Caring For and About
There is a difference you know. When we speak about providing care “for” someone, it means providing assistance with activities of daily living both in the home and community. For individuals with disabilities much of these “caring for” are provided by family. Some “caring for” services are also provided by CLS staff and direct care professionals who are paid to provide specific services.
“Caring about” is to be concerned about an individual’s quality of life, well-being and happiness not just for today, but well into the future. “Caring about” typically occurs when there is a love connection. Although not limited to family, it is most often parents and siblings who care the most about the future of a loved one. But what happens when Mom and Dad are no longer “in the picture” due to advanced age or death, and siblings are not available to take the lead? This is what keeps many of us awake at night.
What then??
The answer lies in having a supportive community that respects a disabled person’s need for autonomy and self-determination, but will also care about their future, respect family traditions, and their overall well-being. You cannot find such a community by doing a Google search. You must create one. The good news is resources exist to help you! The following YouTube video was created by the Illinois Association Microboards and Cooperatives, a project of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_7AJkLG2lk.
Microboards and Cooperatives are not new, nor are they for everyone. However, they are options that can address the unique needs of each individual. And they help connect supportive individuals who "care about" a person with disabilities.
If you would like to learn more about Microboards and Cooperatives and how they can work in tandem with Self Directed services please give me a call, send me a text, or an email.
Steve Johnson, President
steve@oasiscommunity.info
(616) 212-6833
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Missed the Housing Support Program on January 18th on Housing Options for Low-Income and Disabled Persons?
Link below to access the PowerPoint presentation.
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Save The Date!
Oasis Sponsored Parent/Guardian Meet Ups!
Monday, February 20th, 5:30pm
@ the City Built Brewing Company
820 Monroe Ave NW #155, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Join in on the parent/guardian get togethers! Sometimes having a relatable person to share your struggles and celebrate successes can make all the difference!
Oasis is scheduling parent/guardian get togethers monthly with the next one scheduled for Monday, February 20th, 5:30 pm @ the City Built Brewing Company, 820 Monroe Ave NW #155, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Yes! Summer is Around the Corner! Oasis Camping @ Pioneer Park August 10 - 13th
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We are planning our annual camping trip!! We camp with our own equipment on our own sites and get together for fun, games, and laughs. This year we are camping at Pioneer Park, north of Muskegon.
Typically, we need to get reservations made during January or February to get enough sites. Tentatively we are designating sites 166-178, 205, 204, 200, 198, 196 for our group. If you are interested in participating, make your reservations now & let Camille know at clieffers76@gmail.com that you are coming.
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Oasis Advocating For Those with Higher Needs - Housing
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Did You Know? People with disabilities (PWD), constitute the largest minority group in United States, and in the United States.
Also: PWD also represent the most diverse minority ranging from what is termed an “invisible” disability (one that cannot be determined by a person’s appearance) to those who are invisible due to the extent of their disability.
Why Didn't I Know This? For this second group, think of those with disabilities significant enough to restrict their presence in the community. These are the “Invisibles” who are “out of sight” and therefore “out of mind.”
The Main Issue: As hard as it is to find affordable, disability accessible, community-based housing in today’s marketplace, it is even more challenging to find housing options for individuals who have disabilities requiring a higher level of support.
Oasis Community, from our inception, has maintained that most individuals, regardless of limitations placed on them by their disability, should be allowed to seek housing options in the setting of their choice within their communities.
We believe if they are “appropriately supported” in their new housing the likelihood of a successful transition to independence is greatly enhanced.
Understanding the Main Needs: In December 2022 Oasis Community hosted three virtual meetings involving individuals with higher support needs and their families. The purpose of these calls was to begin a conversation about what common concerns exist among this group and how best these needs might be met.
Info Raised From These Calls:
- 26 registrations were received for 3 scheduled calls. 19 attended and 17 responded to the questions presented at time of registration.
- When asked their timeframe for moving: 50% of participants stated 1-2 years. 31% were within 3-5 years and 19% were undetermined.
- Options for the type of housing preferred: 18% apartment. 18% condo. 24% house. 40% “other”.
- Asked about renting, owning or a Multiple Family Partnership (MFP) 24% preferred to own. 29% chose to rent and 47% opted for an MFP.
The survey’s first question was for respondents to identify 3 greatest concerns regarding their disabled family member’s move to a place of their own. The second question was to list 3 “MUST HAVES” for the move to take place. The responses we received provide evidence housing options for individuals with higher support needs will only be successful if they provide sufficient evidence the following concerns are addressed.
MUST HAVES:
- Quality Support Staff present in sufficient numbers to meet current IPOS needs and contingencies.
- Safety and Supervision provided, as needed, by each individual.
- Protection from Abuse Overnight Health and Safety as part of 24/7 care need
- Meaningful Activities chosen by individuals and appropriately supported by CLS and direct support staff.
- Community Inclusion
- Personal Growth Opportunities supported by DSP and CLS staff as per IPOS.
- Friendships and association among peers and within the community.
- Clean and Safe Environment
- Privacy of own room and bathroom facilities
- Affordable and Disability Accessible Housing Options
All the above point to the need for high quality Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Community Living Support (CLS) staffing that are competitively compensated, professionally trained and responsive to the needs of those they serve.
We are planning future calls that will focus on…
- Successful examples of transitions to community-based housing options
- Pros and Cons of Group Homes or AFC facilities
- The formation of Multiple Family Partnerships
- Selection of Self-Directed Services: Advantages and Challenges
- Using a Supports Broker to Build and maintain a professional support team
- Using Family Co-Ops to expand Circles of Support
If you would like to participate in these calls or would like to suggest a topic we should focus on, link below to contact Steve Johnson.
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Who are the Oasis Voyagers? They are our first group of 9 young adults living on their own in Grand Rapids and working with Polly, their Community Builder.
At the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Alex and Anthony shared the same favorite sculptures. They loved the bunnies, and the sculptures that doubled as a man and woman. While in our walk in the sculpture park we entered a barn and tried to guess the name of the tools and their purpose. Some of them we got correct and others we didn’t. In one of the sculptures pictured Alex is surprised and scared; when Anthony said, “Alex someone is watching you” she jumped in shock.
At wine night the gang had lots of goodies and played Loaded Questions. Everyone was all smiles and laughter throughout the night. One of our quotes from the night was "Oh man I needed this! " We are so glad that that we can get together.
The gang met at the mall carousel and then enjoyed the film, “A Man Called, Otto". It was a tear jerker with many tearing up. “I cried several times!!!” said Kristen. Everyone agrees unanimously that it was a spectacular film.
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Lunch & Learn Series:
Disability Education
In partnership with the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and Lowell Arts, ACT invites you to their free Lunch & Learn series!
Join in the ACT studio for these Lunch & Learn Series! Each session they will focus on an important disability-related topic. They have invited informed guest speakers on each topic to both share their knowledge and deepen our conversation with the goal of becoming more informed about disabilities.
Upcoming Lunch & Learn Series for February:
February 8, 2022 Topic: Transition & Workplace Readiness -- Bringing Work Skills Into Programming
Guest Facilitator: Dirk Bakhuyzen, Executive Director of Beyond26
February 22, 2022 Topic: Adaptive Equipment and Physical & Severe Multiple Impairments
Guest Facilitator: Todd Jones, Instructional Coach for Kent Intermediate School District
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CLS WORKER NEEDED: For two mildly disabled young men who live together in a condo in Grandville. They need the services for 7 to 10 hours per week total with a little supervision for cleaning, finances, and cooking. Please contact David Weemhoff, the father of one of the young men, for more information. Interested? Please email David Weemhoff at DWbiker@aol.com 616.485
9250.
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Oasis COVID Guidelines
For any in-person event, please follow these guidelines.
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- If you are vaccinated, masks are optional.
- If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask at all events.
- If you are not feeling well, please do not attend any in-person events.
- Regardless of your vaccination status, if you have been exposed to someone with COVID, wear a mask at any event for at least 10 days after the first exposure. Consider testing for COVID at day 5 after the exposure.
- In the event you test positive for COVID, you may not attend any in person events for 10 days after the start of your symptoms. You may resume attending after 10 days if your symptoms are improved or resolved or you have tested negative.
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We are truly grateful for your donations and all you do to help Oasis move forward in our mission to secure a self-determined life for our disabled community members.
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Are You a Member & Need Assistance?
Oasis is proud to announce that one of our board members, Helayne Sherman, is offering her services to help members navigate DHHS and Social Security systems.
Finding answers can be time consuming and frustrating. Helayne has 10 years of experience working with the Social Security Administration and DHHS on behalf of several family members and friends. Although not an attorney, she offers her experience, advice and help to Oasis members as a free service.
Please don't hesitate to reach out -"You don't know what you don't know" Helayne's email is: heartdoc18@gmail.com.
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