Background
Previously, Nicole lived in a group home placement for two years coming from school-age residential where she lived for three years. Patty lived at home and was self-directing her services for seven years after her high school graduation. Nicole started approval for Self-Direction while in the group home after six months. The group home was an integrated two-person, 24-hour IRA. Nicole and her family felt her group home placement was too restrictive after seeing how Patty lived using Self-Directed Services. The family started a transition to shared living for the sisters. About a year before moving them in together, the family started working with a Housing Navigator to understand the process and needs for a successful shared living experience. They did deep, person-centered planning meetings that included the staff who worked with Patty and the group home team for Nicole. The positive family members, friends, and Care Managers all gave input to talk about all the needs and make a plan with proactive strategies for the Life Plans. They found a three-bedroom condominium rental in an area with amenities close by and a third bedroom for possible additional supports. Patty had a more senior DSP who would take the lead for the staff as the senior team leader. This senior staff would communicate any concerns and coverage needs to the family and circle of support. With the supports of shared and individual Community Habilitation staff and a Clinician Consultant (Non-Direct) staff trainer, the women were able to move into their new home and access the transition stipend to furnish their home. The senior staff and their support broker cover a lot of the day-to-day communications through a group chat. This includes staffing schedules and coverage, mail collection, the ring doorbell assistive technology support, Ring Cameras that the COS felt could provide overnight support instead of staff. Other supports include two paid neighbors with the ability to provide remote support or virtual staffing if needed to provide a positive independent living experience in the least restrictive environment. The budget included overnight staff at a minimal amount in case needs change. Nicole and Patty are active members of their condominium community with a few “unpaid” neighbors who organically check in on them as friends would. Nicole walks her neighbor’s dog, takes cooking classes, and sings in the community choir that travels to local senior living centers. Patty regularly uses the community pool, gym, and bowling alley, and she works at the local bagel store three days a week. Their staff assist to plan meet-ups with friends for Wednesday dinners out when they want to socialize. They both use Household-Related Items and Services to have a cleaning service deep clean their condo unit every two weeks. They use OTPS to help pay for their internet, utilities, phone, Ring doorbell, and medication dispenser fees through other goods and services related to health and safety (see OPWDD Self-Direction Guidance for Providers for more details). They both have CDPAP for medication and medical as well as personal care assistance.
Self-Direction Services
- COM HAB 1:1 staff 6 days a week for 30-35 hours
- COM HAB shared staffing in the morning, evenings or when needed for 18-30 hours
- OPWDD Housing Subsidy
- IDGS Services, including:
- Community Classes
- Clinician Consultant (Non-Direct)
- Memberships
- Paid Neighbor
- Household-Related Items and Services
- OTPS Services, such as utilities, phone, internet, clothing allowance, other goods and services related to health and safety (medication dispenser), and other goods and services to increase independence (housing navigation).