Independent Living Program

OUTREACH Community Living Services, Inc. provides community support (case management) and supported living services to persons with a mental health diagnosis, mental retardation or to the socially impaired living in the Wayne/Holmes county area.  For persons who are dually diagnosed, OUTREACH Community Living Services, Inc. works closely in conjunction with The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties and the Boards of MRDD for both Holmes and Wayne Counties to ensure that appropriate services are rendered.  Referrals for services are received from various community agencies, family and other interested parties.  Admission criteria include the following:

1. Age 18 or older;
2. Resident of Wayne or Holmes County;
3. Own guardian, or agreement with guardian to participate in services;
4. Documentation of disability;
5. Behavior or actions which do not pose a threat to others or self;
6. Willingness to provide information which will allow appropriate service delivery;
7. Willingness to actively participate in development of an Individual Services Plan (ISP)

The hours of service delivery are designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of the person served.  OUTREACH Community Living Services, Inc. ensures that after-hours contact is made available to the person served through service providers and other community resources for emergency needs.

Independent Living Program’s community support and supported living services promote the highest level of independence appropriate to each person.  Upon completion of an intake interview and assessment, an Individual Service Plan (ISP) is developed with the active participation of the person.  Linkage to other OUTREACH Community Living Services, Inc. programs as well as referral to other community resources are made as needed.  Skill development and skill monitoring is offered in the areas requested by the person.  Rental assistance may be provided to persons meeting Housing Assistance Program requirements.  At the person’s request OUTREACH Community Living Services, Inc. may be appointed the representative payee for the person’s income. Staff members also provide advocacy and assistance to the person in medical, legal, financial, housing, transportation, benefit maintenance and other community living areas, as identified in the ISP.  ISPs are written and reviewed in accordance with the state of Ohio Medicaid standards.  The person is an active participant in the achievement of the goals and objectives identified on the ISP.

Persons served in the Independent Living Program are identified as having a disability, primarily as a result of a long-term mental illness or mental retardation.  Staff members assigned to this program, and who provide the community support and supported living services, have training and experience in working with persons with disabilities.  Accommodations are made for physical disabilities, such as hearing impairment, mobility impairment, speech difficulties, and vision impairments.