Peer Link Programs, Inc. presents to you the CIP program:

A major obstacle to successful community integration for individuals with learning and developmental disabilities is difficulty in transferring or generalizing skills learned in the classroom or in a typical habilitation treatment environment to that of the "real world". We have found that teaching and training is most effective when practiced under "real world" conditions and situations.

The Community Integration Program (CIP) at Peer Link Programs is a unique approach to developmental disabilities habilitation with provisions for both growth and ultimate independence, as well as, mechanisms for continued support and supervision in the community. This community alternative utilizes "real world" settings to teach and apply the skills needed to live and work successfully.

The overall goal of the Community Integration Program(CIP) is to provide active habilitation and ongoing support/assistance to persons with learning and development disabilities in their home, workplace, and the community. This program is designed to teach the skills necessary for community living and to continuously apply these skills in the natural, "real world" environment. Program members will be expected to demonstrate these skills.

Specific goals often include the following:

To develop the skills needed for self-management, and self-advocacy.

To assist each individual in developing productive leisure activities.

To develop and utilize appropriate social skills for improved social interaction with others.

To assist each individual in developing individual community and social support systems.

To assist each individual in their process of adjusting to life after habilitation.

To develop the skills needed to access the labor market or pursue vocational interest.

To assist each individual with personal budget and money management.

After an initial assessment to determine safety and other critical issues, individuals in the CIP program are offered the least restrictive environment, whether in a group with maximum supervision or in a group with minimal supervision. Support and assistance are tailored to the individual's needs

Services consist of non-medical care, supervision and socialization activities. Peer Link may assist the individual with such tasks as meal preparation laundry and shopping. Staff may also perform light housekeeping tasks, which are incidental to the care and supervision of the individual. Companion services may be scheduled on a regular, long-term basis for several hours a day. Services may be provided in the individual's own home, family home, or while the individual who lives in one of those settings is engaged in a community activity. Companion services are limited to adults (18 years of age and older). Other activities include going to movies, fishing, the beach, theater, going to the library, or shopping around the mall.

Respite care is a service that provides supportive care and supervision to an individual when the primary caregiver is unable to perform these duties due to a planned, brief absence, an emergency absence, or when the caregiver is available but unable to care for or supervise the individual for a brief period. This service may be provided in the individual's home, family home, foster home, hospital or nursing facility. Overnight respite services are aimed at supporting the individual for 24 hours periods, several days consecutively, while the primary caregiver is not available due to a planned absence or emergency.

SMHS are offered to reduce a recipients poor mental status, while providing support toward reaching individual potential. At Peer Link, Board Certified Psychologists and Social Workers focus on the unique treatment of psychiatric disorders and rehabilitation of impairments for all individuals, including persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

In-Home Supports are services that provide a member with four to twenty-four hour assistance from a support worker. The support worker provides companionship while in the community and may assist with or perform activities of daily living.

All services will be provided by Peer Link staff that is approved by the Department of Children and Families. Services are available for Medical Waiver Beneficiaries and private paying individuals. Please call the Peer Link office at 1-800-360-0355 or speak with your Waiver Support Coordinator for more information.