Bethesda’s Supported Living Services Programs - Providing safe homes, respite, or family living to ensure dignity, independence, and care for adults

Bethesda’s Group Home Living is for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who desire full-time residence with a small group of peers.

Bethesda’s Group Home Living offers a variety of housing arrangements throughout the Niagara Region, including urban and rural settings and barrier-free accommodations.

At Bethesda, we have trained staff that provides 24-hour support to individuals living in a family-like setting. Individuals participate individually or as a group in community activities of their choice. Individuals may be supported by other Bethesda programs, including Chaplaincy, Recreation, and Leisure Services.

The Familyhome program, started in 1984 as part of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Service’s commitment to providing a range of services for adults 18 and older with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities .

Over time, the name of the program changed, but the overall goals of Familyhome have remained consistent to:

Provide adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities a home-like setting with a sense of family, safety, continuity, and security.

Promote a high quality of life.

Support community involvement, social inclusion, individual choice, independence, and rights and responsibilities.

Through Familyhome, Ontario families and citizens (home providers) can offer a safe and nurturing environment for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities .

LifeShare (also known as Host Family) is so much more than providing a room in your home.

Being a home provider means you’re giving someone with special needs “a place in your heart, a place in your home” to support individuals living and contributing as members of a caring family.

The Familyhome / LifeShare Program encourages personal choice, decision making, independence, and participation in the community.

Familyhome Providers are carefully screened through references and police checks, health and fire home inspections, and extensive interviews.

Familyhome Providers receive 24-hour on-call support from Case Managers.

Day Program: Each individual who is a part of the Familyhome program will be offered a day program placement Monday through Friday.

Respite/Vacation: Each Familyhome Provider will receive monthly respite as well as vacation time each year.

Bethesda’s Supported Independent Living (SIL) program is for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who desire to live in the community alone or with others but independently of family members or a caregiver.

Bethesda’s Supported Independent Living program provides support for daily living, as needed, and training related to money management, banking, using public transportation, and other life skills.

The SIL program encourages personal choice, decision-making, independence, and participation in the community.

Bethesda’s Adult Respite Services is for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who live at home with their families.

Bethesda’s Adult Respite Services offers three options for individuals and families to choose from:

• Weekend activity-based respite in a four-bedroom home setting in Vineland. Participants enjoy various recreational opportunities, including crafts, games, music, picnics, swimming, bowling, etc., based on their interests, strengths, and needs. During the summer months and periodically throughout the year, respite services are offered weekly, and individuals may utilize this service for up to two weeks.

• Community based respite activities such as bowling, recreational events, movies

• Short in-house respite within a person’s home for up to 3 hours at a time

Special conditions apply.

Advanced planning is essential and regular, planned respite is recommended as space is limited.