Optional Rehabilitation Services Inc., (OPTIONS)
| About OPTIONS | Company Contacts | Our Background |
| Service Areas | Planning Services | Funding Mechanisms |
| Affiliations | What's New |
At OPTIONS, we believe in the rights of every individual and strive to promote, educate and advocate for these rights.
At OPTIONS, we believe that individuals need to explore opportunities in order to discover their potential and take a valued place in society.
At OPTIONS, we take an individual approach in planning services. We believe that flexibility is key and endeavor to create service situations that are attuned to an individual's needs.
At OPTIONS, we encourage input and open commmunication from an individual's relatives, friends and significant others so that the best possible service can be designed.
OPTIONS is currently involved in a number of service areas providing staffing support to a variety of individuals in their own homes as well as vocational and community support, monitoring and outreach support.
OPTIONS recruits qualified and experienced personnel with the individuals, guardians and/or families involved in the hiring ensuring compatible "matches" regarding skill areas, interests, etc.
Ongoing specialized training opportunities are made available to OPTIONS' personnel ensuring up to date skills and expertise are available to the individuals being served.
OPTIONS works closely with representatives from Alberta Family & Social Services, the Office of the Public Guardian, the Alberta Association for Community Living, various Community Based agencies and the community at large.
OPTIONS is a private company incorporated on August 7th, 1986. The owner of the company, Elaine Yost, is the Director of the company and as such has ultimate control and responsibility for the company in its operations. An advisory committee comprised of parents, consumers, professionals and lay people assists in the development of policies and procedures that affect the company in its work.
OPTIONS was formed for the purpose of creating a new service choice for people who wish to initiate innovative routes for the provision of services to people with complex service needs.
It is OPTIONS' belief that people who are disabled have the right to be treated with dignity; have the right to make choices; have the right to dignity of risk and have the right to live in the community.
It is our belief that those individuals who know the person best should have access and input to all decisions made about and with the individual. It is our hope that the relationship between parents/guardians, consumers and OPTIONS can be built on a joint commitment to supporting the individual in the most positive way possible; to openness in communication; to constructiveness and creativity in problem solving; and to a shared responsibility.
OPTIONS is currently involved in a number of service areas including:
- three homes for children/adolescents who are dependently handicapped; Currently funded through Alberta Family and Social Services, Contract Management & Handicapped Children's Services.
- providing residential support to individuals in their own homes. The focus to providing residential support has shifted away from the traditional "group homes" and at present this kind of situation typically involves two or three individuals sharing a house. Funding for staff support is obtained through Alberta Family & Social Services' Services to Persons with Disabilities, CIS (Community Inclusion Supports); and, in some situations, Handicapped Children's Services.
- providing day program, job and/or community support. As the focus to providing daytime support has shifted away somewhat from the "sheltered workshop" environment; not to mention the lack of space in such situations, Individualized funding has been utilized again to facilitate an individuals' inclusion in community based, meaningful daytime alternatives.
- monitoring residential placements placements funded by Alberta Family and Social Services. Increasingly, people with disabilities have moved into the private homes of individuals or families. The "service providers" operate as independent entities and OPTIONS may be contracted by Alberta family and Social Services to monitor the particular situation. Monitoring involves, among other things, ensuring that the service plan developed is being followed, recommending changes, and providing a liaison between the individuals, government and community representatives.
OPTIONS will often utilize the services of a "broker" in the funding application process. The broker's role in the initial stages of the application is to assess needs, funding eligibility and design a plan. A broker can be an integral part of the process by providing an objective view to situations.
OPTIONS believes that a very individualized approach must be taken in any planning that is done around an individual. We use a variety of tools in the planning process including Lifestyle Planning, and/or 24 Hour Planning. From this information a Priority Plan is developed which focuses specifically on the best possible supports for an individual. Periodic re-evaluation of the Lifestyle Plan occurs as a person's needs, wants and desires change through life.
During 1996, the department of Alberta Family and Social Services underwent some organizational changes. All the funding mechanisms (i.e. Individualized Funding, Contract Management, Individual Contract Funds) are now under the umbrella of "Community Inclusion Supports."
Individualized Funding has gone through a variety of incarnations but remains the primary funding source for most support situations in which OPTIONS is involved. This funding, obtained through Alberta Family & Social Services, Supports for Persons with Disabilities; originally appeared approximately 10 years ago developed from a "loophole" in the Social Allowance system. With the restructuring of the Community Inclusion Supports Program, Individualized Funding has been removed from the Social Allowance System. This has been of significant benefit to many individuals with disabilities as their AISH benefits remain unaffected. (Previously, AISH benefits were cut back if a person was receiving I.F.)
I.F. (Individualized Funding) involves a complex process. Individuals may or may not be receiving AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped). All possible "contract spaces" (ie contract funded group homes or other residential placements, contract funded day programs or alternatives) must be unobtainable by the individual. Applications are usually made with the assistance of a broker who works in conjunction with the Client Services Coordinator(s) from Alberta Family & Social Services. Individualized Funding is reviewed regularly and persons receiving such funds must continue to look for contract funded spaces. I.F. is technically viewed as a "last resort" method of funding.
Contract Funding, through Alberta Family & Social Services, is also utilized by OPTIONS in providing supports to children and adolescents in three homes. The contracts are negotiated on an annual basis and the parents/guardians are active participants in the contract itself.
Recently, a "sister" company has been formed. Optional Supports & Consulting Services Ltd., (OPTIONS PLUS) ,is a not for profit organization with a focus on supports to seniors, consulting, volunteerism, information seminars, project and partnership development.
Interactive Options is a new day program for children with multiple handicaps. Interactive Options began in the summer of 1996 and stresses inclusion, activity, participation stimulation and fun (!)
For other Internet resources, look at the Calgary Community Network's (dis)Abilities Special Interest Group
OPTIONS maintains affiliations with many community, provincial and national boards, organizations and committees
OPTIONS hosts practicum students from both the University of Calgary Rehabilitation Program and Mount Royal College Rehabilitation Program.
Web Services provided by the Calgary Community Network Association
This page is voluntarily maintained by John Bristowe and was last updated February 17, 1998