Optional Rehabilitation Services Inc., (OPTIONS), a private company incorporated August 7, 1986, was born from the desire to develop new, exciting and innovative routes for providing care and support to people with disabilities. At OPTIONS, we believe in the rights of every individual and strive to promote, educate and advocate for these rights.At OPTIONS, we believe that individuals need to explore opportunities in order to discover their potential and take a valued place in society.At OPTIONS, we take an individual approach in planning services. We believe that flexibility is key and endeavor to create service situations that are attuned to an individual's needs.At OPTIONS, we encourage input and open commmunication from an individual's relatives, friends and significant others so that the best possible service can be designed.OPTIONS is currently involved in a number of service areas providing staffing support to a variety of individuals in their own homes as well as vocational and community support, monitoring and outreach support. OPTIONS recruits qualified and experienced personnel with the individuals, guardians and/or families involved in the hiring ensuring compatible "matches" regarding skill areas, interests, etc. Ongoing specialized training opportunities are made available to OPTIONS' personnel ensuring up to date skills and expertise are available to the individuals being served. OPTIONS works closely with representatives from Alberta Family & Social Services, the Office of the Public Guardian, the Alberta Association for Community Living, various Community Based agencies and the community at large.
Optional Rehabilitation Services Inc., (OPTIONS), a private company incorporated August 7, 1986, was born from the desire to develop new, exciting and innovative routes for providing care and support to people with disabilities.
At OPTIONS, we believe in the rights of every individual and strive to promote, educate and advocate for these rights.
At OPTIONS, we believe that individuals need to explore opportunities in order to discover their potential and take a valued place in society.
At OPTIONS, we take an individual approach in planning services. We believe that flexibility is key and endeavor to create service situations that are attuned to an individual's needs.
At OPTIONS, we encourage input and open commmunication from an individual's relatives, friends and significant others so that the best possible service can be designed.
OPTIONS is currently involved in a number of service areas providing staffing support to a variety of individuals in their own homes as well as vocational and community support, monitoring and outreach support.
OPTIONS recruits qualified and experienced personnel with the individuals, guardians and/or families involved in the hiring ensuring compatible "matches" regarding skill areas, interests, etc.
Ongoing specialized training opportunities are made available to OPTIONS' personnel ensuring up to date skills and expertise are available to the individuals being served.
OPTIONS works closely with representatives from Alberta Family & Social Services, the Office of the Public Guardian, the Alberta Association for Community Living, various Community Based agencies and the community at large.
Elaine Yost was at the 'Not Bake Sale Rally' on December 18th, 2009. Please watch the following video and respond to your MLA
OPTIONS and URSA
Wednesday, November 4 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, a pot luck dinner was held at OPTIONS with both agencies celebrating their outgoing and incoming Service Excellence Advisors. The potluck was for Administration Staff and the Service Excellence Advisors from both agencies.
Thank you and congratulations to all involved.
Keychains:
After a year of hard work we are very excited to announce that 11 of our staff have completed the Foundations Course!!!! Stay tuned to find out what's next at OPTIONS
OPTIONS Recognition Gala at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino was a fantastic success. Thank you all for attending and making it a night to remember.
A big congratulations to the following Award winners:
Rising Star Award:
Nicole Heron
Striving for Excellence Award:
Elena Rauda
Best Practice Award:
Grace Lavergne
Distinction Award:
Drew Moody
During 1996, the department of Alberta Family and Social Services underwent some organizational changes. All the funding mechanisms (i.e. Individualized Funding, Contract Management, Individual Contract Funds) are now under the umbrella of "Community Inclusion Supports."
Individualized Funding has gone through a variety of incarnations but remains the primary funding source for most support situations in which OPTIONS is involved. This funding, obtained through Alberta Family & Social Services, Supports for Persons with Disabilities; originally appeared approximately 10 years ago developed from a "loophole" in the Social Allowance system. With the restructuring of the Community Inclusion Supports Program, Individualized Funding has been removed from the Social Allowance System. This has been of significant benefit to many individuals with disabilities as their AISH benefits remain unaffected. (Previously, AISH benefits were cut back if a person was receiving I.F.)
I.F. (Individualized Funding) involves a complex process. Individuals may or may not be receiving AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped). All possible "contract spaces" (ie contract funded group homes or other residential placements, contract funded day programs or alternatives) must be unobtainable by the individual. Applications are usually made with the assistance of a broker who works in conjunction with the Client Services Coordinator(s) from Alberta Family & Social Services. Individualized Funding is reviewed regularly and persons receiving such funds must continue to look for contract funded spaces. I.F. is technically viewed as a "last resort" method of funding.
Contract Funding, through Alberta Family & Social Services, is also utilized by OPTIONS in providing supports to children and adolescents in three homes. The contracts are negotiated on an annual basis and the parents/guardians are active participants in the contract itself.