Featured Healthcare Provider
Washington – (724) 223-5115
Erie – (814) 874-0064
www.vficil.org
What is the most utilized service that your organization provides?
Our most utilized service would be Home Care, in which individuals with disabilities receive regularly scheduled visits from VFI caregivers to ensure that they can remain as independent as possible in their own home.
Do you offer any services that people may be unaware of?
We offer a variety of services that fly under the radar, but the top two would likely be Home Modifications, in which we build ramps and make homes fully accessible with bathroom modifications and more; and Nursing Home Transition, where we work with individuals with disabilities currently residing in nursing facilities to obtain accessible, affordable housing and return back to the community, where they can live independently with proper supports.
What would you say is the most significant obstacle that families face in getting the services they need?
Unfortunately, many families simply may not know where to even begin looking for assistance, with regard to disability services. Red tape is another significant obstacle when going through enrollment/ approval processes, but knowing who to call first and being able to navigate the system can be daunting in its own right.
What makes your organization unique?
Voices for Independence has been proudly serving Pennsylvanians with disabilities for more than 30 years. We are also a Center for Independent Living (CIL), which means that we offer much more than Home Care alone, and provide a wide variety of services and supports to the disability community.
What is "trauma-informed care"?
Trauma-Informed Care is an approach to care that places an emphasis on ensuring safety and support for individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives. This method begins by putting a focus on awareness and respectful acknowledgement of one's trauma, and then looks to create a safe space for the individual in question by looking to make sure that they are surrounded by those who fully support them. Members of this "team" must be reliable and trustworthy, as well as good stewards of the healing process.
What resource have you found that you would like to share with others?
We would like to think that Voices for Independence is the public's #1 disability resource, offering connections to support that empower individuals with disabilities and promote independent living; but we are always more than happy to work together to point someone in the right direction, if they need assistance from outside of our agency.