Genelle Edwards, Owner and CEO, has been involved in the provision of services to persons with mental retardation since deinstitutionalization began in 1974. Throughout her 26 years of service, Ms. Edwards has maintained her commitment to the integration of all persons with disabilities into the mainstream of life. Ms. Edwards managed various public and private sector community programs until she developed her own company in 1993. Empowerment Options currently serves 16 persons through the Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) program, 40 persons through the Mental Retardation Local Authority (MRLA) and 48 persons in the Intermediate Care Facilities for persons with Mental Retardation (ICF-MR) program.

Empowerment has the distinction of being one of the MRLA providers in Travis County. Since the initiation of the pilot, Empowerment has gained valuable experience in the implementation of the MRLA system. We are able to offer guidance to consumers and their families regarding the new service system.

The professional staff directed by Leesa Donaho at Empowerment have experience developing programs to address the special needs of persons with developmental disabilities and related conditions, including the establishment of homes for persons who are non-ambulatory and who have total communication needs. Empowerment is currently working with healthcare professionals in the Houston area to provide specialized services for consumers in our community programs. Examples include: Bluebird Clinic in Houston provides treatment to a consumer with Rhett Syndrome; Melton, Traini and Associates provide psychiatric care, behavior modification and specialized counseling services; The Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at the Hermann Hospital treats consumers with seizure disorders; and Assisted Technology Connections has been utilized to customize a wheelchair with a communication device attached for an Empowerment consumer. In addition, Empowerment's owner has over 20 years experience in programs for persons with a dual diagnosis and has also worked with persons with significant medical needs for over 10 years.

Empowerment Options believes that families play an important role in the development of the individuals enrolled in the HCS program and is committed to involving families in all levels of program design and implementation. Individual service plans are based on the needs and desires of the individual and their family and utilize support services in the person’s community as available.

Empowerment Options ensures trained staff are available as necessary, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide residential support in 3 or 4 person group homes, in the person/family’s own home or in foster/companion care settings. All staff is qualified, alert and able to assure prompt, appropriate action in case of injury, illness, fire or other emergencies. Support staff educate and encourage consumers to participate in the activities of daily living by discussing and by modeling appropriate behaviors in natural settings. Transportation arrangements are provided for all activities and include a combination of public and company sponsored transportation. Empowerment also contracts with community service providers for health care, day habilitation and other professional support services as necessary to meet the needs of the consumer.

Persons enrolled in the program are encouraged to exercise their rights and to make choices about where to live, where to attend church, what type of day activities and leisure/recreational activities to participate in, and which support services to receive. Individuals residing in group homes are assured their privacy and their right to have visitors. Individuals enrolled in the program and their families are encouraged to utilize the Empowerment Options Hotline to report complaints or concerns so that quality services will be consistently delivered.

Empowerment Options provides case management that includes the coordination of all medical services needs. Local community medical services are utilized as necessary to meet the routine and emergency medical needs of the consumer. Adaptive aids and minor home modifications are provided to meet the needs of non-ambulatory persons or persons with other physical challenges.

Home and

Community –Based

Services Program

(HCS)

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) program is a system for providing customized community support services for persons with all levels of mental retardation through the use of Medicaid funding. Individualized plans of care are based on the needs and choices of the individual and their family.

Who is eligible to receive services in the Empowerment options HCS program?

The individual must have the following qualifications to be eligible for enrollment in the Empowerment Options HCS program:

• Determination of Mental Retardation

• Medicaid and SSI Eligibility

• Resident of Harris, Liberty, Montgomery or Walker County

• Plan of Care meets program guidelines

The desires, skills, strengths and needs of each participant and their family are the focus of each plan. Empowerment’s professional staff and other service providers work jointly with the individual and their family to develop a plan which is responsive to the family unit and which includes comprehensive medical and therapy services: skill development programs to increase independence: job readiness training and supported employment plan when feasible: and social and recreational programs to maximize integration into the community.

• Residential Services Options

Supported Home Living: This residential option is supported by trained staff that coordinates and provides services for individuals who choose to live in their family’s home or in their own home. Supported Home Living services are also available to individuals residing in the TDPRS or TDHS Certified Foster Care Homes.

Foster/Companion Care: This residential option provides a home and support services to the individual by an HCS foster care provider or companion care provider. The foster/companion care provider assists the individual in the activities of daily living and in skills development towards independence.

Group Home Living: This option is designed for individuals who choose to or who would benefit from living in a three or four-person group home. Shift staff and /or live-in staff assist the individual with daily living activities and in the acquisition of skills towards independence.

Respite Services: Planned short term care or emergency care which provides room and board and assistance and training in the activities of daily living.

Day Habilitation: Day activities designed to assist the individual in acquiring, retaining and improving self-help, socialization and adaptive skills.

Nursing Services: Health care monitoring and coordination of health care services.

Psychology Services: Counseling and behavior intervention programming.

Dental Treatment: Emergency, preventive, therapeutic and orthodontic dental treatment.

Therapy Services: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Audiology Services to support the needs of the individual.

Social Services: Activities to help the individual improve social skills and to understand and express feelings and emotions.

Adaptive Aids: Acquisition and services for mobility aids, environmental controls, medically necessary supplies and communication aids.

Minor Home Modifications: Maintenance of wheelchair ramps and other specialized accessibility and safety adaptations of the individual’s home.

• 39 years of experience in the field of mental retardation
• Empowerment Options, Inc. in operation for over 7 years
• Currently serving 100 persons in community programs
• History of excellent recertification Surveys
• Established Area Office with support staff
• Aggressive On-Call system staffed by knowledgeable professionals

Genelle Edwards, CEO and Owner: Ms. Edwards has been involved in developing community living programs and integrated work settings in both the private and public sectors since 1974. Ms. Edwards serves as a representative of various state initiated task forces and work groups concerning services for people with mental retardation. Whatever setting she works in, Ms. Edwards maintains a commitment to quality services, emphasizing the individual rights of those she serves in all of her professional endeavors.

Leesa Donaho, Area Manager: Ms. Donaho has been involved in case management, program development and program administration for persons with mental retardation in both the public and private sectors since 1984. She currently manages Empowerment’s community living programs in East Texas. Her commitment to quality services is reflected in the excellent recertification survey results and consumer satisfaction survey results she receives year after year!

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*Antonia Novello, M.D., U.S. Surgeon General