Residential

Area Residential Care provides services to people with disabilities in a number of different residential settings including agency-owned and/or operated homes and apartments; and private apartments and homes. Services in private apartments and homes may be in residences rented or owned by consumers, independent of the agency, or in parental/family homes/apartments, in the event that a consumer resides with a family member. Services provided may be from 24-hour around the clock supervision and training to more intermittent support based on a specific need of the individual requesting the service.

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS

The goal of the Residential Services Department is to assist individuals with disabilities to become more independent in activities of daily living. The department works with each consumer to develop individualized life plans that outline personal goals and needs. These life plans are developed and reviewed annually with a person-centered team consisting of the individual served, parents/guardians, Individual Program Coordinators (IPC’s), case managers, and other agency staff as appropriate. Each team develops plans to ensure that the consumer’s goals and needs are being met.

The department has several community living homes throughout the city of Dubuque that have five or six residents in them. These homes are governed by the Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) licensed Residential Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (RCF/ID). The department also has more independent options available through its Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) homes. Single-level homes are available to meet accessibility needs. When necessary, the agency will also assist in finding the appropriate community resources to provide medical or other professional services as necessary.

Staff members provide training and assistance in food preparation, laundry, personal care, shopping, budgeting, safety, personal rights, and other daily living skills. In addition, each home is staffed by support professionals who have been trained and certified to distribute medications. All consumers are encouraged and assisted to actively participate in their homes, communities, and any other activities of interest.

Residential Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

(RCF/ID)

apartment

living

The Residential Department also provides services in consumers’ homes throughout the Dubuque area. This program is able to provide flexibility for each unique situation depending upon the level of support each consumer needs.

The trained professional staff offers instruction to consumers on a variety of topics, including cleaning, cooking, personal hygiene, shopping, budgeting, community integration, and other daily living skills. The amount of staff supervision can vary depending upon the needs of the individual. The department works with every consumer to develop individualized life plans that outline personal goals and needs. These life plans are developed annually with a team consisting of the individual served, their parents and/or guardians, the case manager, and other agency staff as appropriate. Each team outlines plans and programs to ensure that the consumer’s goals and needs are being met.

The department also offers services in agency-owned apartment buildings that are conveniently located with easy access to transportation, grocery stores, and other shopping centers. All agency-owned buildings are secure and safe.

Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

(ICF/ID)

The ICF/ID (Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) department provides both residential and vocational services for people who require the highest level of training and/or assistance in basic living skills and/or behavior management that is offered by the agency. Staffing assistance is provided in residential homes and sheltered or community-based work settings. The department works with each consumer to develop individualized life plans that outline personal goals and wants. Each consumer’s team then meets regularly in order to ensure those goals are being met.

On the residential front, there are currently three eight-bed homes available that are integrated into neighborhoods throughout Dubuque. The agency’s ICF/ID homes have staff ratios of 1:2 or 1:3 during the consumers’ most active portion of the day. Each ICF/ID home also has overnight, awake staff members seven days a week.

During the day, the ICF/ID program offers vocational opportunities primarily out of the agency’s main building in Dubuque. In that setting, consumers are provided opportunities to work on small parts assembly and various other jobs. Community-based vocational training is also available for those consumers who are interested and willing.

In order to provide the best possible service, the ICF/ID department also provides multiple support services. Nursing services and therapy services are available on-site. Other support services offered on-site include recreation, behavior intervention, and dietary.

Finally, the ICF/ID program also provides services in the following areas through contracts with outside vendors:

Psychiatric
Psychological
Dietary

Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy

residential