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UNITED WAY FOR JACKSON & GEORGE COUNTIES' MEMBER AGENCY SPOTLIGHT
“ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, IF YOU LET IT”
In the words of that magical English nanny Mary Poppins, “Anything can happen, if you let it.” At Singing River Services, anything is possible and can happen for the amazing people they serve. With programs in both Jackson and George counties, this United Way funded agency supports adult individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). It is Singing River Services’ belief that all individuals are able and have the right to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy integration in the economic, political, social, and cultural mainstream of American society. The purpose of the programs is to assist these individuals in remaining in their homes and communities. For over 35 years, the following services have been offered:
Community Support Services
Supported Employment
Supported Living
Day Habilitation
Pre-Vocational Services
The Eddie DiSanti Group Home
Community Support Services are designed to assist individuals in receiving services and support in the community which meet their individual medical, social, educational, and/or recreational needs. This aids in prevention or delay of institutional placement and enhanced inclusion into the community. Community Support Services includes activities that: 1. Eliminate barriers to access and eligibility for services, supports, and other assistance; 2. Enhance system designs that encourage the creation of local and statewide information and referral systems; and 3. Enhance individual, family, and citizen participation and involvement.
Supported Employment is an approach to assisting the mentally challenged individual in obtaining employment within the community. The individual is provided a job coach who will train him or her for the specific job and task. The employer will have continual on-going support and job coaching presence as long as it is necessary for success to be obtained. More than 100 individuals to date have been placed in long-term employment within the community.
Daytime work training opportunities consist of a range of activities directed at specific habilitation goals that are designed to lead to vocational skills development. Services are provided in a sheltered workshop setting as well as community based opportunities. It provides opportunities for the acquisition of necessary work and functional skills, and services provided in the sheltered workshop setting are directed towards increasing productivity and self-sufficiency.
The Eddie DiSanti group home is designed to increase independence and productivity on a daily basis, and it provides services which are critical in maintaining individuals in a community living arrangement. Supervised living arrangements must have staff available on-site 24 hours per day. Currently, the maximum capacity at the group home is for eight individuals. The entire facility is ADA accessible.
If you’d like more information on programs and services, please contact Singing River Services at 228.497.0690.
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