COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Bringing over 40 years of experience with medical, behavioral, and mental health services and support, Casa is proud to offer Community Support.

  • Are self-determination and freedom of choice part of your key values?

  • Does working, socializing, pursuing interests, or volunteering sound like positive additions to your life?

  • Are there barriers to attaining your goals and a valued social role?

Casa has the tools to support you in broadening your community and strengthening your skills.

What is Community Support?

  • Community Support is a waiver funded service to help a person get out of their home and into their chosen community to:

    • learn about where they may want to join or become a member

    • take a class

    • volunteer

    • explore jobs

    • find places where they want to spend time

  • Community Support can assist with building relationships with others

  • The service can also assist with gaining daily living skills that promote health and well-being.

  • A Community Membership Professional is a staff person who will provide support to get the client into the community and can provide a ride to places in the community.

  • It can be just one client with one staff professional, or two people who have the same interests and communities can choose to utilize services together.

  • Casa has been approved for 1:1 Community Support Services

Who is Community Support for?

  • Community Support is for people who want to spend time in their community and be supported to make or build relationships with others.

  • Community Support can be used explore careers, jobs, and businesses as part of learning about what employment entails.

  • Community Support can help explore meaningful retirement opportunities for clients over 55.

  • The service is available to people who are on Section 20, 21 or 29 Waivers.

Why Casa?

  • Casa brings over 40 years of experience with medical, behavioral, and mental health services and support

  • Our staff undergo training via the innovative Open Future Learning platform to better understand and advocate in this area of client care

  • We are expertly able to oversee and help coordinate a client’s care

What are the benefits of Community Support?

CONFIDENCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION

  • Increased autonomy over decisions gives individuals the opportunity to flourish

  • Allows individuals to pursue their own unique interests

  • Improves quality of life by allowing individuals to exercise their own decision-making skills

RELATIONSHIPS

  • Cultivating valued social roles builds security and encourages our clients to learn and grow.

  • Gives clients access to a vital part of the human experience; forming organic and natural friendships. 

  • Individuals are supported in finding communities that they feel part of and accepted into

INDEPENDENCE

  • True to our mission, encouraging independence is key to a fulfilling life.

  • Learning independence in a safe setting allows individuals to have increased opportunity. Think volunteer opportunity, job opportunity, meaningful retirement opportunity, etc. 

IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH

  • Connectedness reduces anxiety and depression associated with loneliness.

  • Though disability is not inherently what results in anxiety and depression, a lack of access to the greater community can create feelings of isolation and helplessness that lead to anxiety and depression.

  • Community Support’s goal is to assist individuals in overcoming any barriers that may hinder their access to the greater community.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

  • A wider support network increases access to resources and opportunities.

  • The service of community support allows individuals to better access resources such as:

    • community centers

    • libraries

    • interest groups

    • and more…

G E T I N V O L V E D

I am interested in Community Support. What are the next steps?

  • Reach out by phone 207-879-6165 or email to express interest in how you can utilize Casa’s Community Support program.

  • Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests, and get any questions answered.

  • Take part in a meet and greet to see about a fit with a specific interest or activity.

  • For more information, visit this great resource from the
    State of Maine