Philosophy

This organization provides opportunities for people with disabilities to live full, meaningful, and enjoyable lives.  Individuals who choose our services have a number of providers from which to pick, and we value and appreciate each person who has chosen our organization.  People with disabilities have varying degrees of ability, and a part of our purpose is to ensure that each person has the opportunity to express all of their abilities without constraint due to preconceptions about their particular disability.

We believe that each person served has the potential to become residentially and vocationally independent.  The degree to which the person served becomes independent is the decision of that person.  As an organization, we will assume a person can acquire a skill, and provide the opportunity to do so, before making the individual dependent upon paid staff, volunteers, family members or technology.  Regardless of the degree of disability, we pledge to strive to make each person’s dream a reality.

Mission/Vision Statements

Our mission statement of “Creating Opportunities and Supporting Success” means that as a service provider we offer opportunities for individuals with disabilities to choose training or support services in the setting they desire.  At Peak Community Services, success is defined by the person served rather than by a particular setting, type of training or level of support. 

Our vision statement of “Individuals Choosing the Life They Live” means that the level of integration, whether or not a person learns additional skills or has support services is the choice of the person served.

Core Values

Respect: 

Each consumer is a valued person.  We will support each person as he or she reaches for their dreams.  Persons served are to be treated with dignity.  Interactions are to be appropriate for the age of the person served.  Inherent in respecting the individual is a respect for the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and values with which each person enriches our organization.

Inclusion:

Persons served are to be given the opportunity to work, live, and recreate in settings where a majority of the participants are persons without disabilities. The level of inclusion the person wishes to experience is a decision to be made solely by that person.  Individuals will vary in the level of inclusion with which they are comfortable.

The level of inclusion may change over time, and training and supports are to reflect the current level of inclusion chosen by the person served.

Choice:

Persons who choose Peak Community Services have choices open to them in relation to work, living, and recreation programs and settings.  Every person is assumed to have the capability of living and working independently, the degree of independence realized is the choice of the person served.  The choice of the person concerning their level of involvement, location of training and supports, staff, and other factors will be honored to the extent feasible within the rules, budget, regulations, and standards by which the organization must operate.

Equality:

Persons who choose Peak Community Services are equal partners with staff as they pursue their dreams.  Staff interactions, choices offered, and the way training and supports are provided are to be conducted based on equal partners working together to achieve the dreams of the person served.

Opportunities:

Each individual who chooses Peak Community Services shall be provided with the option of selecting opportunities for personal growth and self expression. Paid work, integrated and congregate settings, typical routines, and tasks are all a part of offering the person served real experiences that enable the person to realize their dreams.

What It Is!!!!

Person Centered Planning is a process whereby persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their families direct the planning and allocation of resources to meet their own individual life goals.

The Person Centered Plan

Should be based on a person’s preferences, dreams, and needs.

Understands how a person makes their decisions.

Discovers what the person loves and dislikes.

Encourages and supports long-term hopes and dreams.

Understands what supports are needed for this lifestyle.

Is supported by a more short-term support plan that is based on what the person needs

Includes a range of supports including funded and community and natural supports.

Should be developed and update annually.

Challenges

Supporting individuals in finding their own personal balance between freedom of choice and the safety and the health of the individual.

Personal liberty and the expectations of society to conform to the social norms.

Encouraging individuals while avoiding coercion.

Sometimes what people choose is not possible.

What is the basis of this conclusion?

Is there a way to make it possible?

What are the most important elements of the choice being sought?

Can a satisfactory solution be reached?

What people choose may or may not be what they really want. Why?

Maybe it is all they really know.

Maybe it is a control issue.

Maybe if another choice is honored, this one would not be important.

Issues To Think About

Learn how people really want to live.

Compare how they currently live and how they want to live.

Constantly monitor health and safety.

Identify what does not make sense and strive to change it.

More Issues to Keep In Mind

No one has total choice in life; people with Intellectual Disabilities often have much less choice.

Everyone can make some choices; yet everyone wants supports with other choices.

Choices are not good or bad. They have good and bad consequences.

How Do I Fit Into the PCP Process?

You need to know how to document issues and concerns.

You need to know how issues and concerns are brought to the Interdisciplinary Team.

You need to know how to collect, assess, and report meaningful data for outcomes.

You need to understand the process for involving and their significant others in planning and the decision making process.

You need to understand the necessity of meeting the consumer's needs rather than your needs!

You need to remember that you work for the consumer!!!!!!!!