Bittachon Care Services Learning Center

Community Engagement Service Definition

Community engagement service is designed to support and enhance an individual's ability to acquire, retain, or improve skills necessary for building positive social behaviors, interpersonal competence, greater independence, employability, and personal choices. These skills are essential for accessing typical activities and functions of community life, similar to those enjoyed by the general population. This service may include community education, training, and volunteer activities.

Objectives and Opportunities

Community engagement service offers a wide range of opportunities to facilitate and build relationships and natural supports within the community, utilizing the community as a learning environment. Activities are scheduled at naturally occurring times and take place in various natural settings, encouraging active interaction with people without disabilities, beyond those who are paid to support the individual. These activities aim to enhance community involvement and foster the development of meaningful relationships and natural supports.

Coverage

Community engagement service is covered under the Family and Individual Supports (FIS), Community Living (CL), and Building Independence (BI) waivers.

Service Provision

Community engagement services should be delivered in the least restrictive and most integrated community settings possible, according to the individual's support plan and personal choices.

Activities

Activities include, as appropriate for the individual and documented in their support plan:

• Skill Building and Education: Assisting with the acquisition and retention of skills in:
  • Participating in community activities and public events.
  • Engaging in community educational activities and events.
  • Developing therapeutic leisure activities.
  • Participating in volunteer experiences.
  • Maintaining contact with family and friends.
  • Increasing independence in daily living activities.

• Self-Direction and Community Involvement: Enabling the individual to achieve outcomes such as:
  • Developing self-advocacy skills.
  • Exercising civil rights.
  • Gaining self-control and responsibility over services and support.
  • Becoming more independent, integrated, and productive in the community.
  • Improving communication skills.
  • Pursuing spiritual and cultural activities.
  • Enhancing career planning and living skills.
  • Promoting health and wellness, including medication administration.
  • Orienting and navigating the community.
  • Utilizing public transportation effectively.
  • Interacting with community volunteers in program activities.

• Routine and Safety Supports: Providing transportation to and from community locations and resources, ensuring safety and support throughout.

Community coaching is designed to provide one-to-one support for individuals in various community settings, aiming to build specific skills and overcome barriers that hinder their participation in community engagement activities. In addition to skill building, this service includes routine and safety supports. Community coaching services are covered under the Family and Individual Supports (FIS), Community Living (CL), and Building Independence (BI) waivers.

Community coaching services are provided to individuals requiring one-to-one support to address barriers identified in their support plans, which prevent their participation in community engagement activities. These activities should be documented in the individual's support plan and tailored to their age, abilities, and personal preferences.

Allowable activities include, as appropriate for the individual and documented in their support plan:

1. One-on-One Skill Building and Coaching: Facilitating participation in community activities and opportunities such as:
   • Community activities and public events.
   • Community education, activities, and events.
   • Use of public transportation, if available and accessible.

1. Skill Building and Support: Enhancing positive behavior, relationship building, and social skills.
2. Routine Supports: Assisting with self-management, eating, and personal care needs in the community.
3. Safety Assurance: Providing one-to-one supervision to ensure the individual's safety in various community settings.
4. Health Monitoring: Monitoring the individual's health and physical condition, including support with medication and other medical needs.
5. Transportation Support: Providing routine and safety supports with transportation to and from community locations and resources.

Center-Based Day Support Definition 

Many adults with developmental disabilities, such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, or other disabilities, benefit from specialized support to achieve full community inclusion. Summit DD connects adults to a variety of day programs that offer engaging activities to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities reach their goals. Through a wide network of quality providers, individuals, including those with complex medical needs, enjoy services that complement their daily activities and offer opportunities for community inclusion.

Day Support

Individuals in center-based day programs receive specialized coaching and work on areas such as:

• Personal safety
• Vocational skills
• Independent living skills
• Positive behavioral supports
• Communication skills
• Mobility training
• Sensory development
• Gaining volunteer and paid employment

Day program staff take a hands-on approach, incorporating structured learning and fun to help individuals reach their personal goals. Staff get to know each person and assist them with their ISP. Day programs also offer participants the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities within the community.

Vocational Habilitation

Vocational Habilitation services provide individuals with the opportunity to gain vocational skills and earn a paycheck. Contract piece work allows individuals to work at their own pace, with staff support to help achieve the goals identified in their ISP.