SITE

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Last updated on May 10, 2006

As a private, non-profit organization, our primary mission is to provide supports, programs and services that enhance the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities. Through a range of individualized services we seek to promote abilities and achievements that contribute to self-respect, personal development, purposeful work, and meaningful participation in the community.

Description:
Amicus has several programs within the Bangor Area to support the needs of adults with disabilities.

Multiple Handicap Center
96 Thirteenth Street,
MHC provides supports such as physical, occupational, and communication therapy on a varied daily schedule and includes the use of community sites for recreation and socialization. Support in all activities of daily living seeks to increase independence and satisfaction with everyday experiences while enhancing social and emotional stability, security, and confidence

Penobscot Valley Industries
Ralph Leek Elders
68 Hillside Avenue
PVI provides an array of experiences designed to support personal growth, wellness, self-advocacy, life planning, work opportunities, and independence. As often as possible, activities take place at community sites.

Ralph Leek Elders supports the unique needs and interests of older adults with disabilities. The focus is on building and keeping community connections.

Community Life has three program services, Person Centered Planning, Amicus Housing Personal Supports, and the Community Skills Project. The main office is located at 96 Thirteenth Street

The Community Resource Project serves people with disabilities who live independently or with their families. Groups meet regularly to plan and carry out recreational and community service activities.
Amicus Housing supports tenants who live in HUD subsidized apartments or independently in the community. They are assisted with budgeting, meal planning, home maintenance, and other skills for community living.

Person Centered Planning facilitates a process of individualized program planning that, to the extent possible, places each program participant in control of both the planning process and the plan itself.

Phoenix Employment and Rehabilitation
230 Bomarc Road

Phoenix provides support to enable people with a wide range of disabilities to develop productive and satisfying lifetime careers. This includes on-site assembly and production work, job development, short and long-term supported employment, assessment of career interests and skills, and activities to enhance skills needed to live and work independently.

Applied Behavioral Analysis Consultants
96 Thirteenth Street

Applied Behavioral Analysis is a nationally recognized and proven system that helps people in a positive way, to control behavior that prevents full participation in community life, gainful employment, or achievement of personal goals. This service includes evaluation, program development, staff training, documentation, and follow-up.

VISION

We envision helping to create a community where people can freely participate in all areas of community life regardless of their abilities. Our function is to provide a broad framework of supports which relate to the personal goals developed with each individual. We will set a standard of excellence, which affirms the complex nature of each person and advocates a creative and compassionate approach at each level of achievement.

VALUES

Dignity of the Individual
Mutual Respect
Purposeful Work
Community Inclusion
Personal Initiative
Independence

MISSION

As a private, non-profit organization, our primary mission is to provide supports, programs and services that enhance the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities. Through a range of individualized services we seek to promote abilities and achievements that contribute to self-respect, personal development, purposeful work, and meaningful participation in the community.



Policy on Human Rights
It is the policy of Amicus to insure that persons with disabilities have the same rights as persons without disabilities.
The right to the least restrictive environment.
The right to be free from unreasonable discipline.
The right to know and understand the rules by which they must live.
The right to be free from illegal physical restraints.
The right to be free from inappropriate or illegal behavior modification or physical or emotional abuse.
The right to be involved and offer input into the planning of their programs, and in creation of the rules by which they live.
The right to be represented by persons within the organization which serves them.
The right to privacy of their records, and the right to view their records.
The right to receive fair wages for work.
The individual's rights may not be abrogated except by due process

Policy on Input from Persons Served
It is the policy of Amicus to actively seek input from persons served. This means that consumers or their legal guardians are part of the decision making team. This team has the responsibility to help persons served to develop plans to achieve their goals and dreams through an open minded and creative focus on the individual. It is necessary to communicate this plan and to ask his/her opinion and approval in the most understandable way possible.

Eligibility for Services
Admission decisions are based on the entrance criteria for each program, the needs, interests, and aspirations of the applicant, the compatibility of the applicant with the program peer group, and eligibility for funding.
Entrance criteria include the ability to function within the ratio of staff to participants in each program. The process usually includes a home visit and an opportunity for the applicant to visit the Amicus site. The menu of services will then be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual. Ineligible applicants may be referred to a more appropriate program.

Orientation
People served by Amicus will receive an orientation, which will introduce relevant policies and procedures. These relate to professional standards, the rights and responsibilities of program participants, our vision, values, and mission, details of program procedures, and ways to appeal of agency decisions. The process by which goals and objectives are set and the approach of Person Centered Planning will be discussed along with methods used to assess individual progress. Signing of release forms will take place at this time.



Right to Confidentiality
All employees of Amicus shall abide by rules of confidentiality regarding records, authorized release of information or photographs, and prohibition of discussion regarding persons served without need to know.

Policy on Emergency and Crisis Procedures
It is the policy of Amicus that the least restrictive and least intrusive alternative in behavior management is used to protect the health, safety, and personal growth, of participants in our programs. Employees are trained in a graduated system of responses, which have been shown to be humane and effective methods of behavior management that protect the rights of the consumer. We will adhere to the guidelines and critical incident reporting system of the Bureau of Behavioral and Developmental Services



Policy for Reporting and Investigating Alleged Mistreatment
Employees are obliged to protect the human rights of persons served, and to report suspected mistreatment. A signed account of any incident will be given to the Program Director. The Program Director will inform the Executive Director of the alleged infraction and the guardian will be contacted. Substantiated charges will result in immediate disciplinary action.

History:
Amicus has been serving the greater Bangor community for over thirty years. Originally Amicus was known as Multiple Handicap Center, but changed it's name to better reflect an important revolution in thinking. Amicus, meaning friend in Latin reflects a philosophy of fellowship with an emphasis on similarities rather than differences.

Contact people:

Heidi Godsoe, Deputy Director, (phone), (email) Karen Benson, MHC, Program Director, (phone), (email) Edward Bouchea, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 207-941-2888

Address:

96 Thirteenth Street Bangor, ME 04401 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.volunteersolutions.org

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: Union Street, 3 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Will you take volunteers that must do court ordered community service?
	In Some Cases
Will you take youth volunteers that are 11-15 years old?
	No
Will you take youth volunteers 16-18 years old?
	Yes

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