Program Overview
The earliest services developed by Advocates for people in transition were group homes for individuals being discharged from psychiatric institutions. Today, Advocates provides a range of housing situations for people with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's Disease, Prader-Willi Syndrome, chemical dependency, or any combination of the above.
Options include group homes providing round-the-clock supervision; supported living in which individuals live on their own but receive assistance as needed; shared living situations where community residents welcome clients into their homes as family members; and sober housing programs for people who want support in staying chemical free. Advocates also works pro-actively with local housing authorities, shelters and landlords to establish programs that prevent homelessness by making housing affordable for at-risk individuals and families.
Who We Serve
Today Advocates provides services and support in a variety of housing situations for people with:
• Mental illness
• Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Developmental disabilities
• Substance abuse
• Physical disabilities
• Any combination of the above
Advocates Specialized Residential Supports
Deaf Services Advocates provides residential support to persons who are Deaf and diagnosed with mental illness or developmental disabilities. These services occur in group home and apartment settings and are provided in a culturally sensitive environment. These programs are staffed by persons who are Deaf. Advocates offers ASL classes to all employees and Deaf culture training on an on-going basis.
Prader-Willi Syndrome is a rare birth defect that affects one in 10,000 individuals and results in weak muscle tone, insatiable appetite, incomplete sexual development, and some degree of mental retardation. By late adolescence and early adulthood, almost all individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome have serious personality and behavioral problems. Prader-Willi Syndrome has no cure, and without proper treatment can result in morbid obesity through compulsive eating. We offer programs that provide structure and support for weight management, behavioral issues and personal care that lead to improvement in health and quality of life. Advocates is a member of the national PWSA Care Providers Advisory Board, and our residential programs for persons diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome have been nationally recognized. For more information, check out our Prader-Willi Syndrome Services page.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive treatment that blends cognitive-behavioral therapy and Eastern meditation practice. DBT has proven effectiveness in reducing behaviors that interfere with quality of life, such as serious self-injury, suicide attempts and high rates of hospitalization. Advocates' DBT Program offers individual therapy, weekly skills training, and intensive residential treatment.
Intentional Care Performance Standards that Support Recovery and Empowerment by Advocates staff and consumers with Patricia Deegan, Ph.D., a national consumer consultant.
The Intentional Care approach provides performance-based guidelines that help to bridge the gap between the principles of recovery and empowerment and the real-world application of these principles in the every day work of direct service staff and supervisors. Advocates provides consultation and training in this approach nationally. You can learn more about Advocates' Intentional Care at http://www.intentionalcare.org/
Types of Housing Services
• Group Homes providing around-the-clock support to individuals on-site
• Supported Living in which individuals live on their own but receive assistance as needed
• Shared Living situations where community residents welcome people with disabilities into their homes as family members
• Supported Home Care and Individualized Home Care are certified Adult Foster Care programs. They provide consistent, person-centered care in the comfort of home to Mass Health-eligible individuals over 16 who, because of medical and physical, cognitive or psychiatric problems, cannot safely live alone.
Eligibility and Referral - Mental Health Services
The majority of Advocates Inc. Mental Health Residential programs are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Eligibility for and referral to these programs is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Advocates McKinney Supported Housing programs provide housing and support to individuals who have been diagnosed with mental illness and are homeless. Referrals to these programs can be made directly to Advocates Inc. Advocates, Inc. offers a small number of privately paid residential placements. Eligibility is determined case by case. Please contact us for more information.
Fee Structure
Individuals funded by Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
Individuals living in our 24 hour staffed group home pay 65% of their income.
This fee includes: rent, utilities, phone (long distance calls are separate) food, furnishings and staff.
Individuals living in residential group settings that do not include the cost of food pay 45% of their income
Individuals living in apartments owned or leased by Advocates pay 30% of their income.
Individuals funded by McKinney HUD pay 30% of their income.
Eligibility and Referral - Developmental Disabilities Services
Most of the individuals receiving support from Advocates Inc Developmental Disabilities Residential programs are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. Eligibility and referral to these programs are determined by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. http://www.state.ma.us/dmr
Advocates offers a small number of privately paid residential placements. Eligibility is determined case by case. Please contact us for more information.
Fee Structure
Advocates Inc. Developmental Disability Residential services are available to Department of Developmental Services eligible persons without regard for their ability to pay. However, such persons are expected to seek any and all benefits to which they are entitled from federal, state, and local governments, including Social Security, SSI, SSDI, General Relief, Fuel Assistance, and Family Assistance. Advocates, Inc. will actively assist clients in obtaining any and all benefits to which they are entitled and will assist clients during their wait to receive benefits. Under Department of Mental Retardation regulations and Advocates, Inc. policies, individuals are charged a portion of their benefits or earned income.
Individuals living in our 24 hour staffed group home pay 75% of their income.
This fee includes: rent, utilities, phone (long distance calls are separate) food, furnishings and staff.
Individuals living in apartments owned or leased by Advocates pay 30% of their income.
For More Information, contact:
Beth Lacey
Director, Residential Services
508-628-6646
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Advocates Inc., One Clarks Hill, Suite 305, Framingham, MA 01702
508.628.6300 | TTY 508.628.6303 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
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Supporting you, your loved ones, your friends, Your neighbors...
Advocates provides support services for people with:
- Mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse
- Intellectual or developmental disabilities or co-occurring mental illness and developmental disability
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Autism and pervasive developmental disabilities
- Acquired or traumatic brain injury
We also provide support services for:
- Deaf adults with mental illness or a developmental disability
- Families who are supporting a family member with a disability
- Elders living in the community who may have a mental illness or substance abuse disorder
- Adults with a mental health diagnosis in jail or re-entering the community
- Youth in transition from foster care
- Individuals and families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness
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