Independent Living (IL) Services

We believe in the empowerment of consumers, encouraging them to take active roles in their lives and in the community in which they live. We provide comprehensive and innovative programs and services, which maximize individual independence and opportunities. Driven by the belief that consumers must always be equal members of society with equal access, CLW provides the following Independent Living Services throughout Central Massachusetts.

Four core services of Independent Living:

• Skills Training

People with disabilities can learn or improve skills that help them live independently.

• Peer Counseling

Peer support is provided, helping increase self-esteem, and assisting in decision-making as requested.

• Advocacy (both Individual and Community)

Educate consumers to understand and exercise their legal rights as defined by the ADA and other acts of legislation. Educated consumers can become their own best advocates.

• Information & Referral

We provide information and resources that best meets the consumer’s needs.

Other IL services offered:

• Housing Assistance

• Finances/Benefits

• Health Care/Nutrition

• Self-Care/Daily Living

• Personal/Self-Help

• Education/Training

• Problem Solving Assistance

• Outreach

• Community Education

• Consumer/Legal Rights

• Social/Recreational

Nursing Home Initiative & Money Follows the Person Demonstration (MFP)

Center for Living & Working is ready to assist residents living in an institutional setting such as; nursing homes, hospitals, or intermediate care facilities to return to living independently in their community with the necessary added support for a quality life style. Our Nursing Home Initiative and MFP programs are two services aimed at achieving this. The Nursing Home initiative is in line with the State’s commitment to Community First, supporting residents of Massachusetts of all ages and disabilities offering additional support services so they can successfully return to living within their community for as long as they choose. The MFP Demonstration is a voluntary program designed to help individuals who live in facility-based settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, and intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities (ICF/ID), to return to their homes and communities.

CLW has trained staff experienced in assisting individuals with a successful transition out of a facility back into the community.

Support offered includes:

•  Determine what kind of residential options are needed and available by working closely with the consumer•   Assist and provide support with housing searches

•   Make referrals for in home care to include personal care management

•   Explore, connect and explain community services available

•   Advocate for needed resources when obstacles arise

•   Continued support after the transition

•   Financial assistance when transitioning, for household items, and/or assistance with initial housing related deposits.

•   Facilitate the transition

Options Counseling

Options counseling (OC) is a statewide initiative supporting people and their choices of where to live and receive services. OC is offered as a free service through the Aging and Disability Resource Consortium (ADRC) of Central Massachusetts.

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)  

Pre-ETS programming is intended to emphasize vocational and educational awareness, exploration and preparation for students with disabilities. The goal of Pre-ETS is to provide students with the skills needed to be successful for employment or education after high school.

To qualify for Pre-ETS, students must be 14 through 21 in high school or secondary-education with a disability. All students must have documentation to verify their disability. Documentation can include a 504 Plan, Individualized Education Plan (IEP or other medical documentation).

Pre-ETS Services Include:

• Job Exploration Counseling

• Self-Advocacy & Mentoring

• Workplace Readiness Training

Post-Secondary Education Counseling

• Work-Based Learning

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Main Line: 508-798-0350  Toll Free: 800-570-4020

TTY: 508-755-1003  VP: 508-762-1164

Or visit our website: www.centerlw.org

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING INDEPENDENT LIVING

CLW’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services (DHILS) provides a variety of services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers. We accept referrals from other agencies, or individuals may self-refer by visiting or calling our offices. Services provided are in the following areas:

Four Core Independent Living Services Offered:

• Skills Training

Deaf & Hard of Hearing individuals can learn or improve skills that help them live independently.

• Peer Counseling

Peer support is provided, helping increase self-esteem, and assisting in decision-making when requested.

• Advocacy (both Individual and Community)

Assist Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and help them to understand and exercise their legal rights as defined by the ADA and other acts of legislation. Educated consumers can become their own best advocates.

• Information & Referral

We provide information and resources to individuals.

Other DHILS Programs and Services offered:

• Crisis Intervention

• Problem Solving

• Outreach and Community Education

• Educational/ Social Events

• Volunteer Program

• Internship Program

• Assistive Device Training/Loaner Program

Target Areas currently offered:

• Safe Communities

• Jobs and Self Sufficiency

• Wellness and Quality of Health Care

• Emergency Preparedness

• Peer Parenting Training

• Transition to Adulthood

Specialized ADA Consulting Services Americans with Disabilities Act

To ensure complete compliance within the ADA laws, CLW has the expertise to assist in navigating through complex laws to bring an organization or business into full ADA/AAB compliance. CLW provides assessment and recommendations to:

• Businesses

• Schools

• Cities and towns

• Recreational facilities

• Housing authorities

• Human service providers

While following the ADA guidelines to

• Surveying properties

• Current building access

• Review plans and operations for new construction projects

• Review policies and procedures

• Transition Plan

• Self Evaluation

Our team will make recommendations on providing a reasonable accommodation to your employee, tenant or customer to ensure there are no barriers for people with disabilities.

TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD (TAP)

TAP provides services to young adults between the ages of 14 and 22 with the transition from an educational setting to independent living in the community. TAP also provides guidance with the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Individual Transition Plan (ITP) process. Utilizing the role model approach, the peer counselor and consumer will build a relationship through sharing real life experiences and develop an independent living plan together.

Four core services provided:

• Skills Training

• Peer Counseling

• Advocacy (both Individual and Community)

• Information & Referral

Services we offer:

• IEP and ITP Advocacy

• Support to family• Community Education and Recreation

Additional areas of support:

• Assistance with housing

• Resolve transportation issues

• Problem solving

• Employment

• Home management

• Financial management

To enable disabled youth in reaching a greater understanding of independence.

MASSHEALTH PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT PROGRAM

This program is designed to offer qualified consumers personal care assistance (PCA) with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as:

• bathing

• dressing

• toileting

and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as:

• laundry

• shopping

• housekeeping

• meal preparation

allowing them to be more independent regarding the choices that impact their lives.

Consumers receive education, training and ongoing support from our trained skills trainers on how to manage their own personal care program by hiring their own PCAs, which allows them both the right and the responsibilities of independence. PCAs assist with ADLs and the IADLs at the direction of the consumer. The consumer is trained to be the employer and the PCA works directly for the consumer.

You may apply for the PCA Program if you are eligible for MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth.

Our trained staff includes skills trainers, registered nurses and occupational therapists that will be available to help the consumer navigate through MassHealth approval process.