Residential Services
In 1978 Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau, (CGSHB), established its first residential program for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The initial program was located on West 43rd Street in Manhattan and was the first in a far reaching network of residential sites that would be developed by our agency. CGSHB worked in partnership with the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, (OMRDD), to develop additional residential programs that would meet the varied and complicated needs of individuals with a diagnosis of mental retardation.
The goal of community residential development during the 1970’s through the mid 1980’s was focused on the downsizing of institutions as we were in the aftermath of the Willowbrook expose. The individuals being placed into our residential programs were coming from the various institutions located throughout the five boroughs as well as other locations within the state. Through this initiative CGSHB opened additional programs in Manhattan, expanded into the Bronx and Staten Island. In 1980, at the request of OMRDD, we began the development of residential programs in the eastern section of Suffolk County, Long Island. CGSHB maintained its commitment to develop quality residential programs to meet the diverse needs of persons with mental retardation, intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through our partnership with OMRDD, and the implementation of NYS-CARES, today CGSHB's residential network is comprised of twenty-nine certified residential sites that are located in Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Queens and eastern Suffolk County.
The Agency’s MR/DD program currently operates ten Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) and nineteen Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRA), serving a total of one hundred and seventy-six consumers. In addition, we operate a respite program in Manhattan that serves two individuals each week, it is open on weekends and seven days a week during the school and summer vacations.
The spectrum of disabilities presented by the consumers we serve has become more extensive. We presently serve persons with autism, Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and consumers with secondary psychiatric diagnosis that include schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, bi-polar disorder to note a few. CGSHB operates several specialty residences that has a distinct focus on services for those with special needs and includes: consumers who are deaf or hearing impaired, blind and significantly visually impaired, non-ambulatory and geriatric services. More detailed information can be found on this website under separate headings for the specific disability.
At each of our program sites, in addition to providing residential care, the operating standard of CGSHB is to develop individual treatment service plans for each consumer, in concert with support services that are available in the community. Utilizing a coordinated and individualized approach for each consumer, the staff encourage developmentally appropriate relationships and relevant activities to enhance each person’s self esteem and quality of life. Residential experiences are integrated with educational, medical, social, psychological and habilitative services. Each individual’s Individual Program Plan (IPP) in overseen by a treatment team that is comprised of Applied Behavior Science Specialists (ABSS), Medicaid Service Coordinators (MSC), Qualified Mental Retardation Professionals (QMRP), Registered Nurses (RN) and Residential Managers. They continually evaluate each person’s progress and measure that progress within the person’s individualized treatment plan and developmental goals. Parents, guardians, and advocates are encouraged to actively participate in each person’s habilitative process. Each individual’s treatment plan is documenting in an annual Comprehensive Functional Assessment (CFA) or Individualized Service Plan (ISP) depending upon the program type.
The plan of care developed for each consumer does not only focus on providing services that address their disabilities but also promotes their continued development, ability to independently function and preparation for future goals and objectives. The treatment plans is sensitive to the needs of each consumer and include quality services addressing their needs related to the level of disability, psychiatric condition and medical diagnosis.
CGSHB has a strong history of employing the guiding principles of person centered planning. We involve the consumers, family members and/or advocates in the planning process for all of our residential programs. We have developed strong community resources and community relationships that serve to enhance the delivery of services to the consumers throughout our programs. In addition, CGSHB has strong Policy and Procedures in place that serve to provide direction and structure to the residential programs. In addition, CGSHB has very strong and active Incident Review and Human Rights Committees that diligently monitor and track consumer services, the presence of appropriate safeguards and the preservation of each individual’s rights.
Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau has developed an extensive Quality Assurance and Improvement Program. As a coordinated team, the residential staff, administrative personnel and the Quality Assurance Unit monitor each residential program site’s compliance with regulatory and agency standards. Programs are regularly inspected and evaluated in the areas of active treatment, residential habilitation, consumer rights, incident reporting and review, medical treatment and follow-up, personal allowance, community inclusion, fire safety and maintenance.
In addition to our ongoing Quality Assurance and Improvement efforts, the agency utilizes a Consumer Satisfaction Survey to gauge the quality of the services provided. On an annual basis, each consumer and, where appropriate, each family member or advocate will be requested to anonymously complete the survey. The staff of the Quality Assurance Unit are responsible for distributing, receiving and tabulating the results of the surveys. The results are summarized in a report provided to the program’s administration and is used to further build upon strengths and address areas of concern.
CGSHB has a solid administrative foundation that is committed to the delivery of quality services to persons with mental retardation, intellectual and developmental disabilities and is prepared to expand our service delivery system through the development of additional residential programs.
Geriatric Services
CGSHB has taken the initiative to plan for and provide services to our aging population. Thanks to the development of community residential programs and the elimination of institutional care, the life expectancy of persons with mental retardation, intellectual and developmental disabilities has significantly increased. The improved level of medical services, nutrition and other supportive care combined with the therapeutic and social benefits of residential programs such as those operated by CGSHB has enhanced the quality of life of individuals with disabilities.
With the life span of individuals mirroring that of the population in general, we are now faced with addressing the health and safety issues of an aging population. To that end, CGSHB is committed to be life long planners for the individuals in our care as well as to develop new programs for persons in need. We recognize the importance of allowing individuals to age in place, getting old should not be a reason for having to be uprooted from your home.
At the present time our residential network has two specialty programs for geriatric / aged individuals. One residence is located at 46 Dresden Place in Staten Island, N.Y. The second is located at 166 Jennings Avenue in Patchogue, N.Y. Both of these programs are ranch styled houses that we have transformed into barrier free environments. The physical layout has been modified to provide maximum benefit to the consumers to promote their continued independence, maintaining of skills and ensuring their safety. In addition to these two programs, we have completed environmental modifications at some of our other residential sites that will allow individuals to age in place and maintain their dignity.
The staff of CGSHB receives specialized training that prepares them to meet the changing and often complicated needs of this population. The medical care and treatment of individuals is directly overseen by Registered Nurses who are assigned to each residential site. The RN’s are trained and supervised by our staff Health Care Coordinators who work under the direction and supervision of the Director of Health Care Administration CGSHB has established and maintained excellent working relationships with medical providers within the community who are skilled in diagnostic and treatment of geriatric conditions.
Services for Dual Diagnosed Consumers
The challenges presented by individuals with a secondary psychiatric
diagnosis can be rather complicated. The condition is often manifested in the form of severe acting out behavior that can take the form of aggressiveness or self injury. In order to effectively provide treatment to individuals a residential setting must attain a balance of providing individualized behavior intervention, a structured but nurturing environment and comprehensive psychiatric services that includes medication therapy and monitoring.
CGSHB has developed four specialized residential programs located in Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island that provide specialized services to consumers with a dual diagnosis. Each program has an enhanced staffing pattern to meet the needs of the individuals. The staff receive specialized training in behavior modification, are certified in Strategies of Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP) which teaches them ways to intervene and diffuse situations before they escalate. The staff also receive special training and certification in medication administration (AMAP) and are familiar with the psychiatric medications prescribed, including their indications, desired effects and side effects.
Each individual’s Individual Program Plan (IPP) in overseen by a treatment team that is comprised of Applied Behavior Science Specialist (ABSS), Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC), Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP), Registered Nurse (RN) and Residential Manager. They continually evaluate each person’s progress and measure that progress within the person’s individualized treatment plan and developmental goals. Each individual’s treatment plan is documenting in an annual Comprehensive Functional Assessment (CFA) or Individualized Service Plan (ISP) depending upon the program type. Our medical staff has formed working agreements with local area hospitals and clinics to meet the psychiatric and health needs of the consumers.
Services for the Blind and Deaf
The network of residential facilities operated by CGSHB includes programs that provide services to individuals who are deaf / hearing impaired and those who are blind or significantly visually impaired. It is not uncommon for individuals with a developmental disability to also have a hearing or vision impairment. Throughout our residential programs we provide services to individuals who are legally blind or hearing impaired. These individuals have been trained to use hearing aids or other forms of adaptive equipment. Wherever necessary, the physical environment is modified to assist the individual’s ability to function safely and independently within the residential unit. This includes the installation of hand rails, specialized equipment such as bed vibrators and strobe lights to ensure one’s ability to respond and evacuate the residence in an emergency situation. The staff of these residences also receives specialized training to ensure their ability to provide a full range of habilitative services.
For individuals that have more pronounced hearing and vision impairments, CGSHB has established specialized programs. CGSHB operates a residential program at 2518 Davidson Avenue in the Bronx for six women who are deaf. This residence underwent significant renovation in order to create an environment that will meet their needs. All staff of this program receives comprehensive training in American Sign Language (ASL) and are able to readily communicate with the individuals. Furthermore, CGSHB has arranged for translator services to be available to the individuals during medical and clinic appointments so that they can communicate with the providers and receive the maximum benefit from the services.
CGSHB also operates a specialized residential program for seven individuals who are blind. The program is located at 135 West 23rd Street, N.Y.N.Y. in the Associated Building for the Blind. This residential apartment building is specially designed to meet the needs of the blind population. The apartment series operated by CGSHB is barrier free to promote the safety and independence of the individuals. The staff have received specialized training to prepare them to meet the needs of the population and to enhance their ability to promote the individual’s independence. Our medical staff has formed working agreements with local area hospitals and clinics to meet the visual and health needs of the consumers.
Services for the Non Ambulatory
It can be especially difficult to access services for persons with a developmental disability who also rely on a wheelchair or require braces, crutches, walkers or other adaptive devices to maneuver their environment. Within CGSHB’s residential network are several residential programs that have been designed to meet the very special needs of this group of individuals. We have developed two apartment settings in the Bronx, a residential home in the Bronx, two apartment settings in Manhattan, a residential home in Patchogue Long Island and have added an addition to a home in Hampton Bays Long Island that are barrier free and specially designed to meet the needs of a non ambulatory group of individuals.
The physical layout of these homes were designed or modified to provide maximum benefit to the consumers to promote their continued independence, maintaining of skills and ensuring their safety. The homes have fully accessible bathrooms, wider hallways and doorways that can accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. The staff of CGSHB receives specialized training that prepares them to meet the changing and often complicated needs of this population. The medical care and treatment of individuals is directly overseen by Registered Nurses who are assigned to each residential site. The RN’s are trained and supervised by our staff Health Care Coordinators who work under the direction and supervision of the Director of Health Care Administration CGSHB has established and maintained excellent working relationships with medical providers within the community with a specific focus on physical and occupational therapies.
The staff of CGSHB has worked diligently to ensure that these individuals are not held back or their experiences limited by the perceived nature of their disability. We are very proud of the achievements that our individuals have reached. Who would have thought that individuals with severe cerebral palsy, confined to a wheelchair could thrive and enjoy a cruise to the Caribbean? Our staff did, the consumers did and they did! Even more gratifying was the way the individuals were embraced and accepted by those who shared the cruise experience with them. A wheelchair is not a handicap but rather a vehicle to independence.