Article Title: Behavioral Health & Disability Supports

Behavioral Health Residential Supported Living Services are provided in Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties in shared homes or apartments.   These rehabilitative programs are designed to meet the individual treatment goals and needs of each member using team-based approach.  

The following 24/7 rehabilitative care services are provided as needed by the individual’s needs:

• Assistance and supervision of activities of daily living
• Maintenance of health and safety
• Communication and social skills
• Accessing community resources, vocational educational and recreational opportunities
• Help with transportation and arranging appointments with medical providers

Eligibility

• 18 years of age or older
• Eligible for MaineCare
• Primary diagnosis of behavioral health
• Ready for discharge from an institution, or recently discharged, or in need of a supported living environment

Contact

Please contact Aimee Kerrigan at (207) 478-9172 or akerrigan@penquis.org

Behavioral Health Home Organization provides individualized treatment plans for children and adults based on the client’s personal needs. These can include basic, mental and behavioral health and medical needs as well as housing, education, vocation, finance, socialization and development of natural peer supports.

Behavioral Health Home Organization (BHHO) is a collaborative, client-focused service that is offered in the home and the community, helping individuals to obtain long term recovery.

Services include:

• An individualized treatment plan based on the client’s personal needs.  These can include: basic needs, mental health needs and medical needs
• Works in connection with doctors and any other support provider in the client’s life
• Help to get social services, transportation, referrals and other supports
• Aims to reduce emergency room visits or hospital stays
• A team-building approach to care. The Health Home Coordinator works closely with a nurse, clinician, medical provider, and peer support specialist to best meet each client’s needs

Eligibility

For adults

• 18 years of age or older, who have a mental health diagnosis and MaineCare

For children

• 2 to 21 years of age, who have a DHHS approved mental health or intellectual disability diagnosis and MaineCare

To Enroll

For Adult’s BHHO services, please call Terry Bennett at (207) 270-2596.

For Children’s BHHO services, please call Sarah Gahagan at (207) 478-3908.

                   Funding for the program is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Behavioral Health Navigator helps new Penquis clients access needed mental health services and can find service providers with openings for pre-existing clients. Additionally, The Behavioral Health Navigator can refer to a center known as the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Bangor to address urgent mental and behavioral health needs in the short term.

For More Information: contact Aaron Withers via email at: AWithers@penquis.org or call: (207) 631-0073.

Community Supports Program provides a variety of choices to meet the needs of everyone.  Our Program, located in Dover-Foxcroft, is intent on building community relationships, natural supports and intentional matching with people of like interests.  Individuals meet up at a community location each morning and then spend their days in their local communities.

The program assists individuals with developing community living skills such as; personal safety, social interaction, budgeting, health, fitness, nutrition, volunteering, job skills and personal growth and development.  Activities include, but are not limited to, local shopping, exercise at the YMCA, local parks and/or hiking trails, volunteering at a number of community locations, Bingo, and dining out.

All groups focus on maintaining current abilities, increasing self-esteem and building relationships in their local communities.  Each group is assembled based on the needs, abilities and interests of the participants.

Art expression is a very important part of our Community Supports program.  Community member participation is encouraged and welcomed.  Concepts and techniques of art are taught by using step-by-step guidance, which encourages freedom of expression and improves self-esteem, in addition to developing other abilities.  Artwork is often reproduced, marketed, displayed and offered for sale, with the artist being compensated for their work.

Telehealth Service are offered weekly.

Eligibility

• 18 years old or older
• Diagnosis of Intellectual or Developmental Disability/AXIS II
• Eligible and approved for MaineCare Home and Community Based Waiver or have private funding
• Able to maintain a stable/safe behavior during program hours
• Able to comply with referral and admission process
• Have transportation available

Policies

The Community Supports program follows our Community Involvement Policy developed to comply with the Home and Community Based Settings (HCBS) Rule. The policy addresses the following:

• Commitment to supporting persons served to have regular and varied opportunities in the broader community that match their interests and goals as outlined it their person-centered plans
• Updating and sharing of positive personal profiles to ensure personnel are knowledgeable about the capabilities, interests, preferences and needs of persons served
• Quarterly information sharing with person served of their rights
• Flexible supports and scheduling to account for anyone working
• Development of daily activities to meet person served desires and interest
• Routine discussions regarding transportation options (for services, employment and community activities)
• Mobility training/support and Assistive Technology for person served as deemed necessary
• Commitment to an ongoing process of self-analysis and improvement
• Training of staff on all policies with re-training occurring, as needed, to ensure policy and procedures are followed correctly and consistently.

Other policies developed to comply with the HCBS Rule.

• Managing and Safekeeping of Personal Financial Resources Policy
• Intake-Admission Policy
• Person Centered Care Policy
• Personal Initiative Policy
• Community Involvement Handbook

All policies are available in the links below.

For more information, contact Christine Rice at: crice@penquis.org or at (207) 924-4151.

Funded in part by the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services. 

Rehabilitative and Community Support Services for Children with Cognitive Impairments and Functional Limitations (Section 28) provides children with a mental health diagnosis or cognitive impairment with a behavioral health professional (BHP) who helps to increase each child’s level of functioning and improve behavior in the home and community. The program includes involvement of parent/guardians and natural supports. 

Rehabilitative and Community Support Services for Children with Cognitive Impairments and Functional Limitations (Section 28) services are provided one-on-one to a child in his/her home or community setting to improve behavior and foster skills to increase each child’s level of functioning and decrease maladaptive behaviors.  Our success relies on active involvement of the family, parent/guardians and natural supports in this process.

Eligibility

• Children from birth to age twenty
• Eligible for, or covered by MaineCare
• Diagnosis of mental health, cognitive impairment, or significant functional limitations
• Behavior that cannot be managed by parent/guardian
• Physical, sensory, motor, or psychological impairments
• Trained staff must be available to meet at convenient times for the family

Services Provided

• Collaborate with the child’s family, school, therapists, case managers, other providers 
• Develop a comprehensive psycho-social assessment to improve:
  • Daily living skills
  • Behavior management
  • Coping skills
  • Time management
  • Social interaction skills                                                                            
  • Community integration skills
  • Self-esteem and self-confidence

For more information, call (207) 343-2140.

Assisted Living Services are offered to income eligible seniors and disabled adults.

Service include assistance with medication management, personal care and light housekeeping in their own private one-bedroom apartments managed by Realty Resources Management. All three facilities are licensed by the State of Maine and have 24/7 oversight. 

Each facility has a registered nurse consultant or Health Services Coordinator RN on staff who is responsible for the coordination and oversight of all aspects of medication administration. We are staffed with CRMAs, CNAs and PSSs.

Our cooks provide two nutritious meals per day- a large noon meal and a smaller supper. Residents are responsible for their own breakfast and snacks. All menus are reviewed and signed off by a registered dietitian annually. We have art, music, exercise and games offered weekly on rotating basis.

Transportation to and from appointments can be arranged.

Our staff take care to support individuals as they are adapting to a new environment and other life changes.

Service needs are based on a medical assessment done prior to moving in and every six months thereafter.

The rent is based on income and some apartments have Section 8 vouchers available. 

The cost for services is based on income and assets. 

We do offer private pay options for those whose income does not meet eligibility requirements. 

We have a Residential Services Director at each facility who is responsible that the Assisted Living Program is run within contract and regulation guidelines, staff is trained to ensure that residents receive assisted living services in a safe and supportive environment while maintaining the highest possible level of independence. 

Service Area

Penobscot and Knox Counties

Locations

Freeses Assisted Living in Bangor, Merry Gardens Estates in Camden, Stearns Assisted Living in Millinocket

For more information

Contact Christine Rice at (207-924-4151)  or crice@penquis.org

The Shared Living Program connects adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities with private families in a long-term residential living arrangement that fosters independence and sense of self-worth.  Shared Living providers offer guidance and coaching on daily living skills including personal hygiene, healthy food choices, scheduling for and transportation to medical appointments, meal preparation, and more.  Other support may include respite care, direct support, and training.

Host Families

Penquis contracts with an individual or family, referred to as a “host,” to provide a home and share their lives with an individual within a family environment.  In order for the placement to be successful, it is crucial that an appropriate match be made between the host and the individual.  This occurs through interviewing the host family and eligible individuals who desire this living arrangement.

Eligibility

• 18 years of age or older
• Diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability
• DHHS funding MaineCare Home and Community Based Waiver Approval Section 21 and 29

Once eligibility is determined, interviews occur to determine the client’s needs and desires.  The team then seeks out providers who best match those requirements.

Referral Process

Referrals for Shared Living can be made by calling Division Manager Christine Rice at (207) 924-4151.  We encourage referrals from individuals, family members, the medical community, case managers, and service providers.  Once the referral is made, an interview is scheduled.  The intake procedure involves gathering all the data necessary to determine the best living arrangement and provider type.

Become a Shared Living Provider

To begin the qualifying process contact Division Manager Christine Rice at (207) 924-4151 or crice@penquis.org.  An application packet will be sent to you which gathers personal and background check information to help us get to know you better.

Funded in part by the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Domestic Violence Intervention Program Classes for Men (DVIP) are designed to educate men about the dynamics of power and control and help participants to decrease the use of violence in relationships.  This is an educational class that works to create growth and change in behavior.  The goal is to provide an opportunity for the participants to recognize and change their controlling and/or abusive behaviors, improve the quality of their own lives and those around them.

What are Domestic Violence Intervention Program Classes for Men?

This program was designed to educate men about abusive behaviors brought on as a result of male privilege and to help them find alternative ways of managing abusive tendencies.

Through education, men receive the tools and resources to make changes in their lives, and the lives of their families.

If you want to learn the effects of domestic violence on your children, improve your communication skills, and cope with family issues without the use of violence, this is the class for you!

Who should attend?

• Any Man
• Court Referrals
• PFA Referrals
• DHHS Referrals
• Probation Referrals
• D.A. Referrals
• Counselor Referrals
• Self Referrals

For More Information and to Apply

Please call (207) 876-6210 or email jclarke@penquis.org.

Class Requirements

• • Intake fee and weekly class fee vary and depend on sliding scale for those who qualify
  • Participation in 48 weekly classes
  • Compliance with class policies

Domestic Violence Intervention Prevention Classes for men are made available through a collaborative of Penquis and Partners for Peace.  Working together to build stronger communities and safer futures.