Adult Services Evolve
Nostalgia time. How many of you remember eight-track car stereos, rotary dial phones, and TV's with three channels and no remote? These are just three examples of dinosaurs from the past, the result of constant changes in technology and our culture. In any business or endeavor charged with providing quality service and supports, it is imperative that the provider consistently review goals, philosophies, and procedures, and make the necessary adjustments. To not do this insures loss of customers at best and extinction at worst. The Ashland County Board of Developmental Disabilities Adult Service Program, D-R Services, is now undergoing that process of evolving to provide better service for their clients.
We are not talking about change just for the sake of change, rather it is change necessitated by changed laws, different economic conditions, and most importantly the unwavering value for providing adults with increased and improved choices for how they wish to live their life.
The D-R Services adult program for Ashland County is a traditional model that has served clients and their families for many years. The format has been successful and represented quantum improvement as clients were moved out of state institutions and back into their homes and communities. Through the years clients, their families, supporting agencies and government advanced their goals and philosophies so that true self-determination would be the driving force and standard for serving individuals with disabilities. One may wonder what is self-determination. It is just as the name implies, every individual has the right to determine what they wish their life to be.
Thorough utilization of the self-determination principle may seem rather obvious and simple. However, it does represent a huge paradigm and philosophical shift. For example, in traditional adult service programs there would be a "menu" of services and supports that would be offered to the client. The client had three choices, accept the program as presented, stay at home, or receive adult services from another provider.
These three choices do not begin to meet the standard and spirit of self-determination. The necessary standard for service to the adults now must be what the clients need and what do they want. It must be "What can we do for you?" versus "Here is what we have to offer." To many this may seem rather simple, but it is a complete change in approach and ultimately will yield new, improved programs and services for the adults.
Many of the adult clients enrolled with D-R Services participate in the Medicaid Waiver Program, which provides funding for the desired services and supports. Medicaid regulations are founded on and regulated by self-determination and the client's choice of what they want and need. Historically, D-R Services has been the only adult service provider active in Ashland County. One-stop shopping does not meet the criteria of providing true choice of services and alternatives for clients and their families.
How does this affect the adult clients and their families of Ashland County? On-going assessments of the clients will be used to determine their wants and desires, not what we can offer them. The Ashland County Board of DD and leadership at D-R Services is presently redefining their vision, goals, and practices to meet the standards of self-determination.
No one organization or agency can be everything to everybody. While D-R Services realigns to provide even better services and supports for clients, other adult service providers are being recruited and made available to the clients so that true choice of providers and services can be part of their life.
This is a historic time for caring and supporting adults with disabilities in Ashland County. Built upon the foundation of the past and the investment of present work, the future for our individuals is brighter and better as they truly choose how to live their life.