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Month: February 2016

Become a Shared Living Provider

Posted on by Paige Mador

Developing community living opportunities for people with disabilities can sometimes be a challenge.  There are many individuals who need assistance with daily activities such as transportation and medication management but seek independence in many other areas of their lives.  For people who fit into this category, the Shared Living model is an excellent option.  Shared Living programs focus on providing people with developmental disabilities a compatible home environment to enrich their lives. Providers welcome adults with developmental disabilities into their homes, lives and families. The ultimate goal is for the individual and provider to establish a mutually supportive relationship.

Caregivers are responsible for providing the participant with a safe and comfortable home, assisting with medical appointments, promoting improvement of daily living skills, developing positive relationships, and fostering community involvement.  Ideal candidates for becoming a Shared Living Provider should possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle.  Orientation, training, respite care, and a tax-free annual stipend are provided to Shared Living Caregivers.

In the past year alone, the number of individuals participating in Venture’s Shared Living Program has more than doubled, and we are continually working to develop compassionate, caring providers to expand our program even more.  We will also continue to identify individuals who are ready to explore a more independent living arrangement.

Currently, Venture has immediate openings for Shared Living Providers in Sturbridge, Brookfield, Palmer, and Ware.  If you are interested in becoming a Shared Living Provider, please contact Shannon Guenette at 774-922-1129 or sguenette@venturecs.org.

This photo can be used to promote how carers can support people with a disability in activities of daily living

Supporting ADDP at the State House

Posted on by Paige Mador

This past Tuesday, Venture was proud to be among the supporters at the Legislative Luncheon at the Massachusetts State House, which is sponsored by the Association of Developmental Disability Providers. ADDP is a vital trade organization that promotes and ensures the strength of the developmental disability provider community and its members, allowing organizations to be successful in improving the quality, access and value of community based services for people with disabilities. The annual luncheon is a time for representatives from organizations all over the state to come together at the State House and communicate the needs of the populations we support to our lawmakers, educate them about the work we do, and ask for them to support a state budget that will best assist people with disabilities, their families, and the employees who work with them. For more information about funding priorities, please click here.

ADDP welcomed Speaker Robert DeLeo as he opened the ceremony with an overview of recent legislation supporting the developmental disability community. Representatives from provider organizations also had the opportunity to meet with their local state senators and representatives to thank them for their support and discuss upcoming legislation and budget considerations. Finally, Governor Charlie Baker was honored with this year’s Elected Official of the Year for his support. Click here to read more about Governor Baker’s speech and ADDP’s Legislative Luncheon. To learn more about ADDP, please visit their web site.