Every organization is full of acronyms that can confuse the general public. Bona Vista Programs is not exempt, and the names of some of our amazing programs are a mouthful. I’m going to break down three of them so you’re more familiar when you hear them in the news, get our e-mail newsletter or when you come to work with us (hint, hint)!
Community Based Habilitation – Individual, CHIO, is a goal-based program that provides services outside of the home that support learning and assistance in the areas of: self-care, sensory/motor development, socialization, daily living skills, communication,community-living and social skills with the intention of building relationships. For example, attending a Kokomo Jackrabbits game, going to the fair, volunteering in the community, etc. Not sure you could handle it? Have you ever taken anyone with you to the grocery store? Yes? Then you can handle it! Essentially, you’re just taking one of the amazing people we serve with you out in to the community, which is something you’re doing already!
Participants Assistance and Care (PAC) Services are provided in order to keep participants successfully living in their own homes, functioning in their communities and avoiding institutionalization. Activities include daily living, mobility, prompting, reminders, supervision and monitoring as needed to ensure health, safety and welfare. For example: shopping, bill paying, completion of task lists, etc. The majority of persons served in our PAC program just need a little extra help with day-to-day tasks – remembering how to use the washing machine, being reminded that brushing our teeth is something we do every day or that our lunch cannot consist solely of Doritos and Snickers (although I really wish it could!).
Respite (RSPO) Services are provided on a short-term basis in order to give temporary relief to the primary caregiver of individuals who are unable to care for themselves. Respite can be provided in the participants or caregiver’s home. Activities include assistance with toileting, feeding, grooming, personal hygiene, etc. Being someone’s primary caregiver 24/7 can be exhausting! If you don’t have a village to help care for your loved one, what do you do? Call Bona Vista Programs! We have (and always need more – another hint) people to come and sit with the people we serve through RSPO while the caregiver goes to the grocery store, gets their hair done, has lunch with a friend or whatever they may need a couple of hours out of the house to do.
Bottom line: CHIO, PAC and RSPO programs are designed to improve the lives of persons served by Bona Vista Programs to provide meaningful, engaging, community or in-home activities for children and adults who have a disability.
Now, what do you do with all of that information? Look around you! Who do you know who could use these services? The son of your neighbor who doesn’t go out in the community much because he has autism? Your co-worker caring for an adult child who could use assistance during the work day? Or, who do you know who would be a great employee and help the people we serve in one of these positions? Spread the word!
Call Brandi Vawter, Manager, CHIO/PAC/Respite at 765-454-5344 for more information, or go online to bonavista.org to check out the available positions and apply!
Until next time…keep a good view on life!
-AB