Community Supports
Good Neighbors defines community as a set of ties and relationships with norms and social roles. For each person there is not one “community” that exists “out there”. Most of us belong to many communities. A “community” can be defined as [the people with whom we are connected]. For example, household community, coffee shop community, classroom community; in each of these places there are sets of ties and relationships that have norms and social roles attached.
“One of the most important goals you can strive for in your job, home or community is to develop relationships with people, meet their needs, and help them develop respect for themselves and others.” (David Mandt and Assoc. 2002). Relationships among and between DSPs and people receiving services are based on principles in which people are encouraged to participate in decisions about their lives. The individuals we serve receive training and support to empower decision making, self-management and responsibility in their life “communities”.
Our program individualizes supports by setting community goals with the individual and their team. An individual program schedule (weekly/monthly) is established to promote consistency and predictability for everyone involved. (Consistency and predictability are principles involved in building healthy relationships where people trust one another). Good Neighbors is committed to continuous improvement and the Person Centered Planning process is used to receive feedback in regards to the effectiveness of supports. Amendments are made to program schedules as needed after consulting with the individual and team members.
Good Neighbors Community Support program has a primary focus of consistent, shared activity with community members. It is the job of the DSP’s assigned to find ways in which the person learns/makes decisions best and work with their team to develop a plan that is tailored toward their needs. Everyone has a different learning style and set of needs/wants. We approach each situation differently while using experience and training in our field as a foundation for supports. The overall goal is for the individual to develop community connections outside of people who are paid to be with them. The individual participates in decisions about whom they would like to associate with while the DSP supports the relationship.
It is important to mention that Individualized Community Support is ever changing due to the changing nature of the needs/wants of people. Whatever goal a person may have for him/herself will be supported with input of the team in a systematic, measurable way so that effectiveness and success can be determined and celebrated.
Melissa Hunt; Community Resource Administrator
