SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM

OF

BAY AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES

1814 Franklin St. 4th Floor

OAKLAND, CA 94612

(510) 613-0330

CLIENT REFERRAL INFORMATION FOR SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM

Bay Area Community Services, provides a minimally supervised supported independent living program. This type of small group housing is designed to meet the housing support needs of emotionally disabled adults who do not require 24 hour live-in supervision.

Residents in the program live in apartments or houses (in groups of 4 to 6) leased or owned by the agency. The cost of the housing and all living expenses are shared by the resident in each unit. Specifically, the residents are responsible for paying the rent (which may include utilities) and the phone bill, buying and preparing food, cleaning, etc. Counseling and training in these areas are provided by staff assigned to each unit.

Essential counseling services are provided to the residents through a required weekly group meeting and individual counseling sessions. Crisis intervention services are available, but the primary psychiatrist or therapist is also to be available to the client at times or crisis.

The Supported Independent Living Program (SIL) is not suited to work with clients who are actively psychotic, excessively aggressive or current substance abusers. Therefore, the program cannot accept or work with clients who display these behaviors.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

The following factors are closely examined in determining whether or not a client is suited for the SIL program. Prospective clients should:

Have a psychiatric disability. This is defined as an emotional or mental problem that:

Has interfered with the persons ability to live independently in the community.

Has lasted or is expected to last a significant period of time.

Has led person to receive psychiatric treatment, either in an in-patient facility or an out-patient facility for a significant period of time.

Have Active Medi-Cal.

Meet Income Criteria: below poverty level and/or have SSI, SS, or SDI

Be 18 years of age, or older.

Be able to function within a minimally supervised setting and not require a great deal of supervision.

Maintain an ongoing involvement in a structured daytime activity (e.g. socialization center, school, volunteer job or paid employment).

Agree to regular visits with a psychiatrist for medications, or, if not taking medications, agree to see a psychiatrist at the recommendation of staff.

Able to take their own medication with a minimum of supervision.

Meet their financial responsibilities to the program and their roommates. This generally means that clients have steady income (SSI, SSA, pension or wages from work) and are able to manage their money.

Demonstrate a capability to care for basic everyday needs such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene and use of public transportation.

Demonstrate an ability to communicate and act socially appropriate with others. For example, clients should be able to: respect property and personal boundaries of others, have good impulse control and be accepting of people from different cultural, racial and sexual backgrounds.

Show personal motivation and commitment to self development and utilization of the program (clients are required to attend weekly group meetings and individual meetings as assigned by their counselor).

NOT have any of the following:

current drug or alcohol abuse.

A history of or propensity toward violent behavior towards others.

A history of or propensity toward fire-setting or destruction of property.

A history of serious criminal behavior.

A need for greater care and or supervision than can be provided in a minimally supervised setting.