Contact Information
1509 Dublin Drive,
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Telephone: (301)593-0957
FAX: (301)593-0576
E-mail: or
Other Office Locations:
2509 22nd Stree, NE
Washington, DC 20018
Services Offered:
Family Support Services, Individual Support Services, Community Supported Living Arrangements, Residential Services, Respite Services, Transportation, Behavioral Support Services
Individuals Have the Following Types of Disabilities:
Mental retardation, Mental Disorder, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Blindness/Severe Visual Impairment, Deafness/Severe Hearing Impairment, Behavioral Problems, Epilepsy/Seizure disorder, Head Injury, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/Language Impairment, Cystic Fibrosis, other Neurological Impairment, and other undetermined disabilities
Number of Individuals Currently Being Served: 6
Ages Served: 1 year old to 20 years old
Home Region of DDA: Southern
Counties Served: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, Worcester Counties, and Washington D. C.
Year Established: 1989
Mission Statement
The Brotherhood and Sisterhood International (BSI, Inc) is dedicated to fostering the cultural, social and educational development of vulnerable children, youth, adults and families by initiating projects geared toward their development. To nurture and support children, youth, adults and families toward self-worth, dignity, stability and unity through advocacy, outreach, prevention and treatment services.
Unique or Distinctive Qualities
Services are rendered in the form of a Group Home, Alternative Living Unit (ALU), Community Services Living Arrangement (CSLA), Family and Individual Support Services (FISS), and Respite Services. The program is designed to provide residential services to youths 20 years and younger with Developmental Disabilities 365 days a year, 7 days per week utilizing competent and well-trained staff on a rotating shift basis. The habilitation programs are adapted to meet each child's physical, emotional, social and communicative needs. Licensed professionals with expertise in medicine, social work, nursing, psychiatry, psychology, physical therapy, counseling etc provide instructions according to recommendations in each child's Individual Habilitation and Educational Plan. The programs are provided in an effort to serve the individual's needs in accordance with her/his service funding plan and Individualized Service Plan.
Discuss How Your Agency Has Utilized The "Ask Me!" Survey Results.
BSI utilizes the survey to determine how the customer really feel about the services offered and provides an opportunity to make adjustment to its program that more adequately serve the needs of its customers.
The "Ask Me!" Survey Results is available for the general public
Describe your quality assurance practices, including any agency accreditations
BSI's quality assurance is a collaborative effort involving individuals supported, family members, and senior, middle and direct care associates. This plan includes information compiled from annual licensing surveys, case management reports, progress notes, regional office site visits, and previously completed quality improvement plans. A variety of data sources are reviewed to identify trends requiring focused quality improvement activities. Sources of data include BSI Inc. consumer satisfaction surveys, either externally or internally completed incident reports, observations, or interviews with individuals and staff. After interview, the data is used to identify problematic ares or areas to be assessed in deph. Indicators of acceptable performance are delineated and a methodology is used to achieve acceptable performance detailed. Action steps, timeliness, tasks and person responsible for completing the tasks is noted. The data to be reviewed are determined by the BSI Inc as a part of its overall quality improvement plan. A work plan which identifies what action steps wil be implemented, how they will be accomplished and how outcomes for people receiving support will improve will be developed. Feedback needs to address individual concerns as well as systemic trends with strategies for monitoring or re-evaluation is discussed. The plan establishes mechanisms for feedback to people implementing the plan and a follow up plan of monitoring or re-evaluation. This Action Plan identifies three areas to be assessed. 1) Health and Safety, 2) Behavior Management Program and 3) Employee performance.
How Does Your Agency Support People In Becoming Active Members Of Their Community?
BSI encourages staff to engage people in community activity. There are organizations like the Y.W.C.A and the Y.M.C.A where the staff takes the children for social activities. Bowling, movies, picknics, and out door cookings are also done in the park. There are also recreational activities which its counselors take the children to and also the children are encourage to volunteer in church and not for profit comapany ctivities which we encourage our children to participate in. Dancing to music from Africa, Caribbean and Latin America together with traditional American pop music for dancing and listening are also some of the activeities which the children enjoy greatly and BSI also offer story telling session. These activities assist the youth in socializing in community participation
Steps Individuals Must Take to Apply for Services
The Executive Director receives an 818 and Psychological Report from the Applicant. The Admission Committee will meet to determine if the applicant meets the "developmentally mental challenged" condition. If so, an Admission Application should be completed by the Individual's Social Worker. The Individual is brought in by the Social Worker to be interviewed by the Executive Director. If found appropriate for BSI's home, the individual is scheduled for admission.
Special Considerations/Comments: Emergency placement is often considered without going through the above formalities but then the Individual is observed for 2 weeks. If her/his mental condition is too extreme for a family setting, the individual is recommended for a more restricted environment and a 72-hour letter for his/her removal is sent to the Social Worker. One-On-One supervision is available upon request.N/A
Funding Sources: Developmental Disabilities Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Child Welfare Services
are in PDF. (The freely available