Community Partners

The Community Partners program provides individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities living independently in the community with non-traditional case management supports in a partnership model. This approach utilizes the community to the greatest extent possible. The program aims to minimize the need for formal human services, enhance quality of life, and eliminate the potential risk of inappropriate institutional placement.

Community Partners serves individuals who have are ineligible for other services or unable to make the connection on their own. While the ultimate goal of a partnership is community integration and involvement, initial contact is frequently made during a time of crisis. Partnerships formed between case managers and clients are short-term ventures that work to aggressively facilitate community integration.

By providing a variety of services, solutions are often found to significant issues such as medical emergencies, potential evictions, extreme isolation, financial challenges, difficulty obtaining attendant care and other services as well as locating accessible/affordable housing. The resolution of long-term issues or crises then leads to the primary goal of community integration.

Community Partners

• Promote relationships by helping individuals seek out and maintain relationships in the community.
• Offer traditional case management by determining with the partner what services are needed in their lives and coordinating those resources in the community.
• Provide Information and Referral by helping individuals learn about other social and human services they might be eligible for.
• Search for Housing by assisting individuals with finding safe and accessible housing.
• Supply Employment Referral by referring individuals to supported employment services.
•  Provide Life Skills Education by providing the practical education and training skills necessary to perform activities of daily living safely.
• Give Protective Services/Crisis Intervention by providing temporary assistance to people during times of extreme hardship.
• Assist with Problem Solving/Counseling by helping individuals with problem solving and coping skills, interpersonal relationships and developing and maintaining relationships. Referrals include appropriate counseling resources and support groups.
• Promote Advocacy in Transportation by assisting individuals with securing basic transportation needs.

For more information about Community Partners or to make a referral, please contact UCP/CLASS at (412) 683-7100, toll-free 1-888-954-2424, or info@ucpclass.org.