Tennessee
St. John’s Community Services (SJCS) came to Tennessee in 1999 to assist people who were transitioning from the Arlington Developmental Center and returning to their home communities to resume their rightful places there. Since then, SJCS-TN has worked closely with these individuals, as well as many others from developmental centers or their natural homes, to fulfill the agency’s mission of advancing community support and opportunities for people living with disabilities in communities throughout West Tennessee. In so doing, SJCS-TN has earned the highest "quality tier" rating by the state. Contact SJCS-TN>
Adult Services
COMMUNITY LIVING SERVICES
Community Living Services are provided in homes and apartments in the Memphis and Jackson areas of Tennessee for people with disabilities and their families to make choices regarding the communities in which they will live, the type of housing, and their housemates. In community living, while the concepts of choice and self-direction are the driving force, the health and safety of the people supported is given careful consideration. Staff are highly trained and well supervised. Staffing is provided according to the need of the person served and can vary from drop-in to 24-hour care.
Homes are either owned or rented by the individuals who live in them. Whether the homes and apartments are owned or leased, they “belong” to the individuals who live in them, not to the agency. Accordingly, individuals are encouraged to participate in the management and care of their home, and are encouraged to participate in their community, with staff support as needed. Residents determine which skills they would like to acquire and what personal goals they are interested in achieving. Staff assists them to meet those goals and also learn skills needed to maintain a home, care for themselves and to be good housemates and neighbors. They also utilize community resources such as banks and shops and fully participate in community life. Residents may also participate in Community Participation and/or Supported Employment Services (see below) during the weekdays.
SJCS-TN has continued to expand its Community Living Services, by collaborating with the state to help transition people with disabilities from state institutions into homes of their own. New opportunities for home ownership for people with disabilities are also being explored through cooperative arrangements with participating financial institutions.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SERVICES
Consistent with the concept of self-direction, and unlike many more traditional day support programs, St. John’s Community Participation Services is a “program without walls.” According to expressed interests and preferences, people with disabilities become involved in their communities in a manner that allows them to develop relationships, skills, abilities and an improved sense of personal value. Staff supports individuals to learn new skills through community activities such as shopping, banking, using library services and other individualized activities.
Participants can also choose to volunteer in their community while building a résumé for future employment. SJCS-TN has established a network of non-profit, volunteer sites at which individuals can choose to donate their time doing activities such as bagging food for homebound individuals, folding laundry for maternity wards at local hospitals, and visiting with nursing home patients. At the same time, they are working on personal goals as well as cognitive, social, communication and motor skills that will help them participate fully in the community.
Through these volunteer efforts, participants develop relationships with people without disabilities and gain self-esteem through helping others. Participants also develop work ethics and job skills that could lead to employment opportunities. Staff supervision is provided at all times in this unique program.
SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT
Working in the community is an important part of any individual’s life. With the help of the local community, SJCS-TN creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities who want to explore the world of work. Employment Specialists work directly with individuals and their families, as appropriate, and with employers to assist with sound matching and a positive work experiences.
As individuals explore their job interests and express preferences, staff work with them to determine the support needed for the person to do the job successfully. Once an employment goal is established by the individual, the Employment Specialist assists the person to attain the job; provides on-the-job training for the individual, his or her employer and co-workers; and gives on-going support as needed, as well as career development. Individuals supported by SJCS-TN have had successful work experiences in such businesses as Kroger, Marriott Inns, and Little Caesar's Pizza, which have led to increased self-esteem and financial independence.
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