The required credentials & funding are what set the agencies apart: Options is a certified residential, vocational, & transportation agency; Concepts is a licensed and certified residential ICF/IID agency. Any individual in Ohio with intellectual or developmental disabilities is eligible for our services. For ICF/IDD residential services contact us directly. For all other services, the process begins with the local County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Unsure of where to start? Contact us.
COI-CONNECTED, a subsidiary of COI, is a certified provider agency and complies with all Federal, State and local rules and regulations. The difference is that our work place utilizes a holistic approach to provide support for each individual’s choices. We work closely with the individual, his/her chosen advocates or representatives, and the County Board to develop a circle of support within the individual's ISP or "My Plan" to offer services that are tailored to enhance the abilities, vocational interests, and self direction of the individual. Each individual served will be assigned a trained staff member to attend meetings as required, work with and monitor the progress of each individual, and advocate for the necessary tools and availability of programs for the individual to achieve his/her desired objectives. The goals and objectives are those that are chosen by the individual and his/her family, guardian and advocates.
Our focus within the adult services/vocational model of services is to enable each individual to attain or maintain his/her maximum vocational productivity level. Coordination of resources with therapeutic resources and educational formats is integral to ensuring that each individual achieves greater independence in the vocational arena of life. Our programmatic modules are designed to meet each individual’s specific needs.
Daily activities in the non-vocational setting include such things as personal care, skill reinforcement, training in self-determination, recreation and leisure, and assisting the individual with self-medication,and/or health and therapeutic related activities, as well as, development of pre-vocational skill subsets.
Each individual entering into the vocational/employment program is assessed to identify his/her personal interests, strengths, and talents. It is a focus on the development of each person’s talents, strengths, and preferences that promotes personal growth. Autonomy increases independence and positive self esteem results.
It is the goal within the vocational habilitation arena to teach and reinforce habilitation concepts related to work including responsibility, attendance, task completion, problem solving, social interaction, motor skill development and safety. Activities include vocational assessment, ongoing job support, counseling and training for interpersonal skills necessary for the development of job skills, task development and participating in the work environment.
There are two services within the Supported Employment continuum of services available to the individuals: Supported Employment Enclave and Community Supported Employment.
SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT – ENCLAVE:
Individuals in this category generally work as a team at a single work site of a host community business or industry or in a designated setting at our facility with contract work. Training, supervision and on-going supports are provided by on-site staff.
Two types of enclaves are available:
SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT – COMMUNITY:
Community Supported Employment is provided to waiver enrollees in an integrated work setting where individuals with or without disabilities are employed to perform the same or similar tasks. COI works closely with area business to open workplace doors for those individuals for whom we advocate. This requires intensive contact and development of job availability throughout the business and industrial community.
Our role is to actively aid individuals to identify potential business and work opportunities, provide them the supports needed to be successful in the competitive employment arena, and give them ongoing counseling, guidance, supervision and support once employment has been established.
What is the minimum age for enrollment in adult services?
The rules developed by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities require a client in an adult services program be at least sixteen years of age.
After eligibility is determined, what happens next?
Our adult services intake team gives the individual and family/guardian the necessary forms to be completed and submitted. Once received, an intake interview meeting attended by the individual’s team members takes place to review the completed forms, meet the individual, answer any questions and to develop a vocational plan.
What happens when enrollment is approved?
First an acuity assessment and work place assessment by job are performed to determine the level of services, wages to be earned, if applicable, and transition training necessary for the individual. Then specific work placement is made based on individual choice and individual support needs identified through the assessment phase.
Be assured, each individual is carefully screened to identify personal and vocational interests, strengths, and talents. Our focus on personal talents, strengths, and preferences promotes personal growth. The result: autonomy, increased independence and positive self esteem.
What type of supervision is provided?
Our staff to individual ratio will vary according to the type of service, results of the acuity assessment, and the individual’s service plan (ISP).
How long is a work day?
To enroll, individuals need to agree to attend at least one day per week and preferably more. The length of a work day varies depending upon the individual and work assignment; however, typical work days are never less than five hours per day excluding transportation time.
What about transportation to and from the work day services?
Community Options, Inc. is a certified non-medical transport agency. We are able to provide for all transportation to and from an individual's worksite.
Where does COI-CONNECTED have available jobs?
Our job development is ongoing. As jobs become available, individuals choose jobs suiting their skills. Specific types of work may include sorting, collating, painting, ceramics, assembling, packaging, crafting, landscaping, parks and more. No jobs are guaranteed.
What is expected of the individual in the workplace?
Workplace rules exist for optimal vocational training and job development. Each individual must comply with medical, health, safety, vocational and behavioral objectives identified in the individual’s plan as approved by the individual’s circle of support and employer.
I’m receiving services from another agency, can I switch to Community Options?
Yes. There is freedom of choice for both residential and vocational placement. Speak with your SSA, if applicable, or contact our Adult Day Program Manager to set up an Intake/Assessment meeting.
What if I have other questions about Options adult services, where do I call?
Contact us at 513.398.8885. Press “0”. Simply tell our receptionist what you need and you will be connected to the right person.