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Guiding
Principles
The following
principles provide the Village Integrated Service Agency staff and members
with the general guidelines for our interactions and represent the basic
philosophy under which we operate.
We believe
in:
1. Members
"driving" our program through their expressions of personal
interests, needs
and goals.
2. Focusing on
the whole person, their capacity and abilities as an individual (rather
than on their illness or disability).
3. Encouraging
risk taking by members while providing high support.
4. Promoting
self determination by supporting and encouraging members to make their
own choices.
5.
Individualizing services and approaches based on member goals and needs.
6. Allowing
natural consequences to become opportunities for growth and learning.
7. Integrating
members into community environments in all aspects of life, including
work, social, and residence.
8. Focusing on
the here and now rather than on problems from the past.
9.
Establishing adult to adult relationships between members and staff,
minimizing professional distance.
10. Perceiving
failure not as a defeat but as a chance for learning and personal growth.
11. Evaluating
program success based on member outcomes in the areas of employment,
residence, social, legal, substance, education, finances, and physical
health.
12. Promoting
employment as a powerful means of building self esteem and self worth.
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13. Promoting
self help and interdependence.
14.
Providing single point accountability that encourages staff to
follow, support and advocate for members in whatever setting
necessary to meet their life goals.
15.
Offering these services to members for an indefinite duration of
time regardless of the severity of their illness or their behavior. |
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16. Hope
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