Meridian Services' Independent Living Skills Services program offers training, care, and supervision to families and caregivers who have children or adults with disabilities living in their homes or in foster care settings. Independent Living Skills Services are centered in the consumer's home and in the community, as designed by the consumer, family, and case manager.

Our staff members meet with the consumer, family, case manager, and other interdisciplinary team members regularly so that expectations can be understood and met. It always has been a priority for Meridian Services to provide Independent Living Skills Services as unobtrusively as possible, by respecting the family culture, tailoring the program to family and consumer needs, and being flexible in individual schedule design.

Our Independent Living Skills Services program supports families in caring for family members so that they are able to remain in their family homes. We have designed these services to honor each family's routines, values, and hopes for their loved ones, while providing those we serve with goals and activities that foster as much independence as possible.

Developing a Plan

We offer a person-centered planning approach to all of our consumer's needs assessments. We are committed to getting to know the values of each person we serve. This consumer-directed approach to goal development allows individuals to realize their dreams.

We work closely with the people who know our consumers best, including their family members, spouses, friends, extended family, case managers, and primary care givers in order to develop the most comprehensive, meaningful plan to assist our consumers with attaining lifelong outcomes. These planning methods may include "Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope" (PATH) or "Essential Lifestyle Planning" (ELP).

Training and Services

The primary purpose of the Independent Living Skills Services program is to support consumers as they develop to their fullest potential, achieving the most normal lifestyle possible. Independent Living Skills Services are directed at the development and maintenance of community living skills and community integration. Services may include supervision, training, or assistance in self-care, communication skills, socialization, sensory / motor development, reduction or elimination of maladaptive behavior, community living and mobility. Our staff members reinforce achievement through praise to the consumer in a predictable, positive environment.

The Independent Living Skills Service program also provides assistance in supporting the consumer through administering medications, coordinating medical / psychiatric appointments, providing transportation, crisis intervention, assisting with housing issues, and making referrals to other professional services needed.