PERSONAL CHOICE
Goal: To clarify the framework in which we respect personal choice but also uphold the standards of the community.
Expectation: Resident choice must be made according to safety and community standards.
Casa de Amma believes that all residents have the right and inherent dignity to direct their own lives and make personal choices that best fit their goals and desires. At Casa de Amma the residents are the driving force for their Individual Program Plan. Their dreams, goals, preferences and desires are of the utmost importance and consideration when an IPP is determined. It is also recognized that at Casa de Amma personal choice must be balanced with the mission and values of Casa de Amma. If personal choice conflicts with the safety of self or others then safety must govern the choices. Each resident has the right to make their own decisions, but in order to be part of the Casa de Amma program and community personal choices must be tempered by the safety and dignity of self and others. Casa de Amma believes that while each resident has the right to his/her own choice, the best plan is only known after considering the residents desires, the family’s considerations and the staffs’ input. It is when all three of these systems are in line and fully considered that the best plan for the resident can be determined and implemented. Casa de Amma is a living environment for adults with disabilities who want to be at Casa de Amma. It is critical that the resident agree to live at Casa de Amma and cooperate in a positive manner with their IPP

COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
Goal: To clarify the expectations of social relationships within the community.
Expectation: We expect everyone at Casa de Amma to be kind and respectful in all interactions.
Casa de Amma is a community within a community. We strive to support each resident as they foster genuine friendships in a structured environment. The staff supports each resident as we work to maintain an environment of mutual respect and kindness. Casa de Amma does not expect each resident to be friends with everyone living at Casa de Amma. However, we do expect everyone at Casa de Amma to be kind and respectful in all interactions. We have created a policy describing inappropriate behaviors in public areas at Casa de Amma. If these inappropriate behaviors are exhibited then the offending resident will be asked to return to his or her apartment. Staff will discuss the inappropriate behavior with the offending resident and assist him or her in understanding why it was inappropriate as well as what other appropriate behaviors would be. Families will be notified of inappropriate behaviors.
If inappropriate interactions continue we will meet with the resident and family to discuss an individual plan to address the inappropriate actions.

PARENTAL/FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Goal: To clarify the expectations for parents and family by the community.
Expectation: We expect parents and family of a resident at Casa de Amma to be involved with the resident and staff. We expect that the parents and family will be available to review IPP’s and discuss issues as needed.
Casa de Amma highly values parent and family involvement. We strive to involve the family in all aspects of the residents IPP. Parent and family feedback is highly regarded and utilized whenever possible. Feedback from families is welcomed and requested. The main contact for families regarding resident issues and the IPP is the Executive Director and/or Program Managers. Parents are asked to meet with staff, either in person or over the phone, during IPP reviews 2 times a year. Parents are encouraged to speak with the appropriate staff as any issues arise. If a resident is not following their IPP the parents/family are required to work with staff to assist in what is needed for the resident to follow their IPP. Families must agree to work cooperatively and willingly with the Casa de Amma staff and in conjunction with the philosophy of care.

EMPLOYMENT
Goal: To clarify the expectations for employment and meaningful activity by the community.
Expectation: We expect that each resident has at least 3 days of meaningful activity in their current schedule.
Casa de Amma believes that employment is essential for a meaningful life. We strive to assist each resident in obtaining a paying job that allows them to use their skills and passions in a dignified environment. In addition to obtaining job placement, job developing is done by Casa de Amma staff with the assistance of the Department of Rehabilitation. Once a job is secured, Casa de Amma staff acts as a case manager to oversee Department of Rehabilitation job coaching. Casa de Amma staff supplements job coaching as needed and offers interface with the resident, coworkers and managers. If a resident isn’t currently able to obtain a paid position, a volunteer job is encouraged and sought. We expect that each resident has at least 3 days of meaningful activity in their current schedule.

NUTRITION
Goal: To clarify the expectations for residents to follow nutrition guidelines determined by the family and community.
Expectation: We expect that each resident will work with staff to adhere to a healthy diet.
Casa de Amma believes that nutrition is essential to a healthy and vital mind and body. Our nutrition program begins with the dinners and breakfasts we serve. Each entrée and side option prepared at Casa de Amma strives to comply with a heart healthy 40-30-30 diet. We know our residents enjoy good food, and it is essential that we serve food that tastes good, looks good and is good for our residents. Our staff work with each resident on their individually tailored grocery lists and supports them in making healthy choices. Staff often works with the resident in choosing alternate foods that they enjoy and are also healthy for them. We understand that a healthy diet is a struggle for all of us, but we believe with support and education each resident can make better nutritional choices that will positively affect their health and mood. If a resident is unwilling to work with us to create and follow a generally healthy grocery list, Casa de Amma staff may consider discontinuing support with grocery shopping for this particular resident. This would only be done after consultation with the parents and family. Healthy nutrition choices while in the community are strongly encouraged and reinforced by staff.

EXERCISE
Goal: To clarify the expectations and opportunities for residents to exercise.
Expectation: We expect that each resident will work with staff to adhere to an exercise routine that fits their need and abilities.
Casa de Amma believes exercise is an integral part of each residents life. Exercise offers obvious immediate health benefits, a needed release for stress, and serves as preventive medicine for possible long term medical issues. We believe that proper exercise and nutrition is beneficial to every resident. To that end, we offer CasaFit, an exercise group offered 3-4 times a week, led by a certified personal trainer. In addition, we also offer a CasaFit support group which deals with nutrition education and support in a group discussion setting. Casa de Amma also offers numerous exercise enrichment groups throughout the week, including basketball, bike riding, water aerobics, yoga, Wii fit and water volleyball.

MEDICATIONS AND MEDICAL NEEDS
Goal: To clarify the role of the community in medical support for each resident and the responsibility of the resident to comply with prescribed medications. Expectation: Residents must fully comply with medications as prescribed by a Doctor.
Casa de Amma staff provides support for the medical care for residents. This includes coordination of doctor appointments and the resultant follow-up care. Casa de Amma does not have a doctor or trained medical personnel on staff. In the event of a medical emergency, we will call 911 and accompany or meet the resident in the ER. Staff will remain with the resident at the hospital until family is able to get to the hospital or the condition allows for staff to leave. Residents must fully comply with medications as prescribed by a Doctor. Staff supports residents in a variety of ways with medications; from monthly med checks to daily support with taking medications. An IPP is determined based on each residents needs. If a resident refuses to take prescribed medications such refusal could endanger such residents ability to remain at Casa de Amma. Residents who have essential medications are asked to have at least a 2 week extra supply on hand in case of natural disaster or emergency situation. These medications are rotated yearly by staff to ensure they don’t expire.

FINANCES
Goal: To clarify the role of the community and the resident in regards to finances.
Expectation: Residents will follow the finance plan as determine by the resident, family and community.
We support each resident with a personalized budget and financial plan, developed with their family, which is meant to allow them to live within their means. We offer support and training in budgeting, saving and discretionary spending. Our supervision of control of money, checkbooks and credit/debit cards is determined by the team- including the resident, family and staff. Some residents keep their cash and/or checkbook and/or credit/debit cards in a lockbox with the key kept in the staff office. This is done to help ensure the budget and financial plan is accurately followed by the resident.
When a resident has control of their money, we cannot force them to buy/not buy an item. If unbudgeted purchases are made, we will work to show residents the natural consequences of buying items outside of their budget.

PERSONAL SAFETY
Goal: To clarify the role of the community and the resident in regards to personal safety.
Expectation: A residents personal choice must ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Personal safety is of the utmost importance at Casa de Amma. A residents personal choice must ensure their safety and the safety of others. Some residents may be limited in where and when they can go out in the community on their own, without staff. This is determined by the resident, family and staff and is consistent with each residents IPP.
Generally, residents are discouraged from being in the community without staff after dark. However, each resident has an IPP that takes into account his/her level of independence and ability to be on his/her own.

FUTURE PLANNING
Goal: To clarify the role of the family in regards to future planning.
Expectation: We require that each family be prepared for this unforeseen possibility by creating a special needs trust and/or insurance policy to guarantee that the resident is cared for if a tragedy occurs.
Casa de Amma strives to ensure all details are accounted for in case of a family tragedy. We require that each family be prepared for this unforeseen possibility by creating a special needs trust and/or insurance policy to guarantee that the resident is cared for if a tragedy occurs. Casa de Amma requires verification that plans have been made by providing a copy of the basic information (such as who would be the primary decision maker, type of plan, etc.) for our own records.