Asked QuestionsChange can be stressful. Whether you’re moving out of your family home or looking for different people to work with, we recognize that these times can be confusing and a little frightening. CLO is committed to supporting individuals and their loved ones through these times of transition. We believe that by working together and focusing on the uniqueness of each person, we can develop support systems that meet those needs. In an effort to reduce some of the confusion, we have summarized a number of questions and answers that a lot of people seem to have. We hope that these are helpful to you! We would also be happy to talk with you in detail about any questions or concerns that you may have. How do I get referred for your services? Do I need a referral for My Own Home? What are the first steps if I get services from Community Living Options? How do I know if someone I know has a mental illness? What is a Developmental Disability? How much will services cost? How do you screen new staff? How do you train your staff? How long can I expect a service to continue? Do you support consumer choice? How do you evaluate your services? What if I am found ineligible to receive your services? How do I get referred for your services? Community Living Options is a provider of many services, all contracted through your local Community Mental Health. If an individual with a developmental disability and/or mental illness needs support, they may be eligible for services through Community Mental Health. In Kalamazoo, please contact the Access Center at 269-373-6000. If you currently have a supports coordinator or case manager, they can assist you with becoming eligible to receive our services. Return to Top Do I need a referral for My Own Home? No, this program can be contacted directly through Community Living Options. An application form will be sent to you to determine if you are eligible for the service. Return to Top What are the first steps if I get services from Community Living Options? The Program Supervisor will take you through an orientation process. This will provide you information about the program, what you can expect from us as a provider, and your responsibilities regarding services. Return to Top How do I know if someone I know has a mental illness? Symptoms of mental illness or serious emotional conditions may include significant changes in: Eating and/or sleeping habits Mood (angry, irritable, withdrawn, depressed, sad) Behavior (drug/alcohol abuse, criminal acts, violence, lethargy) Thought or perceptions (hearing voices, uncontrollable thoughts, difficulty thinking clearly, thoughts of harming self, or others). Return to Top What is a Developmental Disability? Developmental disabilities occur before the age of 22 and affect physical and/or mental abilities. Examples of disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. A developmental disability may result in limited functioning in self-care, speech and language, learning, and the ability to live independently and/or support oneself financially. Return to Top How much will services cost? Fees for service are based upon your ability to pay or health insurance coverage. Private pay rates vary on the service needed, and can be obtained upon request. Return to Top How do you screen new staff? When we hire new staff, Community Living Options checks the criminal and driving records of all new employees. We also check with the local Office of Recipient Rights to confirm that an individual does not have any substantiated abuse or neglect charges. Each staff is also required to agree to complete drug test, a physical, and TB test. All direct care staff must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Return to Top How do you train your staff? Once employed, all CLO staff who work with individuals in their own homes or the community are required to complete the following training: CPR/First Aid; Health; Medication Administration and Monitoring; Recipient Rights and Confidentiality; Environmental Emergencies; Prevention of Disease Transmission; Van Safety; Fire Safety; Crisis Management; Cultural Competence; Person-Centered–Planning; HIPAA, and Person-Specific Training. Staff who work in a specialized Residential home have additional training as dictated through the Department of Community Health. Return to Top How long can I expect a service to continue? The length of service for each program varies on the person, the expected outcome of the service, and the funding source. In Specialized Residential homes, the home may be seen as a long-term living situation. For others, the residential placement is to stabilize symptoms so that the individual can move to a less intensive setting. How long you receive our other services will ultimately be a decision that you make with your service team and the funding source. Return to Top Do you support consumer choice? We believe that each individual has a right to exercise as much control as possible over his or her life and to learn from life experiences. We recognize that there are inherent risks in assisting people to exercise those rights. In recognition of changing lifestyles and choices, Community Living Options encourages consumers with their service teams to fully explore any risk inherent in their choices. Return to Top How do you evaluate your services? Services to the individual are evaluated in many ways. Program Supervisors review the progress toward each consumer’s desired goals monthly, and make modifications based on the consumer’s progress, needs and desires. The entire service team reviews the Annual Service Plan at least yearly. A satisfaction survey is obtained yearly which measures how satisfied consumers, their families, and outside agencies are with our services. These results are then made available in our newsletter to all interested parties. Lastly, the Community Living Options Outcomes Committee tracks specific goals for the entire agency to measure our services in the areas of effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. These results are also published in the newsletter, and are available upon request at any time. Return to Top What if I am found ineligible to receive your services? Community Living Options will inform you and the referral source in writing as to the reasons, and assist you in finding potential alternative services if requested. |
