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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  PROGRAM

A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.		  
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  LEADERSHIP

A nonprofit organization's leadership consists of its governing body, chief executive officer, and may also include its senior management. In a public agency the term refers to the agency head and administration team. The term "leadership" is not generally applied to for-profit organizations. With respect to COA standards, in for-profit organizations the term leadership applies to the owner and board of directors if one exists.		  
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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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  MANAGEMENT

See ADMINISTRATION		  
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  DISCHARGE

See CASE CLOSING 		 
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  PARENTS

Parents can include: birth, foster, kinship, and adoptive parents. Please see service standards for more specific information about use of this term. 		 
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  LEGAL GUARDIAN

A person who has legal responsibility for the care and management of a person incapable of administering his/her own affairs. In the case of a minor child, the guardian is charged with the legal responsibility for the care and management of the child and of the minor child's estate.		  
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  POLICY

A written statement of principles, values, or intent that provides a basis for consistent decision making and guides the actions of staff, management, and board of trustees. A policy is intentionally broad in its language and application. The following is an example of an anti-discrimination policy:

"[Organization Name] shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services."

In contrast, a procedure is a detailed, step-by-step description of a process. It tells the reader how to do something. Generally, policies are implemented through procedures. For example, the above anti-discrimination policy would require a detailed grievance procedure in order to operationalize it within an organization.

The governing body has the fiduciary responsibility for setting organizational policy. Therefore, policies must be approved and periodically reviewed by the organization's governing body. However, the governing body typically delegates (via policy) the responsibility for policy development to management. In owner-operated for-profit companies, the owner can act as the company's governing body, depending on the company's corporate structure.

In a public agency the responsibility for setting and reviewing policies may belong to the agency's management team, elected officials, another governmental agency, or as is often the case, a combination of the above.

  
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  TRAINING

Instruction so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient in a skill or body of knowledge.		  
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Group Living Services
  
Private Org Public Agency  

GLS 7: Community Connections

 
Residents in a group care setting cultivate and sustain connections with the community.
Note: Programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities will address community connections in the DD Supplement.

GLS 7.01

 

To facilitate a resident’s ability to access all available services and become an active member of the community, the organization:

  1. remains knowledgeable about local, regional, and state resources, including networking and leadership opportunities;
  2. educates the community about the assets and needs of individuals receiving support to attain self-sufficiency; and
  3. finds and develops opportunities for residents to develop positive ties to the community based on mutual interests and abilities.

GLS 7.02

 

Social and community connections are encouraged by providing residents opportunities to participate in:

  1. social, recreational, educational, or vocational activities in the community;
  2. religious observances in the faith group of choice; and
  3. family and neighborhood activities consistent with his or her ethnic and cultural heritage.
Research Note: Literature indicates that individuals in residential programs are often accustomed to failure. By accessing social, recreational, and educational opportunities the individual can build self-esteem, an important element in developing a sense of success.

GLS 7.03

 
Individuals are helped to develop social support networks and build healthy, meaningful relationships with caring individuals.
Interpretation: “Caring individuals” may include mentors, community members, friends, siblings, and other family members.

GLS 7.04

 

The organization encourages social and community integration through development of life skills including:

  1. navigating the surrounding environment;
  2. obtaining housing and household management;
  3. pursuing educational and occupational opportunities;
  4. managing finances;
  5. accessing community resources such as banks, employment agencies, government offices, and recreational and educational organizations;
  6. accessing and using public assistance;
  7. serving as a resource to the community;
  8. effective communication and conflict resolution; and
  9. preparing for discharge and family reintegration, independent living, or another less restrictive setting, if applicable.
NA The organization serves young children for whom the development of these life skills is not appropriate.

GLS 7.05

 
The organization evaluates children and youth for their ability to participate in recreational or athletic activities and obtains written, signed permission slips from resident’s parents or legal guardians.
Interpretation: If children and youth participate in strenuous athletic activities, or if their parents or legal guardians are not reachable, it may also be appropriate to obtain a medical records release, or a signed document from a qualified medical professional stating that the participant is physically capable of participating.
NA The organization does not provide recreational or athletic activities or serve children or youth.

GLS 7.06

 
Policy prohibits exploitation of individuals in employment-related training or gainful employment.

Interpretation: The organization should make reasonable efforts to match training and employment opportunities to the goals and interests of individual residents.

NA The organization does not provide employment-related training or jobs to residents.
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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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