SERVICE

One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.		  
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  COMMUNITY

A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.		  
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  FAMILY

Two or more people who consider themselves family and who assume obligations, functions, and responsibilities generally essential to healthy family life. Child care and child socialization, income support, long-term care, and other caregiving are among the functions of family life. The definition of "family" will rest with an individual's indication of who plays a family member role, including current or former foster family, adoptive family, extended family members, fictive kin, or significant others. Organizations that believe family is the central constellation in a child's life, and that family attachments are of primary importance for human development, will strive to work with professional staff to develop a common understanding of "family."		  
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  RESEARCH

For purposes of COA accreditation, all forms of internal or external research involving persons served except internal program evaluation and outcomes research, or educational projects performed by students and interns that are part of their professional training.		  
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  PLANNING

The process of specifying objectives, evaluating the means for their achievement, and exercising deliberate decision making about appropriate courses of action.		  
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  SPECIAL NEEDS

A designation used in reference to conditions or characteristics of a person that reflect a need for special care, services, or treatment. When the term is used in the context of adoption services, special needs refers to conditions that make a child harder to place for adoption. This includes children who are members of sibling groups, older children, children with disabilities, children of certain racial /ethnic backgrounds, etc. When the term is used in the context of foster care it refers to the need for a higher degree of specialized case services and attention due to mental and physical disabilities. When the term is used in the context of out-of-school time services, a child or youth may have special physical, behavioral, medical, emotional, or cognitive needs that should be addressed or accommodated. The term is also used in other contexts. See also DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.		  
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  TERMINATION

See CASE CLOSING 		 
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Group Living Services
  
Private Org Public Agency  

GLS 2: Family Connections

 
The resident, family, and organization work together to determine an optimal level of family connection.
Interpretation: The resident defines “family” based on who plays a family member role, including current or former foster family, adoptive family, extended family members, or significant others.
NA The organization serves only populations for whom family involvement is not indicated.

GLS 2.01

 

The organization helps the resident maintain family contacts and continue relationships with siblings and extended family through visits and shared activities, unless:

  1. contact is contraindicated; or
  2. the resident is an adult who does not wish to maintain family contact.
Research Note: Research suggests that contact and involvement with family is positively associated with post-placement success.

GLS 2.02

 

When services cannot be provided close to a person’s home, the organization attempts to maintain family ties and involve the family in service planning and delivery by:

  1. assisting the family with travel arrangements; and
  2. coordinating or facilitating family services to be delivered in the community.
Interpretation: The organization should attempt to accept individuals who live nearby to allow frequent family contact. The organization must support family involvement in service and provide alternative services through cooperating local organizations. Transportation costs should be paid to facilitate frequent visiting and home visits. Documented exceptions can be made in those situations that meet special needs and when family involvement is contraindicated.

GLS 2.03

 

The organization encourages family involvement by:

  1. providing assistance or support, as needed;
  2. encouraging family participation in decision making;
  3. providing an environment conducive to family visits and activities; and
  4. re-establishing parental and family care, or termination of parental rights, when in the best interest of or desired by the resident.
Research Note: Research suggests that family involvement in treatment is associated with better prognosis.

GLS 2.04

 

The organization helps residents:

  1. prevent, manage, and reduce family conflicts; and
  2. understand separation from family or significant others and prospects for returning home or living with another family.
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PURPOSE: Individuals who receive Group Living Services regain, maintain, and improve life skills and functioning in a safe, stable, community-based living arrangement.
 
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