Overview
The following descriptions of services provided by Communitas, Inc. and Affiliates are excerpted from the organization’s website.
Family Services
Communitas’s website describes in more detail many specialized family programs it offers, such as support groups, informational sessions, and education and advocacy for families and people supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center offers assistance to parents and other primary care givers in their efforts to provide care in the home and community for a child or an adult with a developmental disability. Access to some services requires that the family member live at home and has been approved for supports by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) intake and eligibility process. However, there are many supports available to families throughout eastern Massachusetts that do not require a determination of eligibility from DDS. Families living in the Metro North Area (Everett, Lynnfield, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham) may be able to receive additional supports through DDS. Our philosophy is to do whatever it takes to support families by offering services which are flexible, individualized and family directed. We believe that when people with developmental disabilities and their families can obtain the information necessary they will lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Adult Family Care
Adult Family/Foster Care (AFC) is a MassHealth funded program that helps support individuals 16 years of age and older living in the community who are unable to live alone independently. Participant and caregiver eligibility is determined through MassHealth AFC regulations. Participants may live either with related caregivers or non-related caregivers. Caregivers receive a tax exempt payment for their services. In addition, families are supported by a team of professionals (Case Manager and Registered Nurse) through regular home visits, specialized training based on the Plan of Care, and phone support.
Adult Residential Services
24-Hour Support Community Group Home
Over sixty people are currently supported in 10 homes. Each home is uniquely designed in terms of staffing, layout, location, and the level of emotional and educational assistance provided. Bedrooms are chosen and decorated to the individual’s personal preferences and tastes; while the common areas such as living room, dining room and kitchen reflect the collective tastes of all the roommates. Support plans are also individualized and have ranged in focus from skill areas such as money management and health care management, to planning a dream vacation.
Independent Home Supports
There are currently twenty five individuals in the In-Home Supports Program. Communitas owns five properties in which sixteen of the individuals reside. The other nine individuals live in a subsidized rental apartment or in family provided apartments. Weekly service hours for each individual are determined by the nature of their need in conjunction with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Most individuals receive from four to fifteen hours of support each week. Some of the supports provided to promote further independence are in the areas of meal planning and preparation, money management, apartment upkeep, travel training, building social skills, managing medical appointments, home safety, and the appropriate use of technology and the internet.
Day and Recreation Programs
The Communitas website describes the day services it provides in more detail, including programs that teach life skills, provide career services, and offer support for people with autism or dementia / Alzheimer’s disease.
Day Services
Communitas has three Day Programs located in Wakefield, Burlington and Beverly. Each Program offers a wide spectrum of service models geared towards individuals with Developmental & Intellectual disabilities. Each of these three programs support participants by using a person centered approach in its day to day operations and works in creative ways to teach skills that are both meaningful to everyday living and promotes independence.
Recreation
The Recreation Department seeks to provide recreation and leisure experiences to people of all ages and abilities which:
- Promote Independence
- Build Life Skills
- Maximize Community Inclusion and Social Interaction
- Encourage Active Lifestyles; and
- Enhance Quality of Life!
| Date published: | October 17, 2019 |
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