Residential Services

1. What is Residential Services?

Residential services provide living situations adapted to meet individual needs. Adults with developmental disabilities supported through this service learn independent living skills. Individuals learn how to cook, clean, do laundry, manage their money, locate and participate in community activities and many other skills which enable them to lead more independent lives and become more active, productive members of their community.

Adults experience the responsibilities and rewards of community life. All individuals are encouraged to grow as much as possible to reach their individual goals.

2. How much does the service cost?

There is a cost for Residential Services. Rates vary according to support needs of the individual. Some of the money comes from Community Opportunities and some from the Department of Mental Health. A current cost of services is available upon request.

There are some fees for helping to find you a job. Most fees are paid by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). In some cases, Community Opportunities will pay part of the fees. A list of fees and who will pay for them will be given to you.

If have a job, you may have to pay some rent; it depends on how much money you make at your job.

• You will pay for any long distance phone calls you make.
• You will receive a bill every month telling you how much you owe.
• Bills can be paid to the Administrative Assistant at the Program Building.
• Staff can help you budget for these bills and show you how to pay them.

3. Choice, Rules & Responsibilities?

• You will have many choices, such as where you live, who you live with and things you do in the community –including with people who do not have disabilities. You can choose how to decorate your room, invite friends and family to your home, have a key to your home and lock for your bedroom if you choose
• There are rules you must follow as well, such as: You must help with chores at your home and do as much for yourself as you can & work on the goals you have set with your team. If you smoke, you can only smoke in certain areas. You must treat others in your home with respect. You must follow the rules of your lease or rental agreement.
• You will also have many responsibilities, such as: To keep everyone safe, you may be required to keep personal knives in a locked area of the house. You will be held responsible for your behavior and treat everyone with respect. If you damage something on purpose, you will have to pay for it (up to $50.00). To ensure you are safe, you have the responsibility to let staff know where you are going, with whom and when you will return.

Some houses at Community Opportunities have a few other rules. When you move in the staff helping you move will review additional rules with you.

4. What is the move-in process?

1. Your Case Manager/Service Coordinator tells us you would like to live here.
2. We get information about you from other agencies.
3. We invite you to the available home to have a meeting, meet everyone in the home, learn house rules and spend the night when possible on a trial visit.
4. After the meeting, you decide if you want to live at Community Opportunities.
5. If you want to move in, we set up a move in date.
6. We will have a meeting with you, your family or other people who are important to you and your Case Manager/Service Coordinator to decide what you would like us to help you learn –this will be part of your Individual Plan.
7. At the end of the first month, you can decide whether you want to continue living at Community Opportunities.

We will have a meeting with you, your family, managers and your Case Manager and decide what you would like us to help you learn. We will write a Person Centered Plan with goals to help you learn the things you would like to learn.

5. How do I apply for residential services?

Contact Susan Mudd, Director of Residential Services by phone at (636) 462-7695, ext. 134 or email susan@commopps.org.