HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SERVICES INC

Heritage Christian Services is a leading community services agency providing greater choice and flexibility in things like respite, supporting people in meaningful day activities and in their home and community life.

As Medicaid continues to change, people will have the option of choosing what supports are most important and which agency they would like to work with. HCS has already built the infrastructure for the new way Medicaid will be doing business with agencies. In fact, HCS supports more than 600 people with self directed plans/budgets, and just surpassed the 750 mark on the number of self-hire employees. That is, in part, thanks to investing in seven full time brokers – and employing the only Master Broker trainer for the Finger Lakes region.

For people exploring options other than a traditional group home or day habilitation setting, the agency offers customized options where people choose who they would like to live with – if anyone – and select the supports they would like to have in their home.

For more information, https://heritagechristianservices.org/services/opwdd/self-direction/.

Heritage Christian Services’ day programs offer a variety of opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to develop skills for personal growth.

With several dozen sites in Rochester and Buffalo, NY, participants enjoy a wide range of activities and make a significant contribution to their communities through more than 80,000 hours of collective volunteer service each year.

The HCS day program model includes Master-level educators; a high ratio of educational assistants per program; an inviting, open environment conducive to learning; and challenging, socially integrative programming with community-oriented activities.

Day program staff members work closely with participants to develop the skills they need to become more independent, including reading, communication, math, time and money management, personal care, housekeeping and cooking. In addition, each site has access to adaptive computer technology such as touch screens and switch-operated software.

For more information, visit: https://heritagechristianservices.org/services/opwdd/day-habilitation/

Enhancing quality of life is a priority at Heritage Christian Services – not only for those we serve with developmental disabilities, but also for their caregivers and families.

The respite programs at Heritage Christian Services offer short-term care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which gives their caregivers the gift of time to devote to other areas of their lives.

Some programs, like Respitewood and Respitelodge, can offer overnight support while others provide after school respite. In addition, HCS serves families who are interested in hourly respite or in having a staff member provide respite in the family’s home.

Families can rest assured, knowing their loved one is being cared for by a professional staff member who is certified in CPR, first-aid and specialized care techniques to support a wide variety of physical, emotional and behavioral needs. There are no out-of-pocket costs for Heritage Christian respite services as long as applicants: have a developmental disability, live at home with a parent or guardian and are enrolled in Home and Community Based Services Waiver.

For more information, https://heritagechristianservices.org/services/opwdd/respite/

Community habilitation offers people the chance to receive individualized support in their homes and at places they like to visit. The person and his or her staff work together to plan what the day should look like. Maybe that’s a trip to the library and a visit to the gymnasium. Maybe that’s a few hours of volunteer work, followed by a cooking lesson.

Also, depending on a person’s self-directed plan/budget, he or she could choose to use community habilitation a few days a week and attend a day program that’s operated at a Heritage Christian site the rest of the week. It’s all about what works best for the person.

The Employment Alliance brings new talent to business by matching people who have developmental disabilities with employment opportunities in the community.

The Employment Alliance will work with your organization to develop individualized training plans, support diversity initiatives within your organization and enhance your community connection and customer base

Key Benefits
What does the Employment Alliance bring to the workplace? New employees are provided with an employment specialist / job coach. The employment specialist will:

- Partner with you to develop a training plan for your new employee to facilitate employment success
- Assist the new employee with learning his or her job responsibilities, as well as become acclimated to the culture of your organization
- Be available to the work site supervisor to discuss progress and assist with any concerns
- As the new employee becomes more proficient in his or her job, the employment specialist will phase out on-site support, while maintaining contact with both you and the new employee
- In addition, the Employment Alliance can provide a disability awareness and sensitivity presentation to your organization. This can be helpful to management, human resources, front line workers and volunteers.

For more information about partnering with us, contact the director of the Employment Alliance, Marianne Durrant, at (585) 340-2000. https://heritagechristianservices.org/services/employment-people-with-disabilities/employment-alliance/