A Catalyst is seen as an agent that provides or speeds significant change or action. The mission of this program is to provide support and guidance based on Godly principles to ensure that individuals will achieve success and develop their full potential while living in environments that enhance independence. In order for this to happen change is required. The make-up of the Catalyst program is very different than it was when it started almost six years ago. What began as three men moving into an apartment in the community in the fall of 2002 has become 32 men and women residing in either group homes or other independent living settings. There are now five components to Catalyst. They are:
- Group Homes
- On-Campus Apartments
- Community Based Apartments
- Contractual Services
- Consulting Services
Group Homes
Currently there are two group homes in Catalyst. The Cayton House opened in the summer of 2003. Initially six ladies resided at the Cayton House however, due to the size of the home, it was decided in 2007 to decrease that number to five. The individuals who live there now have a little more space to call their own. In September of 2004, the Kuhnle House became home to six ladies. It is a much more spacious home, bordering Shepherds' property and located about a quarter of a mile west of the main campus. While the group homes allow for a greater level of independence with lower staff ratios and opportunities to assist in cooking their meals, cleaning their own house and doing their own laundry, we still provide them with 24 hour staffing. The lower ratios provide us with the opportunity to do more effective programming. It also begins to lower the ratios in the units at the Wood Center. A third group home will open in the Spring/Summer of 2008. While the opportunity to develop more independence is there, a person doesn't have to have a higher level of independence to live there….anyone would do well in this type of setting.
On-Campus Apartments
Our on-campus apartments are being used as they were originally designed – to train men and women so they can develop the skills needed to live in the community with supports from Shepherds. Currently 4 of the 12 apartments are used for this purpose. Those living in the on-campus apartments receive only the supports that they need. For some this involves daily visits to their apartments while for others the staff support is much less. Since they are still considered part of Shepherds they receive nursing services as well, and staff assist them with their medications. Some are comfortable in this setting and have no desire to move into an apartment in the community. Others, however, use the on-campus apartments as a stepping stone to a greater level of appropriate independence.
Community Based Apartments
While the individuals who reside in these apartments are still considered part of Shepherds, they enjoy living in the community. Other than their ability to handle their own mediations, these individuals receive the same type of supports as those living in the on-campus apartments – based entirely on their need. We continually get inquiries about this program. We now have the opportunity to serve individuals who wouldn't necessarily be appropriate to live at Shepherds but could live on their own with support.
Contractual Services
There are a number of individuals who have in a sense “graduated” from Shepherds. They live totally on their own in the community and are no longer considered a part of Shepherds. The services they now receive are based solely on a service contract that is reviewed and signed annually. Others have come to Catalyst receiving contractual services and have never been considered “residents." All of their income goes directly to them, and they are billed only for the services they receive. They are now totally responsible for paying their own bills including rent, phone, electric, cable and groceries…just like you and me. Several have been able to lease government subsidized apartments and receive other supports that they would not be eligible for if they were considered “residents” of Shepherds.
Consulting Services
Our consulting services provide us with the opportunity to assist agencies and people in other states who want to develop group homes similar to Shepherds. At this point our assistance has been mainly informational but we hope to eventually be able to support them through training, staffing and programming.
Catalyst Admissions Criteria
Physical Requirements
- At least eighteen years of age
- Ambulatory
- Free from communicable disease
- Minimal medical needs
Mental Requirements
- Function within the framework of the Catalyst Program
- Not emotionally disturbed beyond his/her ability to function within the framework of Shepherds' program
- No maladaptative behaviors which might endanger him/her, other individuals or staff
Financial Requirements
- Must have adequate income (SSI, Social Security, etc) to pay expenses such as rent, phone, electric, independent living services, etc.
- One of the steps in the Admissions process is to meet with the Business Department or Catalyst Administrator relative to financial expectations.
- You may call the Business Administrator in advance to determine what materials might be helpful at this meeting.
General Requirements
- An admission application and other current admission documents must be completed and on file.
- There must be at least two weeks of pre-admission respite evaluation at Shepherds before final admission.
- Services may be discontinued by Shepherds and/or the individual after a 30 day notice is given.
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