Your life, your way. That is our focus.
We offer In-Home and Community Support (IHCS) services to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities or autism. Our IHCS services help the person to learn and sustain the skills that are important to them. In-Home and Community Support is a direct service. Support is offered in the person’s home and community by a Support Partner. The guidance and support provided are driven by the person’s goals, preferences, and needs.
In-Home and Community Support in Action:
Michael receives support in his home and community. Andy is one of Michael’s longest support partners. This picture was taken when Michael and Andy went to a Styx concert. Michael likes listening to music and sharing his love of ‘oldies’ with his team. At home, Michael enjoys cooking, reading magazines, and cheering on his favorite football teams. When Michael is out and about, he likes going to local restaurants for his favorite foods and to talk with the workers who he has become friendly with. With the support from his team of support partners, Michael lives an everyday life of his choosing.
In-Home and Community Support can look different for each person. However, it generally includes the following:
Individualized Support:
Our IHCS services are tailored to each person. Using person-centered planning tools, we partner with the person to design and evaluate their services ongoing.
Companionship and Relationship Building
A friendly and supportive relationship is the foundation of this service. Support Partners are selected by the person via a matching and interviewing process. Support Partners are mentored to support the needs and aspirations of the person they are supporting. Through a trusted relationship, Support Partners can help the person to:
- explore interests and hobbies
- meet others
- form and sustain friendship
Here’s a video of Michael and Annie talking their relationship and what they do together:
Community Connections:
We help the person to be an active part of their neighborhood. This often includes providing support with learning about and taking part in activities and social events. It can also include helping the person to make connections with people and resources in their area.
Household and Personal Assistance:
We assist the person with activities of daily living, as wanted or needed. This can include assistance with:
- Household chores and tasks, including helping with cleaning, cooking, laundry, and other activities in the person’s home.
- Helping the person to care for themselves in ways the person directs and is comfortable with.
Skill Building:
We help the person to learn and practice skills for everyday living. This can include interpersonal skills, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, conflict resolution, money management, and more! We tailor our support to what the person has identified as important to them.
Communication Support:
We support the person to communicate in ways that are meaningful to them. For some, that may be with the use of formal communication support. Whatever the method of communication, the goal is to promote the person’s voice and choice.
Health & Wellness Support:
We help the person to learn and develop practices that promote health and wellness. This can include support with:
- Nutritious Meal Planning
- Healthcare Coordination
- Participating in Therapeutic Activities
- Self Administering Medications
- Understanding and Navigating Risk
- Wellness Activities, such as going to the gym or a yoga class.
Transportation Assistance:
Support Partners help with transportation to activities, shopping, and other essential errands. We can also help the person to learn and practice using public transportation.
In-Home and Community Support in Action
Jessica and Erin have been friends for over 14 years. They spend a lot of time together at each other’s homes and out and about. Both Jessica and Erin receive services through Values. Jessica uses our In-Home and Community Supports services. Erin uses our Supports Broker Services because she chooses to self-direct her services. Jessica and Erin have many things in common. They bowl in a league together and travel together as well. They attend and present at conferences together. They support each other with their individual goals. They also challenge each other in helpful ways, just as true friends do!
From the Blog:
Adapting in Partnership
An accidental fall and fractured hip changed Elissa’s life within minutes. Yet, through her recovery, Elissa demonstrated perseverance that was nothing short of incredible. Elissa’s Support Partners played an essential role in this recovery. During Elissa’s time in the hospital, her Support Partners brought a sense of normalcy to an unfamiliar setting. They brought smiling […]