Transitional Living
ICHD’s transitional living program is a structured residential initiative designed to support individuals facing challenges that come with transitioning back into everyday life. Our program provides a stable living environment where participants can develop essential life skills, and receive guidance from trained professionals. By fostering a sense of community and accountability, the ICHD transitional living program aim to empower residents to achieve long-term independence while offering support in navigating the complexities of reintegrating into society.
In 1998, ICHD opened its first Transitional Living Home, the Julius House. This home is named in memory of Julius Boone, who exemplified the type of program ICHD aimed to create. The Julius House can accommodate up to four adults with severe and persistent mental illness, providing support to help them develop the skills necessary for independent living.
In addition to the Julius House, ICHD also operates the Kelley House, named in honor of Lori Kelley, who successfully completed the program. Together, these homes have assisted hundreds of individuals in transitioning from nursing facilities, state hospitals, and other more structured environments into the local community.
Both homes feature four bedrooms, complete living areas, a kitchen, two bathrooms, a basement, and secure storm shelters. Additionally, both houses are compliant with handicap accessibility standards.
Transitional Goal – Independent Living
The Transitional Living Program is designed to empower individuals by fostering the development of healthy habits that can seamlessly transition into independent living. We have observed that when a person cultivates consistent, positive routines, they not only enhance their ability to manage symptoms effectively but also experience a greater sense of well-being and stability within their community. By equipping participants with the tools and skills needed to thrive, we aim to support their journey towards a more fulfilling and autonomous life.
The Transitional Living Program provides comprehensive support in several key areas to promote a balanced and independent lifestyle:
–Medication Management: Our goal is to empower those in the program with knowledge about the purpose, dosage, and potential side effects of each medication. By doing so, we aim to enhance their ability to adhere to their health and wellness plans effectively, ensuring they achieve optimal outcomes in managing their health.
–Cooking: Our program offers guidance on meal preparation, helping participants learn to create nutritious and delicious meals that cater to their dietary needs and preferences.
–Cleaning: We teach essential cleaning skills to maintain a tidy and organized living space, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility in participants.
–Symptom Management: Participants receive personalized strategies for managing their symptoms, empowering them to cope with challenges and improve their overall well-being.
–Managing ADLs (bathing, personal hygiene, etc.): Our program supports individuals in mastering daily living activities such as bathing and personal hygiene, enhancing their confidence and independence.
–Encourage positive social interactions: We provide opportunities for participants to engage in meaningful social interactions, helping them build relationships and develop essential communication skills.
–Healthy nighttime routines: We emphasize the importance of a structured nighttime routine to promote restful sleep, including relaxation techniques and bedtime rituals.
Through these initiatives, the Transitional Living Program aims to foster independence and improve the quality of life for every participant.
FAQs
Question: How long is the Transitional Living Program?
Answer: The program does not have a fixed timeframe; each individual completes the program at their own pace. Typically, the duration ranges from 3 to 12 months. During this time, participants will collaborate with transitional staff, case managers, and therapists. The Transitional Living program is highly individualized to ensure that each client’s unique needs are met.
After completing the Transitional program, our team collaborates to evaluate each individual’s progress and determine if they are ready for independent living. Case Managers will assist with the housing process if it’s determined that the client is capable of independent living. Consumers may continue to attend groups and receive services from Iroquois even after they have moved out.
Question: How is the transtional program staffed?
Answer: Each transitional house is staffed at all times when clients are present. Staff members are available to provide support and teach skills that will benefit each individual. The program is tailored to meet personal needs, allowing us to work at the individual’s pace.
Question: What does this program cost?
Answer: In most cases, services are billed directly to insurance providers. Therefore, the only expenses not covered by insurance are rent and funds for activities and outings. If you are unsure about your insurance coverage, please contact us, and we will help determine your eligibility.
Question: Who qualifies for this program?
Answer: The Transitional program is designed for clients diagnosed with SPMI and who need to learn life skills in order to prepare for independent living.
Question: What are the requirements for qualifing?
Answer: To be accepted into the transitional program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. They must not pose a risk to themselves or others.
2. They should be able to dress, bathe, and feed themselves independently.
3. They must be able to move independently (the facility is wheelchair accessible).
4. They should be transitioning from a more restrictive environment to a less restrictive one.
5. They should have the potential to transition to independent living within three to twelve months.
6. They must have a history of complying with medication.
7. They should have a primary diagnosis of a severe and persistent mental illness.
Application Process
Thank you so much for your interest in our transitional housing program.
The Iroquois Center operates two transitional houses: one for men and one for women. Each house can accommodate up to four individuals. The primary goal of the Transitional Living program is to help residents develop healthy habits that they can carry into independent living.
We emphasize several key areas: medication management, cooking and cleaning, activities of daily living (such as bathing and personal hygiene), maintaining personal space, fostering positive social interactions, symptom management, and establishing healthy nighttime routines.
Our experience has shown that when individuals cultivate healthy routines and habits, they are better equipped to manage their symptoms and achieve a higher level of functioning within the community.
During the day, everyone in the transitional program attends required psychosocial classes at ICHD. The classes focus on money management, emotional management, WRAP groups, peer support, health, wellness, and more.
Our screening process can be a bit lengthy, here is an outline of the steps involved:
1. Complete Application:
Begin by filling out the application and obtaining any required documentation. You can find a copy of the application here.
2. Application Review:
Our team will review the application and supporting information. If we believe our program aligns with the client’s needs, we will invite them to ICHD for an interview with our team.
3. Interview: The interview will take place with the client.
4. Team Evaluation:
After the interview, the team will make one of three decisions:
– The client is a good match for our program. If this is the case, we will proceed to step five.
– The client may be a suitable match for our program. We may request a temporary visit, which could lead to step five.
– We do not believe we can meet the client’s needs. In this scenario, we may provide referrals to other programs.
5. Intake for Services: Once accepted, an intake for services will be completed. We will then meet with the clinician after the intake to discuss any concerns. If the team is in agreement, we will move to step six.
6. Assign a Case Manager: Finally, we will assign a case manager and set a move-in date.