Supportive Living
Supportive Living coordinators operate out of a continuum of group living and
apartment buildings in 11 locations around the city of Calgary.
The emphasis of each Supportive Living Program is to offer support while focusing on the strengths of the individual client. Clients are encouraged to use personal,
family and community-based resources to maintain their optimal level of mental
health, and to maintain their community living status.
Above all, CMHA’s Supportive Living Program is client-centered, empowering,
flexible and normalizing. Programming is designed to maintain the individual’s
sense of identity, dignity and self esteem as they are encouraged to move towards
optimal independence.
Coordinators work with clients to increase their level of independence through
individualized support and goal setting. Areas of assistance may include development of daily living skills, accessing community resources, emotional support and
more.
In the Group Living setting, clients receive coaching for development of independent living skills, social skills and coping skills. Clients are encouraged to engage
in community programs as their skills and abilities allow. Group Living allows for
intensive assessment of client needs and functioning on a regular basis.
In the Apartment setting, clients receive support for development of activities of
daily living, such as nutrition and meal preparation, household maintenance, laundry and budgeting.
Additional supports include connection to community resources and assistance
with the development of coping and problem solving skills.
In 2012-2013:
“While I was excited to be living independently, I remember when I moved in,
and I was a wreck,” Michael says. “I felt I
had abandoned my best friend – my father
– and had trouble figuring out what was
next or even who I was.”
Michael has now lived in one of our
Supportive Living apartments for two
years, and he has an assigned coordinator from CMHA, whom he meets with regularly, a community, and most importantly,
his independence. He says he was able to
overcome the feelings of leaving his father
and still has a relationship with him.
“Now I am no longer that ‘sick kid’ at
home. I visit (Dad) most weekends and
help out with the house...having been in
the (CMHA) program for two years, my
independence and my family life has really
changed.”
161
clients were enrolled
160
community referrals were
made
71%
CMHA CLIENT:
“
Life to me is a matter of using
what I have gained from
every area to transit to the next
step. That next step would not have
been possible if I had not been in
CMHA.”
of clients increased or maintained their scores on the Goal
Attainment Scale
80%
92%
of clients surveyed reported since joining the program their independent living skills have increased
report their quality of life has improved
Annual Report to the Community 2012-2013
11