For all Residential Services, Companion Linc follows a “Matching Process” to attempt to best pair Companions with Host Home and In-Home Providers. This matching process includes the following:
1. Companion Linc Administration meet with Companion and his/her team to learn about his/her needs and goals.
2. Companion Linc interviews Host Home/In-Home Providers who have successfully passed all required background checks and completed all trainings.
3. Companion Linc initiates a “meet and greet” between the Companion/Companion’s Team and the potential Host Home/In-Home Provider.
4. The Companion/Companion’s Team decides which Host Home/In-Home Providers they would like to schedule a time for an extended visit with the Companion.
5. The Companion/Companion’s Team continues visits with Host Home/In-Home Provider in the community or at the Host Home/In-Home Providers home.
6. The Companion/Companion’s Team chooses the Host Home/In-Home Provider and services are scheduled.
Host Home
Companion Linc is built on the philosophy that individuals in services are most successful when services are provided as a “natural support in natural settings”. Companion Linc provides its residential services in private homes with individuals and/or families called Host Homes. The minimum expectation is that all Host Home Providers provide a healthy, stable home that provides a supportive environment of care. But the real expectation for Hose Homes of Companion Linc is that they care for and include Companions as a real part of their family.
In-Home Services
Companion Linc believes that when possible, In-Home services are the most natural services available. In-Home services include two types of services:
1. Support for a Companion who lives in his/her own residence
2. Support for a Companion who lives with a family member(s)
Companion Linc follows the Matching Process detailed above, and subsequently sub-contracts with the In-Home Provider the Companion/Companion’s Team chooses. The In-Home Provider becomes the main support staff, as well as the main point of contact for the Companion and the Companion’s team. This insures that someone who is truly invested in the Companion, and who is committed to developing a relationship with the Companion and his/her team is responsible for the quality of the services provided.
Companion Linc’s Day Services embodies its Mission, Vision and Service Philosophy in that all services are provided with opportunities in the community that are designed for the community at large, and not only for individuals receiving DD Services. These opportunities include competitive employment, volunteer opportunities and activities in the community that everyone enjoys.
The Stores
Companion Services opened 3 retail Stores in August, 2015 on 132nd and L Street. The three stores, Treasure Cove, Island Blends and Inspired Creations, are all operated by the individuals who attend Companion Services Day Services.
Treasure Cove
This thrift store receives private donations from individuals as well as other businesses in Omaha. It has 5 main store departments: Clothing, Household Goods, Decorations, Electronics (no tv’s) and toys. All donations are received, sorted, cleaned and organized by departments by the Companions. Treasure Cove partners with Open Door Mission for recycling.
Island Blends
Island Blends is a fruit drink/smoothie and internet café’. Customers can select from smoothies, juices and other "island beverages" prepared by the Companions. Island Blends also serves salads and other lunch items. Companions will also provide all customer and café services. Island Blends is always seeking community partnerships in Omaha to sell other items in Island Blends such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and baked goods.
Inspired Creations
Inspired Creations is a retail store that features gifts created by Companions. Inspired Creations also dedicates over half of its space for Companions to be observed making their homemade gifts of jewelry, arts and crafts and rugs. Inspired Creations is always seeking community partnerships to display and sell gifts made by any Companion in the Omaha area.
In 2015, Companion Services developed a new Day Service Program for individuals whose are seeking opportunities in the greater Omaha area for activities and employment.
The Companion Center Omaha is a Day Services’“Hub” for individuals served by Companion Services who are seeking Community Inclusion and Competitive Employment opportunities in the greater Omaha area. The Companion Center is a place for individuals to develop and organize their schedule and/or routine, as well as place for the individual to eat lunch, and coordinate their transportation needs.
What Happens at the Companion Center?
1. Companions are transported to the Companion Center to meet their Job Coaches and peers.
2. All Companions and Job Coaches attend a “Morning Meeting” in which a variety of community-based volunteer and paid opportunities; as well as community integration activities are offered to the Companions.
3. Depending on the Companion’s goals and needs, some Companions will have a daily “menu” to choose from, and others will have an established schedule that is developed by his/her IPP Team.
4. Companions may return to the Companion Center to take breaks between jobs or activities and to eat lunch.
5. All Companions meet back at the Companion Center at the end of the workday to be transported home.
What is Community Inclusion?
Community Inclusion activities are opportunities in the community a Companion may choose to attend, participate in, or visit as they work on independence in community integration. Opportunities will vary depending on the Companion’s goals and wishes, partnerships developed, the time of year, etc. Some of the Community Inclusion Opportunities may include:
1. Volunteering with a partner agency in Omaha such as the Zoo, Open Door Mission, Omaha Parks and Recreation, Churches/Synagogues, Humane Society, etc.
2. Visit parks, malls, museums, etc.
3. Participate in attending movies, bowling, swimming, exercise opportunities in the community, shopping for supplies etc.
What is Competitive Employment?
Competitive Employment occurs when a Companion has gained employment with a business in the Omaha agency. This may also include instances when Companion Services develops an Agreement with a business (ie a grocery store) to have companions work at their place of business, and Companion Services will pay the individual for the work he/she completes at that business.
In both instances, Companion Services Job Coaches support the Companions in employment opportunities in Omaha according to the Companion’s needs.
How Does the Companion Center support Companion Services’ Mission?
The Companion Center fulfills Companion Services’s Mission to provide natural supports in natural settings by providing a “hub” for individuals to launch into the community from every day. The Companion Center allows individuals of varying goals and needs to continually seek and participate in meaningful activities throughout greater Omaha.