Program Service Plan – Adult Services

Linwood provides supports and services throughout the lifespan for individuals with Autism.  Our adult services program provides supported employment, day habilitation and community-based residential services for these individuals.

Supported Employment Program

With the support of staff, the participants in our supported employment program work at Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, Sears, the local landfill and recycling center, a shoe store, Linwood’s school cafeteria and as janitorial staff. In November 2006, Linwood opened a donated goods store, Good Deals Great Stuff, where a number of the adults in our program work in a supported and competitive employment arena with their non-disabled peers. For those who are unable to work competitively, Linwood’s store provides a training site and a supportive environment where skill development and positive behavioral supports are the mainstay.

Our program participants, like all individuals with disabilities, deserve the opportunity and have the right to work in an integrated environment with their non-disabled peers.  Due to the limits imposed by their disability, competitive employment is not currently an option for many of these individuals, however, we have demonstrated that by providing a structured and supportive work environment, they can engage in productive work.  Furthermore, through their participation in this program, they are developing employment skills and social skills, hence competitive and cooperative opportunities are becoming a probable reality for them in the near future.

Day Habilitation Program 

Linwood’s day habilitation program provides opportunities for individuals who have not been matched to an appropriate job or volunteer activity in the community. Activities include functional daily living skills, simulated work activities, activities addressing functional community-based skills, activities addressing self-care and personal hygiene, etc. The participants in this program access community resources on a regular basis.

Community-Based Residential Program

Linwood’s community-based residential program consists of homes (ALUs) located in Ellicott City, Columbia and Catonsville, Maryland.  Each ALU supports three individuals and has staff on site to provide support at all times.  Awake overnight services and one-to-one behavioral supports are available to individuals in need of these levels of support.  The staff assigned to these homes assist and support the individuals to develop and participate in a daily routine necessary for them to work, make use of community-based resources and develop connections outside their homes.  Each home has a van to assist with this community integration.  Interested family members are encouraged to remain a part of the individual’s life.  Visiting is encouraged inasmuch as it is something that the individual desires.  Families help shape the program as members of the team that develops and reviews the Individual Plan.  This plan becomes the blueprint of services the individual receives from Linwood.

Linwood's Mission

As a resource for these individuals and their families, we facilitate access to programs and services that enhance their well-being and promote full participation in community life.  This includes cultivating personal growth, self-advocacy, autonomy, increased public awareness and acceptance of people with developmental disabilities.

Staff Training

Staff serving as managers, team leaders and assistants receive all required DDA trainings, including the Medication Technician Training as well as trainings specific to the individuals’ disability and specific to our agency.

Fundamental Rights

In conjunction with Service Coordination, Linwood staff develops an IP for each individual.  Linwood’s service plan is driven by the outcomes in the IP.  Services such as behavioral supports, counseling, the development of a behavior plan, pharmacological therapy, etc. are provided as determined by the IP Team.  Linwood also has a Standing Committee, which includes members of the community who are not affiliated with Linwood.  The Committee’s charge is to oversee the agency’s Continuous Quality Assurance Plan, to approve behavior plans and to monitor any situations that may interfere with the fundamental rights of the individuals in the program.

Each individual in Linwood’s program shall have the same fundamental rights and protections as all other citizens under the laws and Constitution of Maryland and the United States.  These include the rights to:

 A.  The following personal freedoms:    

(1)    Have religious and cultural  beliefs respected;

(2)    Be free from abuse, neglect and mistreatment;

(3)    Have personal information kept in confidence;

(4)    Live, work and receive services in a manner that is not unnecessarily restrictive;

(5)    Have money and belongings secured;

(6)    Have access to one’s money and belongings; and

(7)    Have the opportunity to express choices and opinions.
 

B.   Have choices about the following:

(1)    Where to live and with whom;

(2)    The services one receives and from whom;

(3)    How one spends one’s time and with whom;

(4)    How menus, activities, schedules and routines are structured; and

(5)    Who advocates for the individual.

C.   Have one’s choices and opinions respected and addressed, which includes:

(1)    Being treated with courtesy, dignity and respect;

(2)    Being treated with warmth and caring;

(3)    Receiving positive recognition;

(4)    Being spoken to and treated in an age-appropriate manner; and

(5)    Living and working in places that reflect things that are valued.

D.   Experience personal growth and independence by:

(1)    Having opportunities to develop personal goals and work toward achieving those goals;

(2)    Receiving the supports to succeed where one chooses to live and work;

(3)    Receiving education, habilitation and opportunities for increased independence;

(4)    Having access to technology to assist in living and learning;

(5)    Having the opportunity to manage one’s own affairs, including one’s financial affairs to the extent possible; and

(6)    Having the opportunity to participate in individual activities.

E.    Have the opportunity to form relationships by:

(1)   Having the opportunity to develop and maintain meaningful ties to other people;

(2)   Having relationships encouraged and supported;

(3)   Having the opportunity to be connected to family and friends; and

(4)   Having the opportunity for intimacy.

F.    Have community membership and social inclusion by:

(1)    Having the opportunity to be involved in and contribute to the community;

(2)    Having the opportunity to participate in community activities of one’s choice;

(3)    Having the opportunity to use the same resources as other people; and

(4)    Having regular access to recreation and leisure time activities with others.

Top of Page