Group home activities and socialization
Butterfly88
Citizen
in Life Skills
Does anybody live in a group home? I do and they just leave me in my room all day with nothing to do. Is this typical of group homes? Are they supposed to have activities? Are the group home staff supposed to interact with residents? Sometimes I feel like I live in an institution. I live in New Jersey, USA if it makes any difference.
Comments
In Florida, group homes must have an indiviualize program for each resident. The resident and/or guardian decides what the resident will be taught or what kind of community inclusion activities are to be made available.
The quality of the programs in the group homes varies. In some, residents have "nothing to do" like you have said. In other group homes, activities are arranged, such as Zoom, going out to eat, going to the park, going to the beach, gardening, dances, bowling, etc.
I know many people who love their group homes, and some that don't. It depends on the group home and the individual.
How are your services in the group home funded? ie, who pays for it? Are there rules or guidelines for what services the group home must provide? Do you have a support coordinator or case manager who works with you? Do you have a guardian or an advocate who can help you get what you need and want?
I'm not in a group home and don't have any experience with them, but it's odd to hear that you have absolutely nothing to do there. I'm sorry that this is happening to you.
I did a bit of googling on New Jersey advocate organization. ARC of NJ says they will help people understand how to navigate the system. Check their website. Also Disability Rights New Jersey can provide you with information.
Thank you @blazingstar, I will ask about a support plan. I have an individual service plan that has some information about me, but it’s pretty basic and could probably be revised. I will check out those organizations.
@Teach51 I don’t have any friends there right now. There is only one other resident. She’s nice but super quiet. There are two empty beds though so I’m hoping somebody else moves in. I will talk to my support coordinator.
It's hard to imagine that they'd think it's okay to have the residents stay inside all the time without any activities, so I'm wondering if they are just expecting you to be able to go do things by yourself.
That is what it should be YOUR HOME. You are sharing it with other people, but it is still yours, just like people in the city share an apartment. Yes, you have to cooperate and have agreements such as not playing a movie loud at 3 am, but it is your home
You are probably paying room and board there and it is likely coming out of your social security check. Do you know who is your representative payee for your social security?
If the group home is managing your money, they have to show you an accounting of the money spent on your care.
Verity is correct that the home is licensed by the state and has inspections.
They took us on many trips like museums in the winter and swimming and hiking in the summer.
@blazingstar I am my own payee. They take 75% percent of my social security check. The state gave me a rate for rent but the home takes much more than that. Do you know what the remainder of the money is supposed to be for? Is that supposed to fund activities? Seems like a lot to just pay for food or other basic living expenses.
@Statest16 Good to know!
I actually went on the group home’s website and it said they have structured activities and are supposed to help me meet goals. I did make goals but they never did anything with them. Also my care manager says she wants to visit and see how I interact with the staff but the staff barely interact with me at all. I hope she can help.
It sounds like you are saying the group home gets some money for rent. The group home is also entitled to money for “board” which means the money they get for feeding you. This is customary.
You should have your own checking account and your social security check gets deposited into your checking account every month. Then you pay your rent, you pay your board and then you pay whatever other bills, needs or wants you may have. Typical things would be a cell phone, soap, shampoo, etc, clothing, etc.
Below is information right off the New Jersey website about developmental disabilities services. This part is about your care coordinator. Asterix is mine.
Care management and Individualized Service Plan (ISP) development is provided by independent support coordinators working for DDD/Medicaid-approved Support Coordination Agencies (SCAs). *Support coordinators are required to conduct monthly health and safety monitoring to ensure that ISP services are being delivered and continue to meet individual needs.*
When an individual has completed the DDD eligibility application process and is eligible to receive DDD services, their DDD Intake Worker will provide them with a Support Coordination Agency Selection Form to complete. Individuals may choose the SCA they wish to work with, or they may choose to be auto-assigned to an SCA. The SCA will assign a support coordinator to work with the individual and caregivers to complete the Person-Centered Planning Tool (PCPT) and the Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
Once an individual is enrolled in one of DDD's medicaid waiver programs, they have the the right to change their Support Coordination Agency if they choose to do so. To request this change, the Support Coordination Agency Change Form must be submitted to DDD.
Support Coodination Agency changes are made by DDD at the beginning of the month.
Individuals and families can use DDD's list of approved Support Coordination Agencies to help them find SCAs that serve their county.
For additional guidance, individuals and families can visit Selecting and Evaluating a Support Coordination Agency, with links to several guide booklets developed by The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities.
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We hear so much talk as it concerns group living and social services about the abuse or neglect but we often forget the ones that cared.There are so many good caring people in social services that often forgotten and lives they touched.I could list another 10 20 people but thought of Dave today when I heard that song.
Wherever you are Dave on your journey I wanted you to know I remember you and many others
I think remembering police and firefighters is great but there should be more for social services.