Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 13 - AGENCY OF HUMAN SERVICES › Sub-Agency 150 - DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 007 - OPERATION OF INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED › Section 13 150 007 - OPERATION OF INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED

Current through June, 2024
Section 1.1
				Overview
The goal of ICF/MR services is to provide habilitation
				  services for mentally retarded people and persons with related conditions, in
				  settings which are normative and least restrictive of personal freedom.
				  Considerable empirical evidence has clearly established the advantages of
				  small, integrated residential facilities which provide normalizing atmospheres
				  and practices. n1 Such residential environments contribute to a reduction in an
				  individual's need for life-long supervised living arrangements and facilitate
				  movement to more independent living arrangements as a resident acquires new
				  skills.
n1 Wolfensberger, W. - Principle of Normalization in Human
				  Services, Toronto, NIMR, 1972.
Physical characteristics of a normal environment dictate that
				  the residence be physically integrated within the community and have exterior
				  and interior features that are similar to a majority of other homes in the
				  neighborhood. Determination of location of the residence should consider
				  several factors, including:
(1)
				whether the proximity of the building to other facilities providing services to
				individuals who are impaired or devalued creates a climate of deviance which
				would have a detrimental effect upon community response to the resident, and;
(2) whether the location of the
				residence affords easy access to community services and recreational facilities
				to foster maximum social integration of the residents.
The interior design of each residence should simulate the
				  functional arrangements of a typical home and should accommodate the needs for
				  personal space. Design and construction of the residence should provide for
				  areas affording privacy to residents when desired, while also providing common
				  use areas which would accommodate all occupants of the home.
The residential program adopting the normalization principle
				  follows a daily schedule which is common to a normal life style, including, but
				  not limited to:
(a) a normal rhythm
				of the day with respect to arising, participating in work/educational/play
				activities, eating and retiring;
(b) a normal rhythm of the week with
				differentiation of schedules for weekdays/weekends, and;
(c) a normal rhythm of the year, including
				the observance of holidays, days with personal significance, and vacations. To
				the extent that a resident is capable of handling the responsibilities
				involved, he/she should be allowed to come and go from the group residence,
				entertain visitors, have appropriate contact with members of the opposite sex,
				experience the normal role of child or adult and take those risks appropriate
				to his/her age. In addition to the appropriate physical design and life-style
				model, individualized programming and qualified staff to carry out that
				programming are essential components in providing for maximum development of
				each resident.