All clients of New Gateways have a Person Centered Plan.  This plan consists of likes and dislikes, strengths, needs and choices.  When necessary the client has an Occupational Therapy assessment.  This is done by the OT from MORC. Inc, or contracted through CLS or private pay.  Once the assessment is completed, all staff are trained on the persons therapy programs.  Programs are reviewed annually or, more often if necessary.  When the PCP is received, client coordinator discusses all changes, etc. with all staff that work with that particular client.  It is mandatory for a PCP to be done annually.  However, a meeting may be called at anytime for an emergency PCP.  Our Client Coordinator attends all preplanning and PCP meetings that we are invited to.

 

We have an “open door” policy for parents, group homes and support staff. 

 

We are NOT a medical facility.

 

If a client requires TEMPORARY special medical attention, we require a professional from MORC, Inc., CLS or private pay to inservice staff.

 

We are unable to accept any client without prior authorization and a budget from MORC, Inc, CLS, Private Pay Insurance Agency or Family.

 

Outside Case Management must be on call in case of an emergency.  We stay in constant touch with outside Case management.  When programs are changed, goals met, client concerns, we meet with client and case managers.  Case Managers are required to visit on a quarterly basis. 

 

The Director of New Gateways meets on a monthly and quarterly basis with MORC, Inc. Vocational Dept. as well as other outside agencies to keep up to date on all aspects of funding, Social Security, self-determination, private funding and the future for the developmentally disabled population.  We are a member of the Oakland County ARC, our Director is on the Board of The Oakland County ARC, we belong to MALA, We are members of the NADD (National Association of the Dually Diagnosed), members of the OCRICC, Our client coordinator is

a member of the Empowerment Committee.  This gives her the opportunity to assist with organizing seminars to keep clients and parents updated on all current situations.  Our director is President of the Macomb Oakland Guardianship Association and is therefore updated constantly on guardianship rules and regulations.  We are a member of the Michigan Autistic Society. 

 

New Gateways has a very strong parent group.  Our Board of Directors consists of parents and clients.  This group meets on a monthly basis.

Guests from contract agencies are invited to attend.  Board Members may be contacted at anytime from clients, families, contractors, etc. 

 

Funding comes from MORC, Inc, Self-Determination, CLS, and Private pay.

 

We send out surveys annually.  One to Clients, families, and group homes, one to stakeholders, and one to staff.  All results of survey’s are shared with all contract personnel, clients, staff, families and group homes.

 

All clients have an opportunity to go into the community.  Schedules are set up so all clients go into the community a minimum of weekly.  However, should clients prefer not to go, other clients may go out three to four times a week.  Some of the places we visit are the Casino’s, Movies, shopping, manicures, hair cuts, out to lunch, bowling, picnic’s, zoo, airports, watching planes land and take off, local high schools, watch tennis practice, band practice, etc. museums, the Fox Theatre, Baseball games, visiting sick friends in the hospital, selling items at different meetings at MORC and OCCMHA  We contract with Oakland County Catholic Social Services for seven senior volunteers.  We also employ four group home personnel from local group homes. We have volunteers from Macomb County Community College that assist us with celebrating Holidays.  These groups allow us to spend more time in the community. We integrate holiday activities with The French School that occupy half of our building. We have Pet Therapy, associated with the Michigan Humane Society come to visit monthly, we have C C Dance that come twice a month.

 

Clients that require freshening (diapering) are checked three times a day and freshened when necessary.  Many of our clients require feeding and some require tube feeding.  Lunches are brought in with client from homes.  We refrigerate and heat food when necessary.  Many teams cook at least once a week so clients enjoy a lunch prepared by staff and clients. 

 

All staff have MORC  Training.  MORC Trainers come to Gateways to train staff.  All staff practice Gentle Teaching.  When possible they attend John McGee’s seminars.  We also have Gentle Teaching tapes. When possible staff attend DCH, OCCMHA and other seminars in Lansing and other parts of the State. Staff is also involved in the MORC Staff Appreciation Day.

 

Program staff are employed with Expert Care Personnel.  Administrative staff are employed with New Gateways, Inc.

 

We are very proud of the fact that we have hired six aides that live in group homes in our area.  They have proven to be wonderful employees.  They assist us with feeding, pushing wheelchairs, which allows us to go into the community, washing bibs, and many other duties.

 

We also have seven wonderful seniors from Catholic Social Services.  The seniors help us in the community; help with our gardens, preparing lunches for clients,

and many many other duties.

 

We do offer limited transportation.  We have a transportation and employment specialist.  This person goes into the community seeking community activities as well as possible micro enterprising.  He is also responsible for planning all transportation routes, van upkeep, etc.

 

We are committed to Micro Enterprising.  At this time, we have several mini Micro Enterprising businesses consisting of shredding, making and selling jewelry, selling popcorn at meetings, making greeting cards,  and selling handmade baskets. 

 

We have a charitable Micro Enterprise consisting of clients and volunteers.  They collect items for local churches and food banks.   Items are donated from family, friends, peers and staff.  Clients will sort items, package them and drive them to their destination on a quarterly basis.