Programs

Residential

The Prince Albert Group Homes Society has been providing residential care & services since 1973. We presently run seven homes with an eighth individualized program. The participants in our residential programs are all individuals with their own unique personality and charm. Our clients also come with a variety of intellectual and physical impairments. Some of our clients are Autistic while others are affected by Epilepsy, Down’s Syndrome, Rhett’s Syndrome and a variety of other developmental disabilities.

1. Each home provides the client:
   • A shared residence with 3 to 5 other people
   • 24 hr support staff
   • A warm friendly environment that is their home
   • Quality medical care and personal assistance according to their needs
   • Opportunities to attend community based day programs and engage in a variety of activities during their leisure time
2. Our staff contributes:
   • Caring professional services
   • Their own unique mix of gifts and abilities
   • Creativity and innovative ideas to improve our overall service quality
   • Fun and energy into each home to sustain a positive nurturing environment
   • Valuable input to PAGHS management to improve employment practices and policy
   • That mysterious "x" factor, hard to define but easy to recognize because of the positive difference it makes in the lives of our clients

"We are always looking for quality personnel to join our team and make a difference in the lives of our clients."

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Supported Independent Living Program [SILP]

• The SILP seeks to provide support to adults who have intellectual disabilities and who are living in the community
• SILP seeks to teach individuals the life skills necessary to achieve the greatest level of interdependence possible

Q: Who is eligible?

• Persons who are referred to this program through the Department of Community Resources Community Living Division
• PAGHS also may provide services based on referrals from other agencies as well as families
• Clients must have some concept of basic safety rules and be able to implement these rules consistently

Q: What does the program offer?

SILP teaches:

• Personal, home and community safety
• Practical day-to-day skills: personal hygiene, housecleaning, laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, clothes shopping, banking and bill paying
• Community skills: using services such as buses, accessing leisure services such as swimming pools, mini-golf, bowling
• Communication skills: asking and following directions, getting along with others, making and keeping appointments, attending and participating in meetings
• Organizational skills: budgeting, scheduling and time management
• Personal well-being: managing anger/frustration, taking medications, social skills, personal responsibility

In addition to delivering the above-individualized instruction, the SILP Worker will:

• Assist in building a network of support people in the community
• Accompany clients in new situations to provide support and assistance
• Advocate on behalf of the client as needed and encourage self advocacy
• Meet with the client regularly to discuss problems and issues, and to provide encouragement
• Facilitate community referrals as needed
• Conduct an Annual Review of progress agreed to by the client and submitted to the PAGHS Program Acceptance & Separations Committee and the funding agency as required
• Provide ongoing support as necessary

Graduation

• Recognizes personal development to the point where the individual can successfully function in the community without the assistance of the SILP worker or being dependent upon the program structure for effective self-management
• Graduation is the ultimate goal for every individual of this program. It is determined by a joint conference including the client and his/her support team

On-going Mentoring / Support

• Clients who have graduated may choose to stay in contact with SILP staff and other participants and periodically join in group sessions or receive some individual supports
• Graduates are always invited to group social activities to maintain the relationships with staff and other participants
• Graduates who express an interest in supporting new clients may act as mentors / peer support persons with the assistance of SILP staff

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Respite

• PAGHS has two permanent respite spaces funded by Social Services at our 13th Street Home
• To access these services application needs to be made through our Program Acceptance and Separation Committee 
  • bookings are then made directly with the home

 

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Recreation

• Each of our programs include regular outings
• Individuals have the opportunity to plan for and participate in special events (e.g. concerts, fairs, movie nights, etc.)
• PAGHS also runs a monthly dance/drop-in program open to all members of our community

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Information for Volunteers

Expectations

We appreciate the willingness and generosity of those who volunteer within our programs. Coordinating schedules and planning for events etc. requires a solid commitment from volunteers. All staff and volunteers must be thoroughly familiar with our Mission Statement, and support our Core Values. We also expect our volunteers to abide by PAGHS Policy & Procedures related to: confidentiality, safety and our Code of Ethics. Detailed information is provided in the volunteer orientation.

Process

As a community based organization, the Prince Albert Group Homes Society [PAGHS] is committed to providing quality supports and services in a respectful and ethical manner. Our Service Agreement with the Provincial Government requires that we perform a thorough screening of all staff and volunteers to ensure the safety of our clients.

• All volunteers are required to obtain a Police Record Check and submit this to the Executive Director prior to beginning their volunteer placement [This service is of no charge to the volunteers and PAGHS will supply a letter confirming the volunteer position if needed].
• Volunteers are also asked to supply two personal references to the Executive Director.
• An interview will be held to determine suitability and to facilitate the matching of volunteer skills / interests with those of clients and various programs.

Risks

• We accept and maintain that there are risks involved in all volunteer positions.
• We work with adults with varying levels of vulnerability and with that comes a certain degree of risk. However, we are equipped to mange those risks and do our best to maintain a safe environment for our clients and volunteers.

Benefits

• The most important benefit that volunteers derive comes from the relationships that are built. There are many rewards to enjoy such as joy, laughter and new friendships.
• Additional benefits include a sense of personal fulfillment that comes from sharing your unique talents and time with others who truly appreciate your generosity.
•  Aside from this, students and others interested in the Human Services field will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and training.
• All volunteers will be challenged to look at the world from a different perspective and this will expand their understanding of disabilities and the barriers many people face every day.
• Families and other groups will benefit from extended times together as they work together to make a positive difference in the community.