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Evergreen
Presbyterian Ministries
2101 Highway 80
Haughton, Louisiana
71037
Phone (318) 949-5500
Fax (318) 949-5501 |
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- How well is Evergreen staff trained to take care of my loved one?
Except in Oklahoma where the state provides the training, Evergreen requires that all new employees receive 40 hours of pre-service training before ever going to work. This is immediately followed by an on-the-job training that is a minimal of 16 hours in duration and always under the supervision of experienced staff. Prior to beginning pre-service training, potential employees are required to complete a four-hour observation period at the worksite where they will be hired. This is done to ensure that the person understands the type of job it is and to determine ahead of time whether or not he wants to invest his time further.
Evergreen staff is required to successfully complete 40 hours of training each year. We take a person-centered approach to our training and fit our courses around each individual and in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
- What does Evergreen do to ensure the safety of our loved ones?
Unfortunately, not all people have what it takes to deal with folks who have some unique personalities and behaviors. Though we strive to hire only the best and to train our employees against abuse and mistreatment, sometimes we fail. Evergreen has several components in place to emphasize the importance of maintaining the rights and safety of the people we serve.
First, we train our staff from day one about the consequences of abuse and neglect. Before a new employee gets on the job, they are trained in behavior management and ways to appropriately handle inappropriate behavior. When allegations do occur, we follow through with an investigation. Our investigators are well trained and dedicated to the job at hand. Once the investigation is complete, the results, along with the manuscript, are sent through a chain of people who determine the outcome. All investigations are done thoroughly and in a timely manner.
- How often can I write, phone or visit my loved one?
Evergreen supports and encourages contact between the person we serve and his loved ones. You may write, visit or call as often as you can. We work closely with families throughout the transitional period and contact during that time may be pre-determined by the family, the person we are serving and the facility. If frequent calls are upsetting the person, we may work out an arrangement where initial contact is limited until such a time as the person has adjusted to his new surroundings. We support conditions both parties put on calls and visits and always encourage healthy relationships. Evergreen also accommodates families and loved ones in securing travel for the person we serve when this is necessary. In some instances the agency will transport your loved one ourselves while in other cases we will make travel arrangements for your loved one if you are unable to make the trip.
- How will we know how our loved one is doing and what progress he’s making?
We work hard to keep lines of communication open between the agency and loved ones. A meeting will occur every year to discuss your loved one’s progress, program and updates. You will be invited to attend these meetings. As well, you will receive progress reports throughout the year. If your loved one is interdicted, you will be called upon as needs demand.
Family members are encouraged to develop a relationship with staff who works with your loved ones. You may call the home for updates at any time. You will be contacted when significant events occur. Let the staff know when you want to be called.
- What type of back-up plans do you have if staff fail to come to work?
Evergreen’s system to avoid this from ever happening has proven to be successful. First of all, the Division Director, Program Supervisor and Home Manager all carry beepers with them around the clock. Different divisions have different people who carry beepers. If for some reason the staff on the oncoming shift does not arrive for work, the staff presently there contacts one of these people and arrangements are made to either get someone there or for them to get there themselves. Never is an employee on duty ever to leave the people entrusted to our care unattended.
- What do you pay your staff?
Evergreen conducts studies of each area where we have a division and finds out what the average range of salary is in that region for similar positions in our field. We work to keep salaries competitive and will surpass others by implementing a wide range of benefits to go along with that salary. Our employees are very important to us and any time the opportunity is there to reward them with pay increases and cash bonuses we do so. We also have in place a Career Ladder by which our employees have the opportunity to work hard and move up in position and pay. Our staff turnover is relatively low due in part to the satisfaction of our employees.
- How many people typically live in a Community Home?
Typically six people live in one home. Homes vary as to the number of men and women who live in a home together. We do have some homes that are either home to all men or all women.
- Do you ever have problems in your coed homes?
Typically not. Most of them relate to each other more as brother and sister than boyfriend/girlfriend. There is 24-hour supervision in all of our homes.
- Is there a housemother who lives there with the people you serve?
We do not use the housemother/housefather type of staffing arrangement. We believe that it is extremely difficult for one or two people to take care of all the needs of the people living in a home. There is a far greater possibility of staff burnout with the houseparent type of staffing patterns. As well, we don’t want any confusion as to whose house it is. It is the people’s house. We have three shifts of workers in our homes.
- How does someone get admitted to your program?
Procedures for enrollment may vary from state to state. For the complete and accurate information for your state, please call the division nearest you. Ask for the Division Director.
- What kind of cost does a family incur when they place their loved one in a community home?
Applicants to Community Homes must be certified for Title XIX benefits, both financially and medically, for costs to be covered. If certified for Title XIX/Medicaid benefits there is no cost to the family.
- What about medical expenses?
All medical expenses are paid through the Title XIX rate structure. The family is not responsible for medical costs of any kind.
- What is the typical day like for someone living in a community home?
A typical day begins around 6:00 to 6:30 a.m. with the people getting up, dressed and performing personal hygiene tasks first thing in the morning. They have a hardy breakfast and leave for work around 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. At work they spend the morning attending to their jobs and around mid-morning enjoy a break with drinks and snacks if they choose. At noon they enjoy a good meal and time to visit with one another. After work they go to their homes where they begin their evening chores, get busy with their fun time, cook and eat supper (or go out to eat), watch television, go on an outing, etc. Active treatment is also done during this time. Bedtime is of their choosing.
- What are some of the things they do when they are not working?
On week-ends and during week nights most of the people we serve enjoy the same kind of activities that we all enjoy. They do such things as going to the movies, going out to eat, hitting the malls, going to church and sports events, concerts, etc.
- Are the people you serve allowed to date?
Absolutely. Many do have special friends and they will usually date on Friday or Saturday night, just like most other people that are single and who live in the community.
- Does everybody work?
Nearly all of the people we serve who are adults work. Some even have jobs in the community. The only people in our programs who do not work are those who are exceedingly medically fragile and/or those who are 60 years or older and have chosen to retire.
- Do you have set visiting hours?
One of the really good things about Community Homes is the fact that they are “open environments.” This means that the folks who live there can come and go as they please, unless their ID Team has put some type of restriction on their freedom of movement. We do ask that families visit during reasonable hours, i.e. not after 10:00 p.m. when most will be in bed asleep. Now their “coming and going as they please” does not mean that the staff on duty do not know where the people are or what they are doing. It also does not mean that the people we serve are allowed all sorts of strangers in the home. We use caution just like we’re expected to do.
- How often can a person go home for a visit?
Our folks are allowed 45 leave days per fiscal year according to Medicaid regulations. That means that they can be absent from the home for 45 twenty-four hour periods. Short visits, anywhere from 1-23 hours, are not counted in the 45 day total.
- How much support is given to people who live in the Supported Independent Living Program?
In Oklahoma, the state provides Case Management, but we still have our own program coordinators. In the rest of our divisions, Evergreen’s SI Caseworkers provide all the assistance needed by the person. The amount of support is based upon the person’s level of skills and ability. In some cases, people in SIL require 24-hour staff supports. Others require no more than monthly visits.
- What is the family’s role in getting a person set up in Supported Independent Living?
Family support is important when it is available. The family may participate as much as they can. If no family is available, Evergreen ensures that a residence is found, utilities are secured, furniture is obtained and that the person is adjusted and safe. We have many families who enjoy shopping with their loved ones and getting them settled in their own places. Being a part of this stage in their lives is always a pleasant time for families. Evergreen staff will participate as much as needed.
- What is a typical day for people in SIL?
Work is part of the process. This is where Supported Employment and Supported Living staff work together in meeting this goal. Many of our SIL people come from our Community Homes where they have already met these needs. Depending on the level of functioning of the person, their time after work is usually their own to do as they please. When staff is present they usually go over bank accounts, grocery lists, social needs, etc. For those not requiring that assistance from staff, they usually visit friends, prepare their meals, talk on the phone, go shopping, watch television, etc. Actually, that which you do every day is not very different from what they do. It’s a very typical living arrangement and style of living.
- What about church and other religious activities? My son is not Presbyterian.
Evergreen believes and insists on the freedom of religion. We assist those we serve in enjoying the freedom of attending the church of their choice. Upon admission, be clear on what you and your loved one expect by way of religious choices. Evergreen will do everything possible to ensure these expectations are met. Just because we are a Presbyterian organization does not mean we exclude other religious faiths. First and foremost is the right a person has to attend the church of his choice. As well, religion is something a person is involved in by choice. If a person does not choose to participate in religious activities they are not forced to do so.
If you have further questions that are not addressed here, please contact us and feel free to ask the Division Director nearest you or call the President’s Office in Bossier City, LA.
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