Supports and Services provided by FCS, Inc.

 

    Services provided include traditional community-based residential homes, individual supported living services, and case management.  These services are designed to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities who have made the choice to live as independently as possible in community-based, single family homes, apartments, the family’s home or the individual’s home.  Individualized programs are geared to assist our consumers in achieving and maintaining their maximum level of independence at home, school, work, and in their community.

 

Traditional community-based residential homes:

 

    Currently, we provide traditional residential services for 33 individuals.  We own all 11 of the homes that we operate.  These community-based homes are called Alternative Living Units (ALU), which simply means that 3 or fewer individuals reside in the home together.  These homes are staffed with a full-time, live-in manager, a live-in weekend relief person and additional support staff during the week and weekend.  Each home’s staffing pattern is set up individually to meet the needs of each person living in the home.

    FCS, Inc. provides and assures individual assistance and supervision for each individual based on his/her needs, wants and desires.  FCS, Inc. provides support and assistance to individuals in establishing their home and assuring the safety of the home.  Staff encourage and support individuals in meeting their nutritional, medical, household management, and personal care needs with the greatest degree of independence and choice.  Staff actively protect individuals’ rights and promote self-advocacy.  Staff attend to individuals’ emotional needs by encouraging positive relationships with housemates, family members, neighbors and friends.  Staff also provide daily support, as needed, to individuals under both routine and crisis circumstances.  FCS, Inc. is also dedicated to assisting individuals in planning social, recreational and leisure activities, and promoting community participation.  FCS, Inc. provides transportation to all medical appointments and recreational/leisure activities.

 

Individualized Supported Living Services

 

    FCS, Inc. offers individualized supported living services to families and individuals that need and choose them.  These services are based on the needs, abilities and desires of each person.  We recognize that most people do not fit into a traditional service model, but would like assistance designed to meet their specific needs.  FCS, Inc. is committed to providing these individualized services in a place that is most desirable and beneficial to that person, whether it is an apartment, the family’s home or the individual’s home.  FCS, Inc. is also committed to the flexibility and creativeness of all persons to achieve independence.  All services are designed to assist individuals to become happy, active, independent and participating members of their community.

 

Integration Activities/Community Connections

 

    FCS, Inc. is dedicated to finding out the preferences of individuals when it comes to community integration, recreation and leisure activities.  FCS, Inc. is also dedicated to offering individuals new experiences to better enable them to make choices in their lives.

 Many of the individuals we serve enjoy going out to local restaurants for dinner as well as entertainment.  Listening to local musicians and Karaoke night are favorites. 

 Some individuals have also joined the local YMCA.  There they enjoy swimming and working out on the various exercise equipment provided.  Each individual that joins is entitled to a scholarship membership, which only costs $50.00 for a year.

    Some individuals attend Adult Education programs in the evenings where they work on reading, writing, and computer skills.  Each individual experiences a sense of pride, accomplishment, acceptance, and a desire to learn more by attending these adult educational programs.

    Some individuals are members of a local self-advocacy group, which is lead and run by people with developmental disabilities.  The group has raised money through fund raising and attends other Maryland sponsored self-advocacy meetings and conferences.  The self-advocacy group meets one evening a month.  The group enjoys eating dinner together and socializing first, and then they get down to business.  They encourage and discuss how to advocate for themselves and get the things they need  and desire.  They also discuss ways to become more active and participating members of their community.

    Many individuals are members of community churches where they are active members.  Some are members of their church choirs.

    Some individuals have formed their own bowling league.  It is a time to get together, enjoy a game of bowling and socialize.

    Almost all individuals take an annual vacation.  Some of the vacation hot spots have been Walt Disney World, the beaches of North Carolina, Rehobeth beach, Ocean City and Deep Creek Lake.