DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED GIVEN STRONG CHANCE AT INDEPENDENCE WITH PSI FAMILY SERVICES' RESIDENTIAL SERVICE PROGRAM

Large Group Homes and Institutions Falling out
of Favor for Developmentally Disabled
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 2003 -- Susan* and her son were about to be abandoned by society. They lived in a D.C. homeless center and were threatened with eviction on December 31, 2002. Susan is developmentally disabled.

Today, Susan has been granted a new chance at life with her son. She lives in a new two-bedroom apartment and is participating in specialized employment and parenting training programs. Her son is also in an age-appropriate program. Susan is once again living life.

The program making this possible is human service firm PSI Family Services, Inc.’s Residential Service Program. Established this past year and endorsed and funded by the D.C. Department of Human Services, this program has two essential components:

• Alternative Living: Adults with developmental disabilities are placed in the home of specially licensed adults. In essence, the participant becomes a member of the family, while the homeowner works for PSI providing daily supervision and home skills training such as cooking, cleaning, and self care. This facet of the program attracts many therapeutic foster parents who are interested in working with adults with developmental disabilities. Each Alternative Living family is required to complete 40 hours of pre-service training (provided by PSI) to qualify for the program. The family is compensated by the D.C. Department of Human Services for room, board, and living expenses for the participant.
  

• Monitored Apartments: Adults with developmental disabilities are offered their own apartments, selected and furnished by PSI. PSI’s staff provides up to 24-hour supervision, providing mentoring and training for adaptive living skills such as shopping and cooking, and the encouragement to enjoy other community activities. These apartments can be one or two bedrooms, with each participant guaranteed his or her own room. This program is more or less the equivalent of assisted living in the privacy of the participants own home. Participants may invite their children and spouses to live with them as well.

“Over the 20 plus years that PSI has been committed to working with people with developmental disabilities, we have been strong proponents of the smaller, more private residential models,” said Dr. Yvonne Ali, PSI Executive Administrator. “Now we have developed a program that has the potential for long term stability and goes a long way toward giving adults with disabilities the respect and dignity they deserve. It’s a chance to live a normal life. Our Residential Service Program really gives the participants a chance at independence, community integration, and a feeling of pride.”

According to Dr. Ali, a typical day in the PSI Residential Service Program starts out with a visit from PSI’s staff nurse for the purpose of dispensing any medications and monitoring medical conditions. The participants are then transported to PSI’s respected day treatment center for their more formal treatment and counseling or to PSI-assisted day jobs. PSI’s Residential Program Director, Antoine McClure, monitors these daily activities and recommends changes when appropriate. At the end of the day, PSI staff greets the program participant at home and together, they cook, clean, and hold informal counseling. The nurse then makes an evening visit if needed. On weekends, PSI staff helps the resident to clean the apartment, launder their clothing, shop for necessities, and participate in community activities of interest. Sundays, PSI staff will accompany the residents to church.

“There is quite a demand for this unique living arrangement,” said Dr. Ali. “We receive requests for placement almost daily as the current scales are tipped well in favor of these smaller and more private living arrangements. Yet there is currently a shortage of apartments.”

PSI currently monitors five apartments with a waiting list of six that grows daily. The typical participant is around the age of 40, male or female, and is mentally challenged due to an emotional or developmental disorder. While they are not physically disabled, most require some type of medical support.

PSI has extensive experience in habilitation training and therapy for adults with developmental disabilities and mental disorders. As training techniques have advanced, PSI has come to understand the value of the residence as a setting in which to develop the home living and self care skills necessary for greater independence in the community.

Proud of the way the program is progressing, Antoine McClure commented, “Our Residential Service Program is a giant step forward for preserving the rights of the developmentally disabled. We help them raise their children, maintain relationships with their spouses, and enjoy life with dignity.”

*Susan is not the program participant's real name. We have used this name to protect her privacy.