Contact Information
620-B Research Drive
Frederick, Maryland 21703-6619
Telephone: (301)663-8811
FAX: (301)663-0476
E-mail:
Web Address: http://www.communitylivinginc.org
Community Living, Inc.
Services Offered
Residential Services, Respite Care, Transportation, Day Rehabilitation Program, Family Support Services, Individual Support Services, and Community Support Living Arrangements.
Individuals Have the Following Types of Disabilities:
Mental retardation, AIDS, Autism, Behavioral Problems, Blindness/Severe Visual Impairment, Cerebral Palsy, Chemical Dependency, Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder, Deafness/Severe Hearing Impairment, Head Injury, Mental Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Orthopedic Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/Language Impairment, Spina Bifida, Other Neurological Disorders and other undetermined disabilities.
Number of Individuals Currently Being Served: 100
Ages Served: 21-82
Home Region of DDA: Western
Counties Served: Frederick County.
Year Established: 1979
Mission Statement
The mission of Community Living, a Frederick-based organization, is to provide full inclusion into community through residential housing and programs for citizens with Developmental Disabilities.
Unique or Distinctive Qualities
Community Living Strives to meet the residential needs of the individuals. Often these requires being creative in the structure. With a tight and expensive housing market Community Living has developed aggrements with families, HUD and unique arrangements so that all served live in safe, healthy and adaptable environments.
Community Living started a seniors program over ten years ago, before there was funding available. Community Living strongly believed in allowing its people to retire when they wished to and provide them with outings and activities that most seniors enjoy doing. In addition, its recreational program stretches the boundaries of individual sports. These are activities that they can do now and in the future. Many have gone sailing for the first time, learned to ice skate, kayaking and golf. These are all sports that will take them through the years.
Discuss How Your Agency Has Utilized The "Ask Me!" Survey Results.
The "Ask Me" results were received over the three years ago. Since then Community Living has instituted a system of quarterly reviews where the individuals get to express to their team what their desires are. Reality is that the housing market is tight and often their dreams are unattainable at this time. Every effort is made to meet their requests. If Community Living is unable to do so it is discussed at the next quarterly on the whys and how tos for the future.
The "Ask Me!" Survey Results is available for the general public
Discuss your quality assurance practices, including any agency accreditations
The Agency has an active Quality Enhancement Committee that meets on a bi-monthly basis. The committee is made up of individuals served by the Community Living, board members and all levels of staff. Family members have been invited to attend as well. The committee works on a milieu of issues involving quality services. Its Quality Assurance Plan is working document and updated during each meeting.
Community Living has taken part in The Council on Accreditation's consumer survey. The results highlighted that many good things were happening for its people and that they did get to orchestrate change in their lives.
How Does Your Agency Support People In Becoming Active Members Of Their Community?
Community Living's people participate in many activities that are happening in their communities. Many attend churches of their choice. Each home is encouraged to invite their neighbors over for picnics, to visit and to participate in neighborhood activities. They have helped to paint playgrounds, cleaned up roadways and parks. They participate in sports for the general public at the ice skating rink, bowling alley and play basketball on ateam from Fort Detrick. They have made lunch for Community Living's neighbors in its retirement program and hold garage sales so that they can go on vacations. You will see Community Living's people at the movies, ball games and concerts, just about any where around time.
Steps Individuals Must Take To Apply For Services:
The majority of its people are funded by The Department of Health And Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Developmental Disabilities Administration. This is completed through the system's Access and Eligibility process. To file this application, the individual must begin the process with Service Coordination, Inc. Community Living also accepts people on a sliding fee private pay agreement. These agreements are tailored to individual situations. The person needs to request an application form from Community Living. After a preliminary review the individual and family will be set-up with a visit and interview to see how to best meet their needs. Process takes approximately 6-8 weeks unless it is an emergency situation.
Special Considerations/Comments: Community Living has made a strong commitment to the people it serves. Community Living has created an agency that deals with issues as they arise. In the past Community Living has fought the State to allow feeding tubes in homes, it is now a common practice. Community Living has developed a program for its seniors so that they could retire. Community Living has developed a protocol so that its people could receive Hospice Services from its local chapter when the time is near. Community Living is committed to having its people pass with dignity at home whenever possible. Now the trend is moving towards younger adults with behavioral challenges. And so Community Living shifts with the individuals waiting to be served. The agency is able to adapt as needed, but remains true to its roots in Frederick County.
Funding Sources: Developmental Disabilities Administration, HUD, Private pay and United Way.
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