Community Living Algoma

1. History

1.1. 1950's a group of parents working out of church basements

1.2. 1954 the Sault Ste. Marie Association for the Mentally Retarded was established

1.3. 1974 the creation of The Algoma District Mental Retardation Service

1.4. April 1, 1994 CLA assumed responsibility

2. Mission Statement

2.1. Community Living Algoma supports people with intellectual disabilities. We are committed to the advancement of a community in which all people: are recognized as full citizens; achieve personal dignity; enjoy the benefits and responsibilities of independence and are supported to reach their full potential.

3. Accreditation

3.1. Community Living Algoma has been accredited twice with CQL-The Council on Quality and Leadership in 2005-2007 and 2008-2012. We continue to strive to work towards seeking accreditation for a third time!

4. Vision

4.1. Principles and Values

4.1.1. Respect and Dignity In respecting each person's individualtiy, dignity, right to privacy and to make independent choices.

4.1.2. Trust In developing trust as the foundation for all relationships.

4.1.3. Honesty and Integrity In being honest in all of our relationships and acting with integrity in all that we do.

4.1.4. Unity and Working Together In the importance of being collaborative with all our stakeholders and working together to achieve the very best for each person supported.

4.1.5. Community Inclusions In actively contribuing each day to the building of inclusive communities that are accepting of all their members.

4.1.6. Accountability In being accountable for the quality of our programs, acting professionally and caring about all of those that we support and work with.

4.1.7. Commitment In being passionately committed to supporting people to achieve inclusion, personal dignity and full citizenship.

4.2. Goals and Priorities

4.2.1. Goal #1 "That all children are nurtured within a family environment and, as a consequence, enjoy the benefits of family life."

4.2.2. Goal #2 "That people can choose to go with their neighbourhood friends to their neighbourhood schools, or other schools, where they can further their growth and development."

4.2.3. Goal #3 "That people have the opportunity to participate in a full range of social relationships of their choice."

4.2.4. Goal #4 "That, throughout their lives people can access and participate in leisure and cultural activities."

4.2.5. Goal #5 "That, as they grow, people can aspire to and have typical expectations of worthwhile career options."

4.2.6. Goal #6 "That people have access in adulthood to decent and appropriate homes which they are able to call their own."

4.2.7. Goal #7 "That people have the right to make informed choices about their lives."

4.2.8. Goal #8 "That people can retire to enjoy the lifestyle and activities of their choice."

4.2.9. oal #9 "Community Living Algoma believes be accountable to the people supported, the community, for the achievement of the outcomes identified by the people supported."

5. Child, Youth, Family Services

5.1. Child and Family Support Workers (CFSW)

5.1.1. Assess strengths and needs of the child and family

5.1.2. Provide early intervention and crisis prevention support to preserve family unity

5.1.3. Support parents to enhance self advocacy goals

5.1.4. Identify needed resources and services

5.1.5. Act as liaison/link to services

5.1.6. Evaluate current services and effectiveness

5.1.7. Assist families to develop and implement individual plans

5.1.8. Assist with transition planning for children and youth

5.1.9. Work on interagency collaborations when appropriate for resource development and advocacy

5.1.10. Provide accurate data for all funding sources when required on time and in a efficient manner

5.2. Child and Family Transition Supports provide support to children and youth with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families in the same way as a Child and Family Support Worker with a focus on the transition from elementary to secondary school programs. The Child and Family Transition Support Worker will support families in accessing Community Living Algoma and the broader community based on the child, youth and family’s needs and goals. Assistance is provided to families with skill development, planning and advocacy.

5.3. Respite is flexible funding based on the person and family's needs. The funding can be used for in home or out of home supports. Families are able to choose their own service provider to support their son or daughter as long as that person has a clear Criminal Records check including a Vulnerable Sector Screen.

5.4. Community Outreach staff supports are provided to families to maintain the child within their family home. This support varies depending on the needs of the child and their family; it is directed by the family. Community partners are engaged and funding is secured through the case resolution process.

5.5. Children’s Community Care Program provides supports to children and youth with intellectual disabilities and their families, across the District of Algoma. Currently Community Living Algoma is reviewing services in this area as our priority statement focuses on family preservation.

5.6. Planning with People and/or Family Members Adults and children and/or their family member(s) for a planning facilitator. The facilitator will work with everyone involved to develop a plan that identifies how the person/family wishes to be supported. Facilitators are trained in person centered planning and have access to a variety of resources they can use to have conversations about a person’s strengths, their dreams and what they need help with. This information is written as a plan with specific goals identified. This information is used as guide to assist the person in achieving the things that were identified as important and to help the person achieve their full potential.

6. Adult Services

6.1. Adult and Family Support Workers (AFSW) provide direct support to adults and their families in Sault Ste. Marie and throughout the Algoma District. This support is individualized and based on the person and family’s strengths, areas for development and goals. The role of an AFSW involves advocacy, coordination of services, and planning.

6.2. Community Participation Supports helps adults take part in community life through volunteering, recreation and leisure activities.

6.3. Community and Supported Employment Services support people to explore employment opportunities in the community. Support is provided to: develop employment skills; create a career plan; establish good work relationships; connect with employment service providers in the community; improve standard of living through earned income; make a valued individual contribution; and be part of a team and the community.

6.4. Respite is flexible funding based on the person and family’s needs. The funding can be used for in home or out of home supports. Families are able to choose their own service provider to support their adult son or daughter as long as that person has a clear Criminal Records check including a Vulnerable Sector Screen.

6.5. Vocational Supports are provided through staff who work alongside people in a variety of work settings while assisting people in obtaining their goals through the use of various training tools such as career assessments, on the job training and educational resources. Transition Support Workers act as liaisons between those receiving supports and the community services and organizations which best match their interests and goals. Soogoma Industries offers people the opportunity to develop and build work related skills directly related to their career and life goals.

6.6. Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a community based support offered in Sault Ste. Marie in which people supported live in an apartment either on their own or with a roommate or partner. Staff support focuses on enhancing or developing the person’s ability to live as independently as possible. Skill development can focus on budgeting, apartment maintenance, grocery shopping, social and relationship building, community networking, advocacy and rights, healthy living choices, etc.

6.7. Community Homes Program (CHP) Support is a residential support option which provides a person with the opportunity to live with a formally trained and approved family.

6.8. Group Living Supports is a residential option through which people live in homes throughout the city of Sault Ste. Marie with up to 5 other people. In-home support is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

6.9. Resource Allocation is funding available within Community Living Algoma. Adults and families complete an application for financial resources to purchase and direct their own supports and services on a time-limited basis. The funding is allocated to those whose needs are not met through all other financial resources.

7. Specialized Supports

7.1. Provides supports and services to both children and adults. Specialized supports are grounded in Positive Approaches; person-centered values; a commitment to outcomes which are meaningful from the perspective of a person’s preferred lifestyle; a reliance on individualized, functional assessment; and an appreciation of the fact that difficult behaviours result from unmet needs. Difficult behaviours are messages which can tell us important things about the person and the quality of his or her life. People with difficult behaviours are often missing.

8. Inclusive Education

8.1. “Inclusive education means that all students attend and are welcomed by their neighbourhood schools in age-appropriate, regular classes and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school.”(www.inclusiveeducation.ca)