Community Living Care Helps Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Meet Their Goals

By Andrew Wilson

In football, the goal line is always in the same place, but for Community Living Care (CLC) the goal line may change with the individual goals of each person for whom they care.

"We maintain a person-centered focus," said Eric Noel, the chief operating officer for CLC, a company that provides care, support, and services for people with intellectual disabilities. He explained that individual goals are not just expected but encouraged. "Everyone is different. We always do what we can to make sure each person gets what they want and need."

Noel says that CLC's philosophy begins with its founder, the late Hayes Treasure, who started the company in 1987 with a simple creed: "You can't give care without caring." He says that philosophy is embedded in each CLC staff member, whether they provide direct care or whether they are in a supportive or administrative role.

CLC provides care for people who were diagnosed with intellectual disabilities before the age of 21, although CLC's care may extend to people well beyond that age. That may include people with autism or Down syndrome, but not necessarily. There are four degrees of intellectual disabilities: mild, moderate, severe, and profound. How advanced the disability is will determine the level of care needed or even if any care is needed at all.

"Some people with intellectual disabilities have abilities that are comparable to others in society. They may learn quickly while other people with intellectual disabilities do not," said Noel. "Some people may need constant 24-hour care, while others may only need help with certain activities, like cooking or meals. It varies from person to person."

CLC's involvement begins with an assessment of the individual to see what the goals are and how they can best help the person meet those goals. To complete the assessment, they seek input from the individual, family members, and the support coordinator.

"We typically draw the assessment based on input from people who know them best," Noel said. "Even after the initial assessment, we are constantly observing and reassessing what works best for each person."

The pandemic presented a unique challenge for CLC. There were standards that had to be met to prevent COVID transmission, such as wearing masks, limiting visits, and constant cleaning of hands, surfaces, and seemingly everything.

"I'm so impressed with how we navigated through the pandemic, particularly so with our direct care professionals," Noel said. "So many people rose to the challenge and came up with ways to do the job safely. They came up with online resources that worked well to limit outside contact while keeping the people we care for connected to the outside world."

That was a particular challenge when it came to dealing with families. The level of family involvement will vary from person to person, too. For some people, family stays involved daily, but for others, they play a much less frequent role.

"Family plays a role as much as they want to," Noel said. "Typically, family support is important, but CLC always does what is best for the individual."

He related the situation one person encountered who was living in a CLC group home but had a difference of opinion with his family about how long he would stay at home for a holiday celebration. While the family's expectations were that he would spend several days with them, the individual wanted to spend the day of the holiday with his family and then go back to the group home.

"He was telling them what he wanted to do," said Noel. "He was growing and making his own decisions was part of that growth. We support the individual but encourage family to be part of their growth."

It's not just the individual goals that vary, but also the length of time that CLC cares for someone. CLC has one person who has been cared for since the year of the company's founding in 1987. Others have achieved their goals and are no longer under CLC's care.

"We work with them to support where they are now, as well as how they are growing and where they want to go," Noel said. "People with intellectual disabilities can flourish, grow, and go on to do amazing things. We try to create a meaningful life for the individual.

For more information about Community Living Care, Inc., visit communitylivingcare.com or call (724) 836-8747.