Homeward Bound, Inc.

Our core values and goals involve:
• using community-based, cooperative and innovative supports.
• increasing the capacity of individuals to maximize control over their lives.
• striving to include individuals with disabilities into their communities.
• respecting families and responding to their concerns in a timely manner.
• using ethical, lawful and prudent business practices.
• using a collaborative team approach of staff, persons receiving services, families outside agencies and community partners.
• striving to enhance the lives of those we serve everyday.

Created by parents of children with disabilities, Homeward Bound continues to be a customer-focused organization. The success of Homeward Bound will hinge on the satisfaction of the individuals we serve and their families. The Board of Directors annually reviews our long term goals and objectives and considers additional administrative initiatives to strengthen our mission and purpose. Homeward Bound uses a variety of tools and metrics to evaluate the success of its programs. In compliance with Minnesota Statutes section 245B, we regularly survey consumer families to determine support satisfaction. We also conduct internal quarterly service surveys and weekly program surveys. As part of the continuous quality improvement program, these surveys and internal assessments allow us to make changes that improve conditions for special needs and to develop program enhancements and delivery of support to individuals.

The Board of Directors consists of 11 persons who provide guidance and governance to assure our continued success and progress. The board is comprised of consumer family members, interested citizens and business leaders. We employ 318 full and part-time employees, 60 of whom are licensed nurses, and have a dedicated volunteer force of churches, civic organizations and individuals. One third of Homeward Bound’s employees have worked for Homeward Bound for 5 years or more.

Staff attends continuing education classes to assure they have the skills necessary to provide personal support services. Beyond the physical and medical care knowledge, we offer sensitivity training and communication skills to foster compassion and respect for individuals. We teach family members and other support professionals to recognize, determine and manage an individual’s support services in order to attain the person’s improved quality of life, increased self-reliance and maximum health.

Since 1973, Homeward Bound has addressed the support needs of individuals with severe and profound developmental and physical disabilities, we provide persons of all ages with:
• supported living environments including specialized nursing care.
• in-home support services to keep children and adults with their families in the comfort of their homes, while they grow and mature, increase self-reliance and participate in the broader community.
• active support - with the help of the University of Minnesota, Homeward Bound has developed an Active Support Program. Our staff went through extensive training on the three principals of Active Support: inclusion, independence and choice. Person Centered Active Support focuses on providing sufficient assistance so that people can participate in all the opportunities for activities and relationships that take place at home and in the community. The University of Minnesota is completing research on this program with the help of Homeward Bound.

Homeward Bound is well thought of at Hennepin County, and the community at large in the Twin Cities Metro Area (Minnesota).