Tips on Choosing a Care Facility

Desiring a quality service provider is a given. But determining which provider meets your loved one’s and your family's needs, lifestyle and philosophy takes some research and discussion. Here are some tips to help you when researching adult care providers.

Admission

Is the facility licensed and/or accredited?

St. Coletta follows all licensing rules & regulations and frequently receives cite-free surveys. In addition, St. Coletta has received accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an international accrediting commission, for its community employment services, overall agency business practices, supported living programs in Madison and Jefferson and community housing program in Illinois.

Does the provider allow prospective applicants to visit actual homes and talk to current clients?

Applicants and their families/guardians are encouraged to visit prospective homes and meet with staff and clients to learn more about St. Coletta programs and services.

If a family member has any special conditions or needs, is the facility prepared/equipped to meet them?

St. Coletta’s staff conducts a thorough application process including a review of relevant records and a personal interview to assure that all needs are identified and that procedures are in place to meet those needs.

Communication/Visitation

What is the policy for visits or vacations?

St. Coletta encourages strong family connections and opportunities for individuals to spend time with their families. For those clients who have jobs, the staff assists them in making necessary arrangements with employers to plan time away.

Can a family member take part in special events and trips?

Events are scheduled during the year that encourages family participation. Among them are the Fall Family Conference, Summer Picnic, Milwaukee Bucks Benefit Event and the Summer Golf Classic.

Is there a parent group or program?

St. Coletta enjoys the support of Illinois Friends for St. Coletta, for those served in Illinois; and the Family Association, for family members from other locations.

Costs

What are the fees and what do they cover?

Costs are determined by a Fee-for-Service model that assures individuals pay only for services received. Many individuals are funded through their home counties or state programs, including Family Care and the Community Integration Program.

Are there extra fees (such as activity fees or enrichment opportunities) in addition to the cited standard fees?

Additional opportunities such as adult education classes, horseback riding, attendance at sporting events and attendance at theme parks are chosen by the client, and the cost is the responsibility of the client/family.

Homes/Neighborhoods

Where are the homes located?

St. Coletta is a community based program with homes scattered throughout the communities in which it operates.

What do the homes/physical environments look like?

St. Coletta homes are furnished and maintained to be homelike, attractive and safe.

Nutrition

Are there menus in the homes? Are they followed?

St. Coletta posts menus in the homes. There are three seasonal cycles of six weeks of rotating menus that were developed by a dietitian. The menus are adapted according to the client’s preferences, seasonal availability and budget.

Are healthy snacks and exercise promoted?

St. Coletta encourages each home to have healthy snacks available to the clients; fresh fruits, vegetables, etc. Many homes measure out portion sized snacks into small zip lock bags for lunches and snack time. Each home has household meetings where the staff and clients discuss healthy eating and exercise. Depending on the needs and capabilities of the clients and homes, exercise is promoted. Daily exercises include walks, biking on exercise bikes and swimming. Many exercises are practice at the client’s home.

Are meals prepared for the clients?

The staff prepares meals with assistance from clients depending on the capabilities of the individuals. All clients, regardless of their capabilities, are encouraged to help as best as they can.

Programs

Do the clients participate in their program planning? Are parents/guardians encouraged to participate in program planning?

Both clients and their families/guardians are encouraged to participate in program planning. A formal meeting to discuss the Individual Service Plan (ISP) is held twice a year (annual and semi-annual). Clients and their families/guardians are also involved in day-to-day decisions that affect the overall plan. These decisions include: medical care, recreational activities, health and safety concerns, community activates and spirituality practice.

Security/Safety

What is the staff-to-client ratio in the homes? Does this ratio change throughout the day?

The staff-to-client ratio depends on the needs of the clients in the home. Some homes only need a skills trainer who comes in for a few hours a day or week. Other homes have staff present around the clock. The staff-to-client ratio may also change throughout the day depending on the needs of the clients living in the home.

What happens in the event of an illness or injury at the home or work site?

Medical intervention is sought depending on the injury or illness. If the person needs to come home due to the illness or accident, the person may be able to go to his or her own home with staff support or they may have to go to a home already scheduled with staff and stay there until a staff member is available to support them in their own home.

Spirituality

Are there opportunities for people of all faiths to practice their faith?

St. Coletta is geographically dispersed, so not every community where its clients reside has a place of worship for their particular faith. However, St. Coletta attempts to build natural bridges of support to accommodate the needs of the clients and their religious worship preferences. Many clients are registered members of different churches in their communities and actively participate in them. Clients also have a variety of options for worship through St. Coletta’s Director of Mission Effectiveness, who goes to many of the homes for religious activities, prayer services and bible studies.

Staff

How is the staff recruited, trained and retained?

Recruitment is done internally and externally. Internally the job is posted on the St. Coletta Web site, Employee Intranet, a Job Board outside of the Human Resources Office and at Alverno. St. Coletta also offers employee referral bonuses. Externally, advertisements are sent to newspapers in the communities where St. Coletta operates, career Web sites, radio stations, local events and neighboring universities. St. Coletta also attends career fairs in the area. Amy Kazda was recently hired as a recruiter for St. Coletta. Her primary focus will be researching new recruitment strategies and hiring quality applicants for all St. Coletta’s Wisconsin positions.

Paid training is provided for all staff. Required trainings differ depending on the nature of the job. Classroom trainings include First Aid, CPR, Fire Safety, Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Client Rights, Safe Driving, Safe Chemical Use, Intro to DD and MR, Mandt-Behavioral Strategies, Diabetic, Medications, Personal Care Supplement, Body Mechanics, ISP Process and a variety of Continued Education opportunities that are offered throughout the year. Residential Staff are required to complete 15 hours of continued education annually. All staff also receive on-site training. Training is offered to outside agencies for a fee.

Special events are planned throughout the year to celebrate the staff and show how much they are appreciated. Employee appreciation events include cookouts, employee recognition for years of service banquets, holiday celebrations, appreciation gifts and much more.

What is the turnover rate of the staff?

Our turnover is roughly 2% monthly, 6% quarterly and 25% annually.

What is the level of staff involvement?

Staffing depends on the number of clients in the home (between two and ten) as well as their individual needs. Homes can have intermittent staff coverage where staff comes to support the clients every other day or so. Some homes have staff come twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Other homes have one to two staff members during the day, again depending on the needs of the clients. St. Coletta also has homes that require staff to be present 24 hours a day to support clients in day to day activities: bathing, grooming, medication passing, medical treatments, transportation, household tasks, recreational activities and money management.