Spreading Our Wings-Wingspan’s Specialized Services Unit
In addition to Residential and In-Home Services, Wingspan Life Resources continues to respond to community needs by extending its reach. The Specialized Community Supports (SCS) unit, under the leadership of Director of Special Services Camille Willner, not only includes crisis respite homes such as Harmony House, but will provide long-term residential care and supports in homes, such as Hope House, for adults with significant behavioral challenges that have not found success in traditional long-term placement.
Additional training in crisis prevention, intervention, and resolution is provided for staff assigned to SCS. Homes may be modified to meet the needs of those residing there.
Harmony House, which received its first client in February of 2018, is Wingspan’s first crisis respite home for short-term care and intervention strategies. It provides
- For relief and support of the caregiver and protection of the person or others living with the person
- For a person’s need for behavioral or medical intervention
A person is eligible to receive crisis respite services when caregivers and service providers are not able to provide necessary intervention and protection of the person or others living with that person. Crisis respite services allow the person to avoid institutional placement.
Hope House, purchased in June of 2021, is the first of what may be several Wingspan long-term care homes planned to accommodate clients with increased needs including needs that may be influenced by more challenging behaviors.
- Unique strategies allow them to be more successful in a residential setting designed for up to two clients. These clients may not thrive as well in a typical group home setting (which typically have an average of 4 clients) due to the unique attributes of their highly specialized care plan.
- Person-centered support is continuously adapted to the individual with their input
- Success-oriented strategies include positive reinforcement
A person is eligible for Specialized Community Supports if he or she is on one of the following waivers:
- Brain Injury (BI)
- Community Alternative Care (CAC)
- Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI)
- Developmental Disabilities (DD)
Crisis respite clients are referred to Wingspan through Metro Crisis Coordination Program (MCCP) (952) 767-3125. Other specialized service clients are referred to Wingspan through the Minnesota Department of Human Services(DHS) or through a family member.
For more information about Wingspan’s crisis respite services, please contact Camille Willner, Director of Specialized Services, at cwillner@wingspanlife.org or 651-242-5847.