Common Questions and Answers
About MRSI's Programs

What is the Residential Habilitation program?
Most of the consumers of the MRSI, Day Hab. program are also involved in the Residential Living program. Res. Hab. provides consumers the opportunity to live in a natural community setting similar to other members of the community. Consumers help to maintain the household and participate in community activities with the assistance of staff.

What does the consumers' residence look like?
All residences are located in regular neighborhoods throughout Evanston. The houses are similar to others located in the neighborhood with only the most necessary accommodations added to enhance access for those clients needing them.

How many people live at the house?
The number of consumers living at the house varies from 1 to 6. This allows consumers the opportunity to choose the type of setting with which they are most comfortable.

What's an average day like at Res. Hab.?
Consumers and staff take care of all the daily routines such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping. After meals and chores are completed consumers engage in activities of their choice such as shopping, movies, community events etc.

Do the consumers ever get time to themselves?
Each consumer has their own personal living space ( bedroom ) where they may spend time alone, as deemed appropriate. Consumers also participate in home visits, Special Olympics, and individual community outings, where they may be free of MRSI staff supervision.

Does anyone ever leave the Res. Hab. Program to live alone?
Yes! Several consumers have progressed and left the supervised living setting to live independently and self-sufficiently, with only minimal support from MRSI staff.

Day Habilitation

What is the Day Habilitation Program?
Consumers of the Day Hab. Program participate in a variety of activities and therapies during the work week. Consumers meet at the MRSI center from 9 am to 4 pm, during which time they attend scheduled appointments with Psychologists, Case managers, the Occupational Therapist, the Dietition, Nurses, and other professionals on an as needed basis. When not visiting professional staff for appointments, consumers are involved in "Life Centered Career Education" curriculum, as well as community integration activities, supported employment, volunteer work, and preferred leisure activities.

What is the "Life Centered Career Education" curriculum?
The LCCE is published by the Council for Exceptional Children and is designed to aid it's participants in learning skills in the areas of daily living, personal-social skills, and occupational guidance and preparation, in order to achieve their "highest levels of economic, personal, and social fulfillment." Consumers participate in weekly assignments in one of the three skill areas, aided by trained staff who will assist each person in achieving some level of skill that can be applied in a natural setting.

How many consumers participate in Day habilitation?
There are nearly 70 consumers involved in Day Hab., but were still growing! Several more individuals are scheduled to join us soon.

How are the consumers "grouped" at Day Habilitation?
We currently have consumers assigned to five different groups: Group 1: Seniors; those 55+. Presently this group consists of 18 seniors who participate in all of MRSI's services as well as those provided by the Unita County Senior Citizens Center. Groups 2,3,and 5: Social Adjustment; consumers are designated to these three groups based on their skill levels and ability to maintain tasks. Group 4: Basics; consumers range from severe to profound MR and receive assistance in daily living , fine and gross motor skills and sensory stimulation.

What kind of training do staff receive?
After the initial week long orientation staff receive on the job training from Community Support Supervisors, most of whom have long experiences with the persons served. Staff are also involved in on-going Staff Development training and Recertifications in CPR, First Aid, MANDT, etc.