Community Living

KETCH provides services in residential settings in the community for people with developmental
disabilities. Persons served and their team will work together to determine the level of support, supervision, training and services needed to achieve the preferred lifestyle. Staff will assist in working toward greater independence, productivity and involvement in the community.

Types of Community Living Programs:

Supported Living

• Provides support, training, activities, assistive technology and services to assist persons to live in their own home or apartment
• Services and supports based on level of need

In-Home Family Support

• Provides periods of relief and assistance to families who support an adult living in the family home
• Training and activities are based on level of need

Services and Activities

Depending on individual needs, staff may provide assistance with:

• Maintaining health and personal hygiene
• Budgeting money and paying bills
• House cleaning
• Washing clothes
• Respecting others’ privacy and space and how to get along with others
• Administering and taking medications
• Planning and shopping for meals
• Preparing and cooking meals
• Using the telephone
• How to be safe at home and in the community
• Learning about activities and opportunities in the community

Staff support

• Options include overnight asleep staff, overnight awake staff and support staff as needed
• Staff must have a high school diploma, pass background checks, and complete an initial two-week orientation, including classes such as CPR, first aid, MANDT and medication training
• Persons served will have opportunities to express the qualities they prefer in the staff who work with them

Roommates

• Individuals will be matched with roommates according to their preferences, abilities, and needs
• Roommates will share responsibility for household chores
• Persons will be encouraged to be good neighbors
• Individuals can choose to participate in social and recreational activities they prefer, such as barbecues, movies, concerts, sporting events, eating out, Special Olympics, YMCA, community events, and other community activities

Living costs

• Rent, utilities, food, transportation and other costs are paid by their source of income such as SSI, SSDI, and employment income
• The KETCH Admissions Coordinator will explain what living costs will be, based on the living arrangement chosen.

Health and Safety

• Community Living On-call support available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week
• On-call Licensed Nursing staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week
• Assistance with doctor appointments
• Nursing can meet a wide range of needs, including continual care
• Availability of a Behavior Specialist
• Monthly safety inspections of homes by staff
• Monthly fire drills, seasonal tornado drills, and other safety drills
• Some community living settings have monitored burglary and fire systems
• KETCH maintains a safety program. KETCH believes it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the safety of others.

Transportation

• KETCH transportation, the city bus or other community transportation is available for individuals to get to and from KETCH, their job, and to various community activities and events