About Higginsville Habilitation Center (HHC) and Northwest Community Services (NWCS) Location Employment Opportunities and Benefits Parent Association Staff Development and Training Visits, Tours, Internship Services Provided Department of Mental Health

Higginsville Habilitation Center History, Mission, Philosophy, People Served, Home Page History On June 1, 1956 the Higginsville Habilitation Center (HHC) opened its doors to support individuals with developmental disabilities who require intensive habilitation and behavior supports in order to return to community settings.  HHC is one of six state operated residential facilities administered by the Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD), Missouri Department of Mental Health. We provide specialized residential support services for the Kansas City and Albany Regional Centers, which constitutes part of the North District of the Division of MRDD, and primarily serve more severely disabled, behaviorally disordered, court or criminally committed, and/or medically fragile individuals.  We employ approximately 475 professional and para-professional staff who provide a full range of services and supports, including medical, dental, nursing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, recreational, social, life skills and vocational development.   Individuals residing at HHC live in one of three cottages or six group homes located on 150 acres. (Back to the Top) Mission The mission of Higginsville Habilitation Center is to provide an environment where each individual can maximize their potential, leading to independence as a full member of society. (Back to the Top) Philosophy The Higginsville Habilitation Center believes in the worth of all individuals and their ability to participate as a full member of society.  It is our goal to develop an environment where every person can develop the skills necessary to be a fully participating and productive citizen.  Through quality treatment and habilitation we promote the development of behaviors, attitudes, and skills necessary for total community integration. (Back to the Top) People Served The Higginsville Habilitation Center serves individuals with developmental disabilities.   A developmental disability is defined as a long-term condition that significantly delays or limits mental and/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. (Back to the Top) Northwest Community Services History, Mission Statement, Philosophy Of Individual Supported Living, Frequently Ask Questions, Home Page History Northwest Community Living is the outgrowth of a concept developed by concerned parents and the staff of Higginsville Habilitation Center.  It was made possible by Missouri’s Home and Community-Based Waiver. Dedicated to providing the support necessary for individuals with developmental disabilities to live outside an institutional setting, the Northwest Community Services Unit was established as an integral part of Higginsville Habilitation Center’s organizational structure. Existing staff, chosen by the persons and their guardians, were used to support people who had moved into their own homes, starting in December of 1991. Since then it has grown to be the supporting agency for more than 50 individuals of Missouri, living in their own homes, in Higginsville, Independence, Warrensburg, Corder, Lexington, and Blackwater with more than 130 staff. (Return to the Top) Mission Statement of Northwest Community Services The mission of Northwest Community Services is to teach beneficial skills and provide supports to people with developmental disabilities who live in their own home in the community so that they live in a home environment with two or less roommates of their choice; participate in making decisions that affect their home, staff, and life; have valued roles with families, friends, and co-workers; are involved in their community; are/feel safe, healthy, and secure in their homes; express their beliefs, values and cultural identity free of criticism and are supported to achieve all goals and dreams while experiencing individuality in their daily lives; have a lifestyle that fits their needs, rather than schedules dictated by the needs of others; have the opportunity for lifestyles based on a natural rhythm of outcomes in natural environments, rather than “performance objectives” that are regulated by others; experience excitement in life with fresh possibilities each new day. (Return to the Top) Philosophy Of Individual Supported Living Individualized Supported Living (ISL) is a way of empowering a person to develop and enjoy a lifestyle, as determined by that person and his/her advocates. A person lives in their own home in the community with people he/she chooses and with the paid support staff they need and choose. A successful home situation is person-centered and is built on the present and future needs and desires of the individual that is receiving the supports. This entails a commitment to provide supports for maintaining a chosen lifestyle, and also, a commitment to train the person in developing the skills necessary to make informed choices and decisions. (Return to the Top) Frequently Ask Questions WHO MIGHT BECOME INVOLVED IN NORTHWEST COMMUNITY SERVICES? All the people living at Higginsville Habilitation Center and those referred from the Albany and Kansas City Regional Centers and other agencies have the option of choosing the Northwest Community Services. It really is a matter of choice for the individual and his/her parent or guardian. We currently support people living in Johnson, Lafayette, Jackson and Cooper counties in Missouri. (Return to the Top) HOW WILL I BE SURE THAT THE LIVING ARRANGEMENTS ARE SAFE AND APPROPRIATE? The first safeguard is the involvement of the person, their parent/guardian and advocates in the selection of the home. After a potential property has been selected, it will be inspected to assure that it is a safe home. Key factors include: · Fire extinguishers in appropriate locations · Smoke alarms in appropriate locations · Two exits from the home exist These minimum requirements are insured by Regional Center staff and staff of Northwest Community Services. The continued maintenance of these requirements will be accomplished through monitoring by Northwest Community Services, the Regional Center, the persons living there and their advocates. (Return to the Top) HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL LIVE TOGETHER AND HOW MANY HOMES OR APARTMENTS CAN BE LOCATED IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD? We try to accommodate people’s choices in how many persons they want to live with, but under no circumstance can the total number of persons living together exceed three. Also, neighborhood selection is a choice of the people being served and their advocates; however, we do discourage congregating housing in a single neighborhood or using more than 25% of any apartment complex. (Return to the Top) WHAT ARE THE QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES TAKEN AND WHO MONITORS THE SERVICES PROVIDED? Individualized Supported Living services are monitored by (1) the person being served, (2) advocates of that person, (3) the Northwest Community Services staff, and (4) the  Regional Center.   The Division of MR/DD has developed a set of Certification Principles by which the person’s quality of lifestyle is the primary consideration. There are many principles and specific outcomes that will be pursued. Some of these outcomes will take time and experience to attain. Others, such as those pertaining to health, safety and welfare, are required to be met at all times. The agency is reviewed regularly by the Medicaid Waiver Certification Review Teams. This includes surveys by Division Certification Consultants, Peer Surveyors, as well as representatives from MOAID, a parent and consumer review team. Northwest Community Services encourages employees and people we support to be a member of the State Certification Team and currently has five credentialed team members. (Return to the Top) WHAT IS NORTHWEST COMMUNITY SERVICES’ ROLE IN SUPPORTED LIVING? We function as a contract agent of the Division of MR/DD to provide community and habilitation services. These services are defined in the individual’s Personal Plan. We will be responsible for providing support to persons in the selection of housemates, housing, employees support staff, and supervision of the employees. (Return to the Top) WHAT SERVICES DOES NORTHWEST COMMUNITY SERVICES PROVIDE? Northwest Community Services provides services, both within itself, as well as utilizing Higginsville Habilitation Center and community resources. Currently, Northwest Community Services employs an RN, two LPN, Psychologist, and maintenance personnel, in addition to the professional supervisory staff. Supports in the areas of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech, Dental, and Dietary are available when needed. Within their communities, people are supported in paying their bills, shopping, choosing a doctor, getting involved in community organizations, attending churches, choosing friends and are assisted in developing a Personal Plan that promotes self-esteem and self-determination. (Return to the Top) WHAT IS THE REGIONAL CENTER’S ROLE IN INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORTED LIVING THROUGH NORTHWEST COMMUNITY SERVICES? The Kansas City Regional Center provides case management for all persons receiving ISL support services from Northwest Community Services. This will include budget review, review and monitoring of the Personal Plans, as well as assisting Northwest Community Services in attaining the Certification Principles. A Service Coordinator will visit each person on a monthly basis and review the Plan progress and observe and talk with the individual about their satisfaction. The Service Coordinator will also view the home to insure that a clean and safe environment is being maintained. This is in addition to the QMRP supervision that is provided by Northwest Community Services. (Return to the Top) HOW IS SUPPORTED LIVING PAID FOR? Persons receiving support through Individual Supported Living services pay for most or all of the expenses that they are able to afford. Generally speaking, if the person is unemployed and living on social security benefits and/or supplemental security income, they will be able to pay their share of the housing/living costs and personal expenses. Staffing supports costs are paid through state appropriations and Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver reimbursements. (Return to the Top) IF MY SON/DAUGHTER/WARD AND MYSELF ARE INTERESTED IN INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTED LIVING, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? You should contact the appropriate Regional Center or our Community Services Coordinator, who will explain the entire process and answer all of your questions. (Return to the Top) WHAT IS THE GUARDIAN’S ROLE IN SUPPORTED LIVING? One of the exciting attributes of Individualized Supported Living support services is that it allows the guardian participation in assisting and supporting their son/daughter/ward’s chosen lifestyle. We request and encourage your participation in living companion selection, home selection, selection of staff, and continued involvement in the ongoing decisions. CONTACT LIST: Robin Koenig/Community Services Coordinator (Return to the Top)