|
 |
Shared Living
Our Services:
Shared living is a joint service of NMG and DHHS that provides living arrangements for adults in the St. John Valley and Central Aroostook County. Each shared living home provides services to adults with developmental disabilities. The objective of shared living is to provide these adults with a warm and supportive home. Shared living provides the opportunity for developmentally disabled adults to live a more independent life and become part of a community.
After assessing their strengths and challenges, shared living places adults in homes where it is most likely that their needs can be met. Considering the family structure of the shared living environment and the needs of the adult helps us ensure that we have made the best placement possible for everyone. We are committed to stopping the cycle of multiple placements that some adults have experienced.
Shared Living Providers:
Northern Maine General guides shared living providers as they develop the skills they need for the rewarding experience of welcoming an adult into their home. Training opportunities are provided in the areas of: the program and its goals, safety, adult rights, documentation, first aid, and any other training deemed appropriate for individual placements. Other training occasions are provided to continue providers’ professional development. All of these trainings are offered locally, through NMG.
Northern Maine General delivers in-home support, telephone-based assistance and guidance, and emergency crisis consultation services to our shared living providers. Northern Maine General works in a team effort with providers so that we can all make a difference in an adult’s life.
Responsibilities of a Shared Living Provider:
Shared Living Providers play an active role in the lives of the adults they serve. Shared Living Providers: provide, to the best of his/her ability, a warm and supportive environment for the adult in the home; work constructively with NMG and other professionals to implement a plan of service for the resident; be available to meet on a regular basis (bi-weekly) with program staff; attend training as required by NMG; maintain confidentiality about the adult living in his/her home; participate in planning and treatment meetings; maintain documentation as required; transport the individual to medical appointments, family visits, community events, etc.; and performs other duties and responsibilities related to caring for the residents as requested by NMG.
Residential Training:
Shared living providers help adults focus on learning skills they can use every day in the areas of independent living, social interaction, self-care, and community interaction. The process of learning, practicing, and being assisted with these skills is known as residential training. Residential training is one of the services provided in a shared living environment. Because each adult is a unique individual with unique needs, the amount and type of residential training will vary greatly from one situation to the next.
In order to assess and plan for individual needs, Northern Maine General and DHHS develop teams made up of case managers, caseworkers, medical professionals, and shared living professionals to guide the residential training process and shared living experience. Adults and shared living providers are expected to participate in the planning process and be part of the team. This team develops and maintains individualized treatment plans.
Adults’ progress is continually monitored by shared living providers, case managers, and other professionals working on their behalf. Northern Maine General provides home visits by shared living professionals who work one-on-one with providers and adults to help monitor and evaluate progress towards treatment goals. Monthly reviews and updates help keep individualized treatment plans current and effective. Treatment plans are designed to grow and change with the adult in shared living.
For more information about Personal Supports or Adult Foster Care, please contact one of the Individual Planning Coordinators at (207) 444-5152, ext. 245 or 234.
Return To Programs Page
|
