COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Bringing over 40 years of experience with medical, behavioral, and mental health services and support, Casa is proud to be approved by the State of Maine to offer 1:1 Community Support Services.

  • 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.

  • The service can be provided to one client by one staff professional, or to two people who have the same interests and communities who choose to utilize services together.

Who is Community Support for?

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

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

  • Community Support can help individuals explore meaningful retirement opportunities for those age 55 and older.

  • The service is available to people who receive services under Section 20, 21 or 29.

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