DIVERSIFIED HUMAN SERVICES, INC.
A. Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program
Introduction
The Diversified Human Services Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program provides comprehensive services to Mon Valley residents. The days and hours of operation are: Monday, and Thursday, 8:30 A.M. until 9:00 P.M.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Emergency services are available seven days a week, 24 hours per day.
The goal of the program is to continue to provide quality services in an efficient manner to the citizens of the Mon Valley area in order to assist in maximizing their potential for productive lives. In the current atmosphere of cost containment, the MH/MR Program has managed to maintain its basic services and has continued expansion in other areas. The program's main focus is on the family, and community support for the services being offered is elicited whenever possible.
1. Base Service Unit
All persons residing in Washington-Greene and Fayette Counties requesting services from any of the MH/MR Programs are admitted through the Base Service Unit (BSU), also known as the Client Management Division. (Westmoreland County residents are admitted upon referral from the Westmoreland County Base Service Unit.) All possible entry points from which the individual can be channeled into the appropriate treatment environment are monitored by the BSU. Therefore, one of the prime responsibilities of this Division is the pathway of clients into and through the system. The BSU is designed to assure that program services are easily accessible and to ensure that the diagnostic assessments fundamental to the effectiveness of treatment are completed. Specifically, the functions of the BSU are as follows:
(a) To assess every request for service as to its appropriateness and priority for intervention.
(b) To provide an intake study.
(c) To develop a comprehensive treatment program for persons determined to be in need of service. (d) To provide psychiatric evaluations and psychological testing if recommended in the treatment plan.
(e) To provide 24-hour mental health emergency services.
(f) To coordinate the continuity of care for each patient and the services he/she receives.
(g) To provide case management, counseling and referral services for developmentally disabled clients.
(h) To provide service management and intensive case management services to mental health clients.
(i) To maintain liaisons with other facilities such as the criminal-justice system and state/local hospitals.
2. Intensive Case Management
Adult clients who are determined to be seriously mentally ill and children who are assessed as being seriously emotionally disturbed are eligible for intensive case management services, which are designed to assist in improving the level of functioning of these chronic populations. The focus is to develop independence, vocational/educational participation, increase social supports and reduce hospitalization. Services are provided primarily in the community setting.
3. The Outpatient Division
The treatment plan developed in the Base Service Unit, through the use of evaluative tools, may suggest a need for psychotherapeutic services which can be provided in the Outpatient Division. The Outpatient Division is divided into two distinct units; one which serves children, adolescents and families; and a second which serves adult clients. The Outpatient Division has a primary family therapy orientation and offers various treatment modalities which are used to assist clients in reaching their goals. These might include individual, marital, group and family therapy, as well as chemotherapy (medication) and expressive therapies, which are used particularly with children.
All treatment in the Outpatient Division is coordinated by clinical supervisors, who report to the MH/MR Services Director.
4. Student Assistance Program
Two staff are assigned to work with five school districts to provide consultation and evaluation services. The thrust of this program is to assist faculty and other personnel in the middle and high schools to recognize students who may be having mental health or substance abuse problems. The S.A.P. consultant completes an assessment and makes referrals to appropriate social service agencies.
5. Partial Hospitalization Program
The Partial Hospitalization Program is an intensive day treatment program designed to serve those clients who have been determined to require more frequent treatment than can be provided in the Outpatient Division. As in other treatment programs, admission to Partial Hospitalization is through the Base Service Unit. The Partial Hospitalization Program is frequently used to prevent inpatient hospitalization or to serve as a transition for those clients who have recently been discharged from the hospital.
A Geriatric Partial Hospitalization Component specifically addresses the clinical needs of the aging mental health population. This program, aptly called Pass Ages, focuses on adjusting to the aging process and the changes which can accompany it. Psychotherapeutic groups, as well as recreational and socialization activities, are the primary methods of intervention for the 10 to 15 clients served daily.
The Partial Hospitalization Program operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. There is programming for clients from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., and virtually all participants utilize agency transportation. During program hours, clients have the benefit of a supervised setting where therapy is provided primarily through groups, although individual treatment is available, as needed. Since most of the clients are receiving medications, the Partial Program has a strong psychiatric component, including psychiatrists and a nurse.
6. Mental Health Residential (Adult)
The Mental Health Residential Program is a transitional residential treatment program which began in 1983 for adults who are defined as psychiatrically disabled. It offers a homelike, non-institutional environment that provides residents an opportunity to learn skills to reach the goal of adequate independent living. All residents are involved in some type of psychotherapeutic program, are frequently involved with vocational rehabilitation services and case management services, and in general, receive a continuum of care which assists in their maximum functioning. The ultimate goal is to prevent institutionalization, while at the same time to encourage and develop initiative and self-direction in community living.
In addition to being involved in treatment, residents are required to participate in developing their service plan, to help them determine how they might reach their personal and psychotherapeutic goals. The residents live in a "normalized" setting where they might share an apartment with one or two other residents. The staff consists of a supervisor, three caseworkers, and five residential workers who work as a team to assist the clients in progressing toward wellness.
The Program offers three levels of care, full, partial, and supportive living. The full-care program has 24 hour per day on-site supervision. Partial Care has flexible supervision time, according to individual client needs, and the supportive living component is primarily used as a stepping stone to independent living and staff are available to those residents as needed. http://www.midmon.com/mhhousing/
7. Host Family Residential Program
This residential program, available to children and adolescents, began in the spring of 1985. The concept of the program is to provide a one-to-one family type responsibility for emotionally disturbed youngsters who are adjudicated by the Children & Youth system. A one of a kind program in this area, the Host Family Program serves a four-county area through contracts with the Children and Youth Agencies in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland Counties.
The foster families with whom these youngsters are placed are carefully screened and trained by the professional staff of the Host Family Program. These foster parents are considered an extension of the treatment team and they recognize the clinical goals of assisting these children in the eventual return to their natural families. The Host families work with the natural parents so that both families can be consistent in their approach to the youngster with whom they are involved.
8. Community Living Arrangements Program (CLA) http://www.midmon.com/mhhousing/
The Mon Valley CLA Program is a community-based residential program for mentally retarded individuals. CLA currently serves 25 residents in Westmoreland County and 17 residents in Washington County. The clients are spread among two male and one female group homes and a number of supervised apartments. The Title XIX waiver component is a recent addition and primarily serves persons discharged from institutions and community companions.
The overall program can best be understood by examining a few of its major characteristics and briefly highlighting its programmatic objectives. The residents are expected to represent the functional levels of profound mental retardation or above. A few individuals have been admitted who may fall below the expected intellectual range. The functional level of each individual dictates the type of overall program that is developed. The nature of the program then ranges from long-term sheltered living to short-term training and, eventually, semi-independent or even independent living. The system permits and encourages maximization of potential and facilitation of movement and growth in a positive direction.
The program objectives include providing a mechanism for deinstitutionalization, a method by which mentally retarded adults can become independent and a means by which mentally retarded individuals may reach their maximum level of independence within the community setting. The realization of these objectives can best be understood in the context of the major service areas of the program. These areas include training in home-living skills, development of community living skills, training in hygiene and self-care, socialization and psychosexual adjustment, and vocational training through referral to resources such as sheltered or competitive employment.
9. Early Intervention
The Early Intervention Program serves infants and toddlers from birth to three years of age who may have developmental delays. In order to receive services through this program, each child is initially evaluated via a treatment team approach to assessment and service planning. The child is evaluated physically and intellectually and a comprehensive family psychosocial history is obtained.
After the initial evaluation, a prescriptive developmental program is written. Areas of emphasis include gross motor skills, fine and perceptual motor skills, socialization, communication, emotional development and self help skills. Children enrolled in the program may receive services in the center, as well as home visitation. Parents are regarded as critical members of the treatment team, therefore, parent education and counseling related to the delayed child occurs whenever possible. Physical, occupational, speech and vision therapy are provided within the context of the program and referrals for other needed services are made when indicated.
10. Therapeutic Activity Center
The Therapeutic Activity Center (TAC) is a community-based activity program for adult mentally retarded clients. The program operates five days a week, from 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Clients are offered programming between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. The program serves approximately 30 clients who are classified as severely, moderately, or mildly retarded.
The objective of TAC is to provide training in those skills and activities necessary to enable each client to reach his/her maximum level of independence within the home and community. There is a strong employment/vocational orientation to the program to assist the clients in feeling and being productive. The primary areas addressed in TAC are pre-vocational training, functional education, daily living skills, arts and crafts, recreation and socialization.
Some of the educational activities in which clients are involved include telling time, using money, using public transportation and pay telephones, communication skills, meal preparation, household chores and physical education activities. Interpersonal relationships with peers are also stressed and activities such as dances, picnics, and social functions are frequently planned.
B. Child Care
The Mon Valley Child Care Program provides educational and supportive services to families. The program is presently serving 203 children, ages 6 weeks through 12 years, in child care homes, pre-school centers, infant/toddler centers and the before and after school center. The following are the addresses for each of the pre-school and infant/toddler center facilities. Hours of operation are 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Monongahela Child Care Center 122 E. Main Street Monongahela, Pennsylvania 15063
Monessen Child Care Center Eastgate 8 Monessen, Pennsylvania 15062
The major function in child care is to facilitate the growth and development of the total child while supporting the family. It is our conviction that the family has to be the primary unit for the child. While in our care, the child's emotional, intellectual, social and physical growth is our major goal. Development in all these areas is the process by which the healthy human personality emerges. Although each pre-school class and child care home varies its curriculum according to the ages and developmental level of the children, there is a basic philosophy underlying the program in that each child is looked upon as an individual with needs that are specific to him or her. The individuality of the child is the result of cultural or situational differences. This necessitates that the program be varied for each child.
Each child is an active participant in the learning process. Through the child's participation in the classroom, he/she is involved in imitating, acting, and problem solving activities. The children are encouraged to behave spontaneously. The teaching staff is responsible for creating an environment that is conducive to developmental growth and learning. Our expectation is that children will move smoothly from one developmental level to the next and will learn those life skills necessary for each. Each child's progress is recorded by the teachers on a regular basis to facilitate the planning for each child.
The Mon Valley Child Care Program's philosophy includes a belief that in order to enhance the development of the child, parent/staff communication must be accomplished on a daily basis. Daily programming includes availability of staff to discuss the child's progress throughout his/her day. Informational Charts are sent home daily, to inform the parents of the activities their child participated in during their day in Child Care. Monthly newsletters and lesson plans keep the parents informed as to the special activities being held during the month and keep the parents abreast of the educational curriculum. Twice each year, the staff has formalized parent/teacher conferences, at which time the children's progress is noted.
Mon Valley Child Care also supports an organized Parents' Committee, by centers. The parents hold monthly meetings to network among themselves, and during these meetings, guest speakers are provided to discuss topics of interest. Parents find supporting one another helpful in the areas of disciplining, toilet training, etc.
The Child Care Program also plans special events, throughout the year, such as a Mother's Day Breakfast, a Father's Day Ice Cream Social, various Holiday Programs and an annual Spring Show. Mon Valley Child Care believes that parental involvement is a vital part of the children's experiences while enrolled in the Child Care Program, and is an integral component of the learning process involving both children and their families.
C. Services to the Aging
The Services to the Aging Program provides senior centers, nutrition, elder care, and an array of in-home supports to Mon Valley residents who are primarily over the age of sixty (60) years or whose spouse has reached this age eligibility. The program gives special attention to those who exhibit any of the following characteristics: living alone, low income, minority race, advanced age (75 years or older), or who have a functional disability which impairs participation in normal daily activities. Individuals who participate in center, nutrition, elder care and in-home services are given the opportunity to make a contribution for the service.
1. Care Management
Care Management is an integral part of the Agency's service delivery system that identifies the consumer's need and seeks appropriate supports that allow the individual to function independently. Care Management activities, at a minimum, include the completion of the Pennsylvania Care Management Assessment Form, development of a written care plan which considers all available resources, both formal and informal, implementation of the care plan, and coordination and follow-up of service delivery.
As part of the "continuum of quality service" concept for the older person, a program entitled Ombudsman is available to help assure that consumers of long-term care, particularly those older persons that reside within personal care homes and intermediate/skill nursing facilities, receive the level of care and quality of life within the facility to which they are entitled. An Ombudsman, therefore, is a staff person who has been trained to receive, investigate and resolve complaints related to the health, safety and rights of older individuals who are consumers of long term care services.
2. Center Services
The program operates full-time senior citizens centers in Monongahela, Donora, Charleroi, Perryopolis and Fayette City. Part-time centers are active at the Finleyville Community Center for those in Union and Nottingham Townships and at the Brownsville Community Center in Lower Tyrone Township. These facilities serve as the hub of activity for the older adults in these and surrounding communities. Daily events include recreation and leisure time activities, life skills and nutrition education, community service events, group activities and a noon-time congregate meal. The persons who attend the center are encouraged to utilize lottery- funded public transportation programs.
Each center has an elected site advisory council that assists the senior center specialists in planning activities and assuring that the needs of the local residents are addressed.
3. Nutrition Services
Services to the Aging operates a Central Kitchen that is capable of producing twelve hundred (1,200) meals per seating. Meal production includes meeting the special diet needs of persons with certain disabling conditions.
Congregate meals are delivered to the Mon Valley senior centers, including California, Charleroi, Donora, Monongahela, Perryopolis, Fayette City and, on a limited basis, to satellites in Finleyville and Lower Tyrone Township.
The noon-time meals designated for delivery to homebound individuals (Home Delivered Meal) is bulk-packed in insulated containers that assure proper temperature control. The meals are taken to centralized drop-off points where volunteers provide a personalized delivery.
A further function of the Central Kitchen is to provide volunteer training and nutrition education to both center and homebound clients.
4. Elder Care Activity Center
The Elder Care Activity Center is an adult day activity program that provides specialized senior center services to senior adults with functional limitations. These services assist the individual in maintaining their current level of independence. The Elder Care Center is located at 701 Meldon Avenue at the Donora Senior Citizens Center. The program is available to residents of the Mon Valley portions of Washington and Fayette counties who are functionally impaired and need assistance in developing or maintaining daily living skills. The goals of the program are two fold: maintaining client independence, which is the primary goal; and providing respite time for families, which is a secondary, yet critical benefit. Such respite time will ease caregiver stress and allow for quality time to be spent with the person in need.
Planned activities are scheduled each day, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. A nutritious lunch is provided to the participants. There are realistic individual goals that are designed by the professional staff, the consumer and family that maximize the individual's independence. The individual's progress is documented so that all concerned are kept informed. The staff will assist the family in arranging for transportation.
5. Community In-Home Services
In order to fill a recognized gap in the Mon Valley, the In-Home Service Program for the elderly was developed and implemented in April of 1977. The program was designed to assist in maintaining elder persons in their homes during periods of medical or emotional crisis and to avoid or deter institutionalization.
The specific in-home services provided are as follows:
(a) Personal Care
The provision in a client's home of "hands on" care related to personal hygiene or functional activities of daily living that an individual cannot meet independently. Such tasks would be assistance with bathing, grooming, ambulation and taking medications.
(b) Home Support Home Support service activities are labor-intensive maintenance, cleaning and home management activities provided to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for the individual.
(c) Personal Assistance Services
The program offers in-home personal care and home support services to assist physically disabled older individuals to live as independently as possible. This service can be rendered up to twenty-five (25) hours per week to individuals assessed as needing the care. Services are performed by attendant care workers who are employees of Diversified Human Services, Inc. The staff are trained in personal care and home support skills prior to assignment. Once assigned to a client, workers receive day-to-day supervision of their performance.
(d) Nursing Home Diversion Services
The Nursing Home Diversion Services are offered to an individual as an alternative to nursing home placement. Community supports are purchased through the assessing agency that will allow the individual assessed as nursing home eligible to continue living within their own familiar environment. The Services to the Aging Program is the provider of Personal Care and Home Supports to assessed eligible persons in the Mon Valley portion of Fayette County and all of Washington County.
6. Helping Elders Live Positively (H.E.L.P.)
The H.E.L.P. project is a free, confidential, one-on-one support service program for adults 55 and older who live in Washington and Fayette counties. It is designed to assist participants with life's changes such as loss of spouse to death, divorce or dementia; loss of a child, friend or other family member; loss of independence or one's home and disabilities, illness and/or other life difficulties. Participants are matched with well trained volunteers, many of whom have already experienced similar transitions.
Questions or Comments?
For more information, please contact:
Diversified Human Services, Inc.
Eastgate 8, Monessen PA, 15062
(724) 684-9000
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