Services and Supports

SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

People Served | Medical | Vocational | Educational
Habilitative Services, Supports & Activities | Parent Association
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Through a variety of programs Marshall Habilitation Center seeks to promote living beyond limitations – building competence, independence and self-sufficiency for all individuals served. All services and supports fall under the guiding set of principles known as the certification principles. These principles are outcome statements describing the quality of life valued for all people, including those who have developmental disabilities. The individual’s choices are respected and supported in all phases of his/her life. This person centered planning approach empowers the individual to attain personal goals. It is an on-going process that drives services and supports that lead to autonomy and reflects individual aspirations.

PEOPLE SERVED
A developmental disability is a long-term condition that significantly delays or limits mental or physical development and substantially interferes with such life activities as self care, communication, learning, decision-making, capacity for independent living, and mobility. The person may be mentally retarded, autistic, have cerebral palsy, epilepsy, a learning disability, or other neurological handicap which originated during developmental years, that is, before the age of 22.

MEDICAL
Modern state of the art medical equipment allows for comprehensive services in the medical, nursing, dental, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy areas. Needs are also met through psychological services and recreational therapy in addition to religious nurture, social services and skills training. Additionally, a comprehensive dietary, maintenance, housekeeping and accounting staff provides excellent support and contributes to the habilitative processes of each individual.

recovery_room MHC employs full time physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, a dentist, and other health care providers and habilitative professionals to provide top-notch medical care. Additionally, ancillary services may be utilized as necessary from the treatment room, modern laboratory, pharmacy, x-ray and lab. State of the art equipment upgrades in 1996 through today include an x-ray machine and lab equipment, microscopes, a treatment lamp, bathing equipment designed specifically for people who are disabled, dental equipment, new hospital beds and rails, and vital and heart monitors. A new anesthesiology machine purchased in 1997 allows the center’s dentist to perform extensive dental procedures. The recovery room opened in 1997 is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and helps provide better medical coverage for people undergoing pre-operative and post-operative medical procedures that previously would have required hospitalization.

People in need of temporary medical care receive services in the infirmary. In cases of serious accidents or illnesses, MHC utilizes the emergency room at Fitzgibbon Hospital located in Marshall. In-patient hospital services are now available within the community when Fitzgibbon Hospital and MHC became partners in health care in 1997. The University Medical Center is also used for specialty consultations and when other specialized services are needed.

At MHC registered dieticians offer medical nutrition therapy which includes the assessment of nutritional status, diet plan formulation and counseling, and the provision of specialized nutrition therapies such as tube feedings and parenteral nutrition.

VOCATIONAL
Job skills, work habits, and attitudes are addressed through the vocational skills program which is accomplished through contract work for industrial and commercial businesses, crafts, a community recycling program and community/facility lawn care crews.

C&C Industries
nozzles A major purpose of the Marshall Habilitation Center is to bring each person to his fullest potential through individualized programming. Part of this programming is met through C&C Industries. C&C, which stands for Contracts and Crafts, helps to develop job skills, work habits, and attitudes to be used later in life by individuals who are mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. The contracts portion was started in 1988 with one vocational technician, two educational assistants, and 12 workers. It has grown to include three habilitation supervisors, five educational assistants, one developmental assistant, 50 full-time workers and a vast number of workers that work directly on contract work. Some of the services provided include making cardboard pallets, putting tips on concrete nails, packaging and shrink wrapping stationary, packaging aspirin and non-aspirin products, assembling of various types of products, engraving pencils, and making button logos.

The paper shredding operation of C&C Industries began as a way to save money on packing material. It has now expanded into a shredding and recycling endeavor that not only saves packing material expenses but also provides vocational training jobs, benefits the environment, and is a service to the community. Thirty local businesses and agencies are taking part in the recycling program. Between 10 and 12 tons of paper is handled monthly. The shredded and recycled paper is sold to recycling centers in Brunswick and Macon.

The craft portions of C&C Industries features handcrafted decorative and gift items. It produces woven goods, wooden products, and dried and silk floral arrangements. C&C Industries staff and clients have been displaying their products at a wholesale gift mart in the Kansas City area. Sufficient orders are generated through wholesale and retail markets to provide employment for approximately 90 client employees at MHC. Profits generated through C&C Industries, both from the sale of craft items and the completion of contracts, are used to meet the payroll of the client employees and purchase needed supplies.

Additional vocational training for some people is provided through participation in the local community sheltered workshops. Still others participate in the on-campus work programs that permit part-time work with Marshall Habilitation Center support departments such as maintenance and housekeeping.

EDUCATIONAL
The community provides educational services for those under age 21 through the public school system. If for some reason the person cannot attend classes in the community, an educational program is provided at MHC.

HABILITATIVE SERVICES, SUPPORTS, & ACTIVITIES
The highly individualized treatment plans vary based upon each person’s unique abilities and needs. Some programs might involve training, which allow individuals increasingly greater control over their physical environment. Better communication skills may be the focus of another part of the plan. Other people may need programs for self-help skills such as eating skills, tooth brushing, or dressing. Each plan, however, is based upon the certification principles and person centered planning.

The psychology staff handles assessing and establishing baseline information regarding challenging behavior. Behavior support plans are developed with input from the interdisciplinary team comprised of professionals from varying disciplines. These behaviors are dealt with, and positive behaviors are learned and encouraged.

counsel Other caring staff members provide a variety of services and supports for the people served by MHC. The social service staff acts as an advocate for the client and help with any problems that may arise. The staff chaplain provides encouragement and hope as the core of the religious nurturing program.

To fulfill the goal of reducing unnecessary restrictions in an individual’s life, a strong emphasis is placed on the development of social skills such as meal etiquette, purchasing, and use of community recreational facilities. Skills and abilities are first acquired through programs and then practiced in the community as well. These community awareness skills help prepare Marshall Habilitation Center consumers for living more independently in any community in which they may ultimately reside.

garden Consumers also cultivate life skills and individual social, mental, and physical therapeutic improvements right along with the beautiful gardens they help manage through a horticultural therapy program. The program has a greenhouse and 13 gardens located throughout the MHC campus.

The recreational therapy staff use sports and recreational activities not only to teach and develop physical skills, but also social and life skills concepts. While a wide variety of activities are offered on-campus. Everyone enjoys participation in off-campus outings, too. Bowling, basketball, softball, volleyball, fishing, track and field, social activities, holiday activities, community excursions, and shopping are all part of the MHC recreational therapy program. Each activity lends itself to the development of daily living skills and thus to community interaction. The building of baseball fields and the development of recreational facilities at the MHC Lake provide many hours of fun and enjoyment. MHC also participates in the Missouri Special Olympics program and is proud to have been instrumental in its organizational history and sponsor for the games for the first four years.

sports Special events and activities are part of the overall program to improve and enhance the abilities of the individuals. A colossal Christmas decoration and light display that began in 1995 has been expanded every year and provides a "Winter Wonderland" for the community as well as MHC. The annual Christmas pageant is always a highlight. Fireworks, fun, and games are a much-anticipated tradition for the Independence Day celebration. Week of Aging activities focus on the older population, and everyone is thrilled by the recognition received at the annual Sports Banquet.

PARENT ASSOCIATION
Parents, relatives, guardians and friends of individuals served at MHC play an important role at the center through the Parents Association. The non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian organization is involved in assisting the administration in the advancement and general welfare of the individuals and keeping the parents and general public informed in areas of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

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