TCRC Tri-Line Newsletter - Winter 2008 - Tri-Counties Regional ...

A Perfect Match
by Athena Meisheid, Associate Director, Community Options, Inc. (COI)
Some people with developmental disabilities have never had the
opportunity to benefit from the many rewards family home life
brings. Others desire to participate in family home life again. For
the past thirteen years, Community Options, Incorporated (COI -An
Adult Family Home Agency - AFHA ) has offered unique opportunities
for adults with developmental disabilities to live in a home in their
community with a family carefully matched to meet their needs and
preferences. The culture that they are accustomed to is carefully
considered.
Estela doesn’t need medication to sleep any more. Best yet - - Estela
is often laughing and smiling! She is invited and participates in all the
Dela Vega’s large extended family events and is an integral part of the
family holidays and traditions. When Kahlia was born, Estela was there
at the hospital with all of the family. There are weddings, showers,
birthdays with piñatas, and Estela is there for it all!
Family Home Provider, Jessica says, “I don’t know how you figured out
the match, but Estela really fits with our family, she really feels like a
part of my family.”
Estela near her bed
Estela and her home life situation is just one example of many
wonderful matches that have occurred through COI. For the past
four years, Estela has lived with the Dela Vega Family in Santa Maria,
which includes Family Home Providers Jessica, Carlito, their daughter
Vanessa, and two year old granddaughter Kahlia. The Dela Vega
family became certified to provide care, supervision, and support
through COI, completing a rigorous process that includes information
gathering about their family, on-going training, background
clearances, and maintenance of their home according to COI
standards.
Estela previously lived in a care home that did not meet her cultural
preference. Although good quality care was delivered, Estela
appeared frustrated. She would sometimes cry and hit her head with
her hand to express her unhappiness. Specialized care and cultural
considerations were difficult to accommodate at this home due to
regulatory restrictions that impede the ability to customize care and
support. For example, growing up in her family home, Estela was
accustomed to sleeping on the floor and often crawled out of her bed
to do so. It was common for Estela and her family to sleep on the floor
together. At her previous care home, Estela slept in a high hospital
bed and was in danger of injury on nights when she attempted to lay
on the floor. Due to these “nocturnal behaviors”, Estela was treated
with medication to deter her from leaving the bed at night.
The previous care provider suggested that the quality of Estela’s life
may improve if she lived with a family who spoke her native tongue
and could more readily accommodate her cultural and physical living
preferences.
Through a regional center referral to COI, Estela was able to move into
a Spanish speaking home, where foods she was accustomed to were
lovingly prepared and familiar music was heard. Accommodations
and adaptations to the environment were made to meet Estela’s needs
and preferences. The Dela Vega family welcomed Estela with her own
specially made bed, one that fit her petite frame, was cozy, and had
modified legs to lower the bed. The Dela Vega family home also had
soft carpeting and padding on the floor to accommodate Estela when
she preferred to sleep there.
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Estela with Jessica Dela Vega
In addition to the Dela Vega family, Estela also receives the support
of Community Living Coordinator, Kim Burt, who helps to coordinate
medical and other supports, oversees quality assurance for the
home, and helps to provide whatever Estela needs to be successful at
home and in the community. Respite supports are also provided by
COI to the Dela Vega family. This provides a break for the Dela Vega
family and provides Estela with
opportunities to do fun activities
at home or in the community with
an additional member to her circle
of support. COI contracts with
consultants that provide practical
and technical expertise in helping
her become as independent as
possible.
Ingrid Rushing, COI President/
CEO states, “When it comes to
the process of creating a home
for ourselves and building our
circle of people we want to share
our home and personal life with,
that process is a very thoughtful,
unique, and intimate one. What
may be defined as the “comforts
Estela with Kahlia
of home” for one person will certainly be different for the next. This
is why at COI we believe that facilitating, developing, and matching
supports with one person at a time is what quality service is all about.
Thoughtful considerations, watching, listening, and collaboration are a
part of the success!”
For more information about becoming a state certified Adult Family
Home Provider or to inquire about COI’s services, please contact
Athena Meisheid at (805) 481-7329- ext. 201.