Wanted: Resident with intellectual disability
Operators of a small options home in Halifax are trying to find someone by the end of the month
Operators of a home in Halifax for adults with intellectual disabilities are sure there must be a long line of families wanting housing, but they can’t find someone to take a vacant room.
A long-time resident moved out of the small options home in Halifax about two months ago, but the opening hasn’t been filled.
Wendy Bird and Michelle Baker operate an unlicensed, non-profit home in Halifax. It’s a space where adults with intellectual disabilities are supported by staff, but residents can also enjoy their independence.
“What’s frustrating for us, is we know the right fit is out there,” Bird said.
Baker and Bird know there must be many families out there that want this kind of opportunity, but the families just don’t know about it.
“The opportunity to have your adult child live somewhat independent from you, but also still have close connections, is pretty awesome,” Bird said.
MEET TERRIN AND DAVID
The house is set up for three residents. Bird’s daughter Terrin Ritcey, 39, and Baker’s son David Baker, 40, occupy the other two of the rooms of the house.
Bird and Baker started this nonprofit small options home 15 years ago because they wanted their children to get the most out of life, and not be lonely at home as their siblings grew up and moved out.
Terrin is intellectually and physically disabled. She’s also deaf but can hear with her cochlear implant, said Bird.
“One side of her body is weaker and smaller, but it hasn’t held her back. She’s learned how to ski and swim and she curls,” Bird said. “Despite the disability, she’s quite active.”
David has intellectual disabilities, and he has epilepsy. Baker said he has seizures at night.
They help out with keeping the house clean and they both work at Prescott Employment Services. The house has around-the-clock staffing, except from Monday-friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the residents are at work. Baker and Bird run the home, but don’t live there.
When they come home after a long day at work, Terrin and David like to work on puzzles (several are framed on the walls). Terrin likes to relax in her room decorated with the Disney characters from Frozen, her favourite.
David, however, is more into sports. His mother said he’s inspired by and involved in Special Olympics. The posters on the walls and the medals hung on hooks are proof.
He’s also getting quite good at diabolo – which he picked up from lessons at Halifax Circus.
Besides being an adult with intellectual disabilities, the new resident will need to be somewhat independent, attend work or a program during the weekdays and have family support. The person will also have to qualify with Community Services, Bird said.
SEEKING SOMEONE NEW
There were three residents for 15 years, but the third resident moved out in March. While proud and happy for her, the opening leaves Bird and Baker scrambling to find someone new.
“She moved out into her own apartment and when she first came to live here, nobody would have guessed that she would ever be ready to move into her own apartment,” said Bird.
They contacted Community Services, the provincial department that provides funding for each resident, and the department offered one possibility, but that didn’t work out.
“I knew from when I was talking to mom and dad, they just weren’t ready. You think that you’re ready, but you’re not,” Bird said.
Baker said they were crying during the interview and it was just too tough for the parents to let go.
They contacted Community Services again, but haven’t heard anything.
“It’s been (nearly) three months now and they’ve sent one person,” Bird said.
That’s why the pair reached out to The Chronicle Herald, in hopes of spreading the word about the vacancy. Baker said she wonders how many other small options homes in Nova Scotia have vacancies.
In an email, Christina Deveau, a spokesperson for the Department of Community Services, pointed out this is an unlicensed small option home. In this case, the province doesn’t pay for the home itself, but provides funding for each of the residents who live there.
She said the department provides referrals only to licensed homes. In situations like this where the province is supporting living expenses and not funding the facility itself, they don’t provide referrals but “may, with everyone’s consent and permission, put people in touch with each other.”
Deveau said there are currently fewer than 10 vacancies in licensed small option homes provincewide.
“In terms of a waitlist, there are currently 1,700 individuals on the Disability Support Program (DSP) service request list,” Deveau wrote. “About 1,150 of these individuals are currently receiving supports from DSP, but are waiting for another funding program or service, one of which may be a spot in a small option home. There is not a separate waitlist for small option homes.”
THE QUESTION OF FUNDING
Bird and Baker are worried about the funding from Community Services if the opening isn’t filled.
“They’re funding us for three months while we look for (a new resident),” Baker said. “They’re funding us, but they’re not sending (anyone).”
They have funding for three residents until the end of this month, but they’re worried about maintaining the house with the same costs (for example, the staffing stays the same) with their funding reduced by a third.
“And hopefully it’s not gone forever,” Bird said.
Baker and Bird provided this email address for anyone who is interested in the vacancy: breezymichelle@yahoo.com.