Transitional Apartment Living Program
Transitional Apartment Living Program
Life Styles Apartment Living Program provides a structured and supportive living environment for individuals with disabilities while they learn those important daily living skills they will need to live successfully in the community. The program offers intensive training in areas such as meal planning and preparation, budgeting, apartment maintenance, personal hygiene, health and safety, decision making and getting along with others. Individuals in the program live in a 12 unit apartment complex or in one of several Life Styles owned duplexes.
Life Styles Transitional Apartment Living program is truly one of a kind in the field of developmental disabilities. We have learned that a strong educational / training program is necessary to help individuals reach their full potential. Besides an in-depth training program, Life Styles offers citizenship and leadership training that promotes improved self-esteem and greater community involvement through volunteer service. We want individuals to have the necessary tools to live happily and successfully in the community. Our training model uses a “phase system” moving individuals from the point when they enter Phase I and learn the basic skills to Phase II which builds on these skills, supporting individuals in making good decisions for their futures. [Top of Page]
Life Styles Community Support Services provides on-going support to individuals with developmental disabilities. The services are provided in their own homes in the community and are tailored to meet each individual’s needs. Support Specialists provide one-on-one support, assisting with financial management, health and safety issues, daily living skills and community integration. The individuals in this program live in their own apartments in the community.
The impact of the community Support Program is quite significant. Individuals are actively involved in the life of their community as neighbors, church members and coworkers. They enjoy lives that are rich with experiences and opportunities. [Top of Page]
Life Styles Employment Services provides a full range of quality employment services designed to train, place, and support persons with disabilities in jobs of their choice in the community. The Employment Program’s approach is based upon our strong commitment to work and our belief that everyone can be successfully employed. Over the years, we have found that successful competitive employment creates positive improvements in the other areas of the individual’s life. Self-esteem and self-confidence increase as they become capable contributing workers.
Specific services provided by the Employment Department include vocational assessment, job development, on-the job training, follow-along support and job retraining when necessary. Classes are offered on a variety of job topics including developing interview skills and how to keep a job. Individuals who have not worked before might be placed initially on a supervised training crew to learn good work ethics, team work and other skills needed for success. Life Styles Employment Services operates training crews on the University of Arkansas campus and with our own business, Fayetteville Shredding Co. [Top of Page]
Life Styles Individual Support Services provides services under the HCB Medicaid Waiver Program. This program focuses on quality individualized support services to persons with developmental disabilities. The goal of the program is to assess, plan for and provide services to address the particular needs and interests of the individual consumer. Services may be provided up to 24 hours a day or as few as several hours each week. Services include daily life skill training, community integration activities, transportation and in-home support. Individuals served in this department can now become involved in their communities, working at jobs, volunteering their time, attending activities and churches of their choice, and participating in all aspects of community life. [Top of Page]
Life Styles provides Case Management Services to individuals served in our Transitional Apartment Living program, Community Support Program and the Individualized Support Services. The case managers are responsible for assisting each individual in identifying their service options and planning for the provision of these services. Services include education in service provision, designing a plan for services, coordinating and monitoring services with other providers or generic services in the community, conflict resolution and counseling and future planning. The case managers provide our initial contact with families and individuals requesting services. From this beginning point, the case manager remains an advocate for the individual and their family, assisting them in arranging the services and supports they need and want. [Top of Page]
College for Living is an adult education program that provides life long learning opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Classes and activities are designed not only to teach basic skills, but to go beyond the basics, offering individuals an enrichment opportunity that builds on their knowledge and skills and advances their capabilities to be active participants in community life.
Often individuals with developmental disabilities have been disenchanted with school and learning in general. At Life Styles and through College For Living, individuals experience “learning is fun!” Individuals experience success as they learn to work on computers, participate in leadership classes, take dance classes, study election issues to prepare to vote, and learn the skills needed to be contributing members of our community. [Top of Page]
Life Styles Transition School- to- Work program provides high school students with disabilities with actual work experience in the community. A job trainer is on site to help the students learn the skills needed for the job. Students also participate in “job shadowing” where they visit local businesses to see the many job opportunities that are available. Students receive prevocational training, learning to fill out applications, practice interviewing skills and discussing how to get and keep a job. [Top of Page]
