In The News: “Making a Difference as reopening continues, demand remains high at food pantries”

RISE’s IRA program, licensed by the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), opened its first IRA residences in December of 1994.

RISE currently operates twelve IRA residences. One of them is our Geriatric IRA in Greenport. Nine of these IRAs are supervised (staff available 24/7) and two are Supportive IRAs (staff available when needed).

RISE’s IRA program serves individuals, both male and female, over 21 years of age, who are diagnosed with developmental disabilities and who function within the severe to moderate range. All our residents receive services on a daily basis through the implementation of a comprehensive Individual Service Plan (ISP). All RISE’s IRA individuals live with 2-5 other housemates and are required to attend Day Program and/or work 5 times a week. All of our services are delivered in a manner which promotes normalization, individualization, and integration into the community. The process of selecting an individual for our services is done by clinical assessment, which includes a review of psychological, psycho-social, medical histories, and contact with relatives and referring Medicaid Service Coordinator.

The hallmark of the Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) program is People-Centered Approach, where the individual is the primary decision maker utilizing the guidance given by advocates, service coordinator, family, professionals, etc. The program’s mission is to create an environment where the individual’s abilities, rather than deficiencies are highlighted; where individual’s choices, hopes, ambitions, and strength provide the basis for meaningful services and allow the individual with the disability to become more empowered and fully engaged in community life. Values of individual independence, interdependence, community inclusion, individuality, and productivity are highly emphasized to enhance individuals’ quality of life and satisfaction.

Our IRA individuals enjoy their community, both inside and outside of the houses. They build individual skills, become more independent with their daily routine and most importantly, they create lasting friendships. Within each of these residences, they are a family. They go on outings, play sports, conduct household chores, work and have fun. Individuals, with the assistance of our program staff and services, continue to set goals and achieve them.

RISE Life Services provides a residential and supported living environment on the East End of Long Island, dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges to RISE to their full potential. To learn more about RISE Life Services, all of our programs, residential housing, job opportunities and more, please browse our website.

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