Best Practices – Shared

Submission date: 10/16/2008
Submitted by: Barbara Allen
Provider name: Shared (Human
Development Center, Mentally Retarded Defendant Program, probation
officers, court systems, HARTLINE and Adult Protective Services)
APD Area: 23

Practice
MRDP – When an individual is admitted to the Human Development Center (HDC) program, MRDP has a full understanding of the program, provides transportation from the state hospital to the HDC group home, and shares information, files, etc. to ensure that the individual and group home have all needed information to provide effective services. MRDP has also allowed this agency to tour their facility so HDC has a better understanding of the system.

The probation officers are an integral part of the individual’s life, and on-going communication between the PO and the courts is needed to provide individuals with the opportunity to have fewer restrictions as appropriate.

Adult protective services: A trainer from Adult protective services has met with a small group of individuals served to discuss appropriate use of the abuse hotline.

HARTLINE – with permission from the PO and cooperation from the bus line, bus training is beginning to for one individual.

Who Benefits? How?
MRDP – allows individuals to have residential placement in the community rather than state institutions or prisons.

Probation officers, court systems, and HARTLINE – one individual has been working in Ybor city for several years and will be trained on using the bus to increase his independence and decrease reliance on paid supports.

Adult protective services – has allowed individuals to understand not only the natural consequences of false allegations, but also ensure they have a greater understanding of the consequences of any abuse they perpetrate and what to do if they are a victim (addresses past history of abuse by empowering individuals to call when appropriate).