Personal Supports

This service may benefit people who could use support with completing specific tasks or developing skills to help them maintain their independence. This service is individualized to a person’s needs and goals through the person-centered-plan, and is designed to accommodate a variety of needs, lifestyles, and goals. It is important to note, however, that we are unable to provide awake overnight support or medication administration through Personal Support Services.

The person supported and their team determines what support a person needs in order to be successful. When starting services, the person and their primary support network will meet with Compass staff to create a plan on what services and tasks will be provided to the person. Throughout service, there are opportunities to reassess and make changes to the services provided as needed.

Services are provided by Compass’ Direct Support Professionals, who are all Mandt and CPR certified. Additionally, many of Compass’ DSPs have elected to receive additional training and are encouraged and supported in doing so.  In 2022, Compass had the most staff training hours on record, with over 10,000 training hours being completed by our service providers.

When onboarding to services, a person completed a form in order to help us look for the best candidate for the person supported. In this process, we consider support wanted, skills needed, personality and character needed, and shard interests. We understand that when someone begins to receive support services, they will be sharing a part of their life with this new person. To create sustainable and meaningful connections and services, we are intentional on how we pair people with providers.

Depending on the support a person needs, and the times they are needed, these programs can share staff. It is not uncommon for a DSP to provide support to a person in getting ready for work, and then assist them at their work site, for example. In this case, a person would participate in the Support Services program and the Meaningful Day program while benefiting from continuity of staff.

These services are flexible to a person’s needs and goals and are planned to fit each person’s life. In this program, there is a minimum of 1 hour every week, and a maximum of 82 hours per week.

Yes, a person in the Personal Support Program is eligible to receive other services as needed. Potential additional services are discussed as part of the admissions process.

The family-managed model of care is a hybrid between traditional services and self-direction. Compass remains the employer of record, but the family takes on greater responsibility for the recruitment, hiring, and supervision of the employees. In practice, the family is the manager and backup to staff they help recruit and hire. If you are interested in exploring this model, it can be discussed in further detail during the admissions process.

Staff in the Personal Support program are unable to administer medication. In the past, people in this program have relied on other methods and support for taking medication, such as through the use of medication dispensing machines. If someone requires medication administration, they should consider our Supported Living program.