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provides a contact point for admission, information about agency programs and services and referral
Eligibility requirements:
Type of Disability
- individuals must have a Developmental Disability (defined as a condition occurring before the age of 22 that includes mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and neurological impairments) to receive the following services:Individuals with developmental disabilities as well as learning disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, physical impairments or other types of disabilities are eligible to receive vocational services.
Age
- Individuals over the age of 18 who meet specific program requirements are eligible for all services provided by the agency. Individuals under the age of 18 who meet specific program requirements are eligible for case management, service coordination, early intervention and recreation.If Opportunities Unlimited is not able to address the needs of the consumer, we will make referral to another human service agency that can.
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Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara's case management services are provided by program
specialists at three day program sites: Niagara Falls, Lockport and Wheatfield. The
purpose of program specialists is to address the every day needs of individuals attending
the agency's day services center or who are receiving services in a sheltered employment
setting and do not have a Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC).
Although some services are similar to that of an MSC, the program specialist's
responsibilities are specific to the day program. These include:
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COORDINATED SERVICES
Providing choices to individuals with disabilities is Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara's
philosophy. Coordinated Services is an innovative way of giving consumers the freedom to
choose what they want and need.
GOAL OF COORDINATED SERVICES
To create service environments for people focusing on:
THE GOVERNING PRINCIPLES OF COORDINATED SERVICES
THE BASIC SKILLS OF A SERVICE COORDINATOR
The purpose of a Service Coordinator is to provide effective management of care in
accordance with the consumer's Individual Service Plan (ISP).
ROLE OF THE MEDICAID SERVICE COORDINATOR
The service Coordinator works for the individual and in partnership with the person in
order to develop an Individualized Service Environment (ISE) consistent with their
personal goals, preferences and desired activities.
This process results in the development of an Individual Service Plan (ISP), which serves
as an outline of the services and supports either needed or desired by the person to meet
their specific needs or that will assist them in achieving their personal life goals. The
aim of the ISP is to ensure that a person receives as many supports or services as
possible, consistent with their valued outcomes as identified in the plan.
Specific services and supports provided by the Service Coordinator range from assistance
with financial matters, arranging respite, securing leisure and recreational activities,
identifying environmental modifications and adaptive equipment if necessary, housing
issues and providing in-home services, etc.
Enabling individuals to make their own choices promotes change, growth and the ability to
meet new challenges every day.
Advocating
The Medicaid Service Coordinator serves as an advocate who assists the individual with
informed decision making which impacts the quality of the individual's life. The Medicaid
Service Coordinator provides an "arms length" relationship with all providers
who deliver services in order to avoid any conflict of interest. Their primary role is to
promote self-advocacy whenever possible, and advocate in the event that the individual is
unable to do so themselves.
Linkage and Referral
Process of assisting the individual/advocate to identify and access specific services
appropriate to the persons needs and interests, as well as, completing/providing any
necessary paperwork to ensure that services are obtained.
Follow-up and Monitoring
Actions taken to oversee an individual's participation in the needed/desired services,
support, activities and benefits as identified in the ISP. The Service Coordinator ensures
that services are delivered as requested by the individual, in accordance with the ISP.
ELIGIBILITY
MSC
Waiver
Same criteria as listed above with the addition of ICF/MR level of care eligibility
determination.
SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PLAN
Residential Habilitation
Services that are habilitative in nature, relating to activities of daily living such as
personal grooming and cleanliness, bed making and household chores, preparation of food
and social skills to enable the individual to live in his or her own home, family's home,
a family care home or an Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA).
Day Habilitation
Day Habilitation services may stand alone with no connection to pre-vocational and
supported employment services. In other instances, Day Habilitation serves as a transition
to and/or enhances pre-vocational and supported employment supports. Day Habilitation
services may include mobility training; training and assistance in developing appropriate
social behaviors, communication skills, basic safety skills, personal care skills, health
care skills, money management skills, and transportation specific to participation in
community activities or programming integral to the person's day habilitation service
plan.
Respite
A service designed to provide temporary relief to primary care giver of an
individual with a developmental disability.
Environmental Modifications
Changes made to the home environment necessary to ensure the health, welfare and safety of
an individual and to allow maximum independence.
Adaptive Technologies
Devices, aides, controls, appliances or supplies of either a communication or adaptive
type that are necessary to allow a person to live at home.
Pre-Vocational
Services that assist individuals who are interested in joining the "world of
work."
Supported Employment
Services that assist individuals in finding and keeping employment which is meaningful to
them in the community.
State Plan Services
Services that assist individuals with maintaining their health and well being; and
transportation services.
MEDICAID SERVICE COORDINATORS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE
RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO WAIVER SERVICES
Ensure that the person's fire safety needs are addressed as stated in the ISP. If a
person lives in an IRA, the Service Coordinator ensures the assessment of that person's
fire safety needs at least annually. The fire safety needs of people living in their own
homes should be reviewed and discussed, but an assessment is not required.
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provides individualized day programming designed for adults with severe or multiple developmental disabilities and health-related needs
Services offered include:
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addresses the clinical habilitative and rehabilitative needs of individuals with
developmental disabilities who participate in day habilitation and vocational programming
at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara
The following specialty services are
available:
-social work - assists with personal,
interpersonal, domestic and environmental challenges
-psychology - assessment, screening,
evaluation, counseling and behavioral services
-physical therapy - functional mobility
training; assistive device training to consumers & families
-occupational therapy – evaluates upper
extremity/hand function, visual perceptual skills, ergonomics, adaptive equipment,
splint fabrication, wheelchair clinic, evaluations,
repairs & seating solutions. Also evaluates and assists in ADL functioning. Evaluate
and develop strategies to assist with sensory integrative dysfunction, sensory and tactile
defensiveness.
-speech/language pathology - assesses and
improves expressive and receptive communication skills, assesses for
feeding/swallowing problems as well as use of assistive technology devices
-medical/nursing - provides screening and
monitoring of chronic conditions and vital signs; administers medications and Mantoux
tests; provides health-related information
-nutrition - assessment, screening, intake
evaluations, menu planning, counseling for weight control
-rehabilitation counseling - addresses career
exploration and counseling, job skill development, interview and resume preparation, work
environment evaluation, workplace social skills, financial management and assistive
technology services to maximize an individual's vocational preparation
-psychiatry - addresses mental, emotional or
behavioral disorders with appropriate
Our staff of licensed professionals
specializes in providing services to people with developmental disabilities under the
direction of a board certified medical director.
(evening & weekend hours available on request)
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Residential Services
Strives to provide a home-like environment for nearly 200 individuals with developmental disabilities while promoting growth and independence in daily living skills and social interaction. An emphasis is placed on consumer choice and integration into the community, consistent with individual abilities and interests. There are many options offered across Niagara County that provide varying degrees of supervision and support to the residents. Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara is the fourth largest provider of residential services for individuals with disabilities in Western New York.
A variety of options and supports are available that include:
Supportive Individual Residential Alternatives offer individuals who are ready for new levels of independence and achievement a supportive living environment with minimum staff support and supervision. Services are geared toward developing independent living skills while living in their own apartment.
Supervised Individual Residential Alternatives provide 24-hour staff supervision and utilize person-centered planning to establish services consistent with the protective oversight needs of each individual, while maximizing the pursuit of individual goals and quality of life for each person. These residences typically house fewer individuals than Intermediate Care Facilities.
Intermediate Care Facilities offer the most intensive and highly supervised residential setting for individuals with extensive needs. Programming is based upon professionally developed activities, experiences or therapies (i.e., nursing, nutrition, recreation, social work, psychology and self-care) appropriate to individual needs.
Family Care Homes allow individuals an opportunity to live within a family setting in the community. The family care provider in conjunction with agency staff provides supervision and training.
In-home Residential Habilitation Services provide support to individuals in their own home using a person-centered approach to assist individuals in achieving meaningful life goals.
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assists individuals in achieving their vocational outcomes, including vocational assessment, job preparation and skills training, resume' writing, personal hygiene and work habits and attitudes
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provides a variety of work training, placement and employment support to individuals with disabilities
The activities offered increase independence, productivity and integration of people with disabilities in a work setting and prepare them for potential employment in the community.
Training options include:
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(click on any option above, to find out how your business can take advantage of quality services & products)
Program options include:
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provides assistance to families with a family member who is disabled or to individuals with disabilities who live on their own
Services include:
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offers social and physically oriented community-based activities for youth and adults designed to promote community inclusion and the opportunitiey to make new friends
Opportunities include:
Eligibility for individuals who:
reside in Niagara or Orleans Counties, or
the neighboring communities of Grand Island, Tonawanda, Kenmore or West Amherst
live with a family member
possess a developmental disability
have a “notification of Decision”
(I.Q. under 69)
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provides a partnership with students, parents, teachers and school districts which will enhance a student's success as they leave school and enter a career or the adult service system
S.T.E.P.S can provide assistance to your students through:
S.T.E.P.S. offers the following supports to school personnel and administrators:
Taking S.T.E.P.S. Toward Success After Graduation
Program: The School Transition and Employment Program for Success (S.T.E.P.S)
Services Offered: The program provides a partnership with students, parents, teachers and school districts. Services Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara offers through this program include: rehabilitation counseling, transition exposures, shadowing program, shadowing through volunteerism, tours of supported employment sites, functional on-site assessment, parent and teacher training and assistance as well as written reports. For more details, please see enclosed brochure.
Brief History: The program was developed by agency personnel. A committee was formed to focus on developing a solid relationship between schools and the agency in order to transition individuals with disabilities out of school and into the workforce. Outreach efforts have been targeted to special education teachers and coordinators as well as students' families. The goal is to educate these individuals on the services Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara provides once the student enters the adult service system.
Area School District Involvement:
Many parents are unsure of what services are available for their children upon graduation. The S.T.E.P.S. Program creates a link to these services putting a parents mind at ease. If eligible for the program, the special education student has options such as supportive services, recreational opportunities, clinical services and residential placement that are available through the agency. The S.T.E.P.S. Program has assisted many students in smoothly transitioning to the adult service system. The transition exposures students receive has given many individuals the needed training and work skills to be successful in a job after graduation with support from Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara.
Are you a student with special needs or parent of a student with a disability? Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara's School Transition and Employment Program for Success (S.T.E.P.S.) provides comprehensive training to students with disabilities. In partnership with local school districts, special education students can make a smooth transition into the workforce and the community. Call Pete Drew at (716) 297-6400 for more information.
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CopyrightŪ Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara 1999
Last modified 07/26/07