Moving to a new home is exciting. But let’s face it; sorting, packing and lugging our stuff is a hassle. Now imagine having two days to relocate 11 people into a two-story, eight-unit apartment complex.

 That’s what members of BCFR’s Supported Living program faced in December when they prepared to relocate one of its supported living sites to a newly renovated building. By all accounts, the move went off without a hitch thanks to thorough planning by staff and its efforts to prepare the 10 new occupants.

“We had a goal of moving before Christmas, and we met that goal,” said Laura Cravens, Director of the Supported Living Program. “On the day of the move, the residents were very excited.”

The new occupants toured the apartment building several times during the four-month renovation and witnessed firsthand their new home taking shape. Cravens said the renovation project included:

• New flooring – ceramic tile and carpet
• New interior and exterior doors
• New appliances on a case-by-case basis
• New kitchen cabinets and countertops
• New bathroom fixtures and medicine cabinets
• New lighting and paint throughout the building
• New window coverings

            The complex came open after another BCFR supported living program relocated this summer to another newly remodeled apartment building in south Columbia. The most recent move was an early Christmas present for the residents, some of whom would be living with new roommates. That was the most exciting part of the relocation for Barb.

“My new roommate is Shaina,” she said. “I’m really excited about that.”

For another resident named Laurie, more space was the best part of the move.

“My new bedroom is bigger than my old one,” said Laurie, who proudly gave a tour of her new apartment. “Look, I have a walk-in closet, and there is even a coat closet. In my old place, I didn’t have a coat closet, so all my coats went in my clothes closet. I like this much better.”

Joyce, another resident, prepared for her new home by purchasing a brand new bedroom set with money she had saved just for the occasion.

“I hurried up and got everything put away,” she said. “When I was done, I laid down on my new bed.”

Gaines Moving & Delivery moved the residents while BCFR’s maintenance department and staff assisted them with unpacking and arranging furniture. Within two weeks, they had settled in and turned their new space into a home.

For Supported Living Director Cravens, making residents comfortable is a No. 1 priority. “These are places in which these people may very well live for the rest of their lives,” she said. “We want them to be nice.”

See more Supported Living Stories!

Jessica had dreams two years ago when she graduated from Southern Boone High School. She wanted to work in the community, volunteer at the Humane Society and live independently.

The problem was Jessica had no idea how to make her dreams come true.

Partnership for Hope changed that by providing the 22-year-old with the support she needs to develop practical living skills and become more self-sufficient. Since the fall of 2010, Jessica has worked with Jamie Short, a Community Specialist with BCFR’s Life & Work Connections, to reach her goals.

Together, they have mapped a plan to prepare Jessica for a more independent life. She is learning how to budget, eat healthy, maintain proper hygiene and use a planner to track appointments. She also receives transportation services so she can keep appointments and interact with others in the community.

For Kimberly, Jessica’s mom, the services have made all the difference in her daughter’s life.

“Jessica is more confident,” she said. “I have noticed a decrease in depression because she can now do things on her own.” 

In the past, young people like Jessica – fresh out of high school and with no practical living skills – would often flounder and lose the social skills they worked so hard to develop in school because there were few supports in place to help them transition from school to an independent life. The only way they received services was if they were in crisis. By then, it was often too late. Besides, such reactive services are far more expensive than training the same individual to avoid crisis and live independently.  

In October 2010, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon lent his support to a partnership comprising the state, 37 county developmental disability boards and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Partnership for Hope provides services to people with disabilities and their families far sooner than before, helping recipients avoid crisis and delay or, potentially, a move to a residential home or institution.

A year after the program started, more than 1,000 individuals from 74 counties were enrolled. Today, 88 people in Boone County receive services through the Partnership for Hope.

Jessica is working with ACT to find employment in the community. She would like to work with animals, but she has seizures that complicate employment options. However, ACT is working with Jessica to develop a protocol for possible employers regarding her seizures.

Like any other young adult, Jessica has a busy social life. She is active with Services for Independent Living, where she attends a women’s group, a cooking class and game night every Friday. Her transportation service allows her to attend the events, which are an important part of Jessica’s desire to be an integral part of the community.

“The different programs have increased her confidence as a young woman,” Kimberly said. “Jessica is a lot more organized with everyday life skills.”

Watching Jessica grow more self-assured and independent has been a heart-warming experience for her mom, who once worried about her daughter’s future as well as her state of mind.

“We have seen a big change in Jessica,” Kimberly said. “She is motivated to be active in the community.”

See more Family & Community Living Support Stories!

Toilet support Bar – BA 002

TO REQUEST this item, download and complete the Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral in full, including all required signatures. A medical professional such as, but not limited to, a physician, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapist, nurse, medical case manager or social worker MUST sign the referral form. 

Individuals cannot receive any piece of equipment without the consent of one of the medical professionals listed above.

Once the request form has been filled out and signed, contact Sara Agnew, Outreach & Referral Coordinator, to set up a time to retrieve the item. The Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral must be filled out in full at the time of pick-up.

Sara Agnew can be reached by e-mail at sagnew@bcfr.org or call her at (573) 874-1995, ext 160.

or

If you ONLY have a question about this item, fill out the information below. 

Walker (adult) - WA 003

 TO REQUEST this item, download and complete the Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral in full, including all required signatures. A medical professional such as, but not limited to, a physician, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapist, nurse, medical case manager or social worker MUST sign the referral form. 

Individuals cannot receive any piece of equipment without the consent of one of the medical professionals listed above.

Once the request form has been filled out and signed, contact Sara Agnew, Outreach & Referral Coordinator, to set up a time to retrieve the item. The Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral must be filled out in full at the time of pick-up.

Sara Agnew can be reached by e-mail at sagnew@bcfr.org or call her at (573) 874-1995, ext 160.

or

If you ONLY have a question about this item, fill out the information below. 

What a difference a year makes.        

Last week, members of the advocacy group honored Gov. Jay Nixon for his support of the Partnership for Hope, a new statewide program that speeds up the service process, allowing people with developmental disabilities and their families to receive help far sooner. Instead of waiting until people are in crisis, the program helps recipients avoid calamity and delay or avoid the move to a residential home or institution.

The Partnership is an important program to the governor who talked about its impact the night before during his state-of-the state address:

“Working together, our Partnership for Hope is changing the lives of Missourians with developmental disabilities and their families,” Nixon said. “Before this compassionate program was in place, some folks waited years for services to help their loved ones live more independently – help with things like getting dressed, cooking meals, taking the bus to work.”

The award presentation was part of an event sponsored by state and local chapters of the Arc, intended to continue raising awareness of the statewide waiting list for services and to recognize new programs like the Partnership for Hope that have cut the waiting list.

On hand for the award ceremony were Norma Anderson and her grandmother, Fern, of Columbia. Thanks to the Partnership for Hope, Norma received a variety of services through Boone County Family Resources, including job training, classes to help with social skills and assistance with practical living skills such as budgeting and cooking. The instruction not only helped Norma land a job, but has better prepared her for an independent life. (Norma and Fern are picture third and fourth from the right in the group picture.)

Ann Bledsoe of Camdenton, whose son was also helped through the Partnership for Hope, presented Gov. Nixon his award and expressed her thanks for the services her son has received

In 2010, Gov. Nixon lent his support to a partnership among the state of Missouri, 37 county developmental disability boards and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Today, the Partnership for Hope includes 91 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis, and serves 1,300 people with developmental disabilities. Gov. Nixon has promised to expand the Partnership this year, which he believes will improve lives and save money in the long run.

Also at the award ceremony were representatives of the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities and People First of Missouri as well as Les Wagner, Executive Director of BCFR (pictured second from the right in the group picture) and President of the Missouri Association of County Developmental Disability Services and Keith Schafer, Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Weighted Lap Pad – SM 018

TO REQUEST this item, download and complete the Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral in full, including all required signatures. A medical professional such as, but not limited to, a physician, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapist, nurse, medical case manager or social worker MUST sign the referral form. 

Individuals cannot receive any piece of equipment without the consent of one of the medical professionals listed above.

Once the request form has been filled out and signed, contact Sara Agnew, Outreach & Referral Coordinator, to set up a time to retrieve the item. The Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral must be filled out in full at the time of pick-up.

Sara Agnew can be reached by e-mail at sagnew@bcfr.org or call her at (573) 874-1995, ext 160.

or

If you ONLY have a question about this item, fill out the information below. 

Weighted Vest – SM 014

 TO REQUEST this item, download and complete the Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral in full, including all required signatures. A medical professional such as, but not limited to, a physician, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapist, nurse, medical case manager or social worker MUST sign the referral form. 

Individuals cannot receive any piece of equipment without the consent of one of the medical professionals listed above.

Once the request form has been filled out and signed, contact Sara Agnew, Outreach & Referral Coordinator, to set up a time to retrieve the item. The Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral must be filled out in full at the time of pick-up.

Sara Agnew can be reached by e-mail at sagnew@bcfr.org or call her at (573) 874-1995, ext 160.

or

If you ONLY have a question about this item, fill out the information below. 

Raised Toilet Seat – BA 075

TO REQUEST this item, download and complete the Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral in full, including all required signatures. A medical professional such as, but not limited to, a physician, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapist, nurse, medical case manager or social worker MUST sign the referral form. 

Individuals cannot receive any piece of equipment without the consent of one of the medical professionals listed above.

Once the request form has been filled out and signed, contact Sara Agnew, Outreach & Referral Coordinator, to set up a time to retrieve the item. The Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral must be filled out in full at the time of pick-up.

Sara Agnew can be reached by e-mail at sagnew@bcfr.org or call her at (573) 874-1995, ext 160.

or

If you ONLY have a question about this item, fill out the information below. 

Walker (adult) – AM 048

TO REQUEST this item, download and complete the Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral in full, including all required signatures. A medical professional such as, but not limited to, a physician, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapist, nurse, medical case manager or social worker MUST sign the referral form. 

Individuals cannot receive any piece of equipment without the consent of one of the medical professionals listed above.

Once the request form has been filled out and signed, contact Sara Agnew, Outreach & Referral Coordinator, to set up a time to retrieve the item. The Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral must be filled out in full at the time of pick-up.

Sara Agnew can be reached by e-mail at sagnew@bcfr.org or call her at (573) 874-1995, ext 160.

or

If you ONLY have a question about this item, fill out the information below. 

Walker (adult) – AM 045

 TO REQUEST this item, download and complete the Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral in full, including all required signatures. A medical professional such as, but not limited to, a physician, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapist, nurse, medical case manager or social worker MUST sign the referral form. 

Individuals cannot receive any piece of equipment without the consent of one of the medical professionals listed above.

Once the request form has been filled out and signed, contact Sara Agnew, Outreach & Referral Coordinator, to set up a time to retrieve the item. The Assistive Tech Exchange Program Referral must be filled out in full at the time of pick-up.

Sara Agnew can be reached by e-mail at sagnew@bcfr.org or call her at (573) 874-1995, ext 160.

or

If you ONLY have a question about this item, fill out the information below.