Opportunity Homes, Inc.

Utilizing residential options, the mission of Opportunity Homes, Inc. is to assist individuals with disabilities in skill development and choice making, which will allow them to access supports and services necessary to reach their potential.

What is informed choice?

An informed choice ensures that all the necessary information about a decision is provided.  Decisions consider the value of the individual and not that of staff.  Most decisions are based on a choice that was selected from the available options.  Consequences need to be considered when providing informed choice.  No one should be in a potentially or blatantly risky, exploitive or abuse situation as a matter of personal choice.

Who will support me or my family member with money management?

Opportunity Homes, Inc. offers representative payee services.  Any changes within representative payeeship will require a joint effort between family members and Opportunity Homes, Inc. in contacting the Social Security Administration.

In addition, through the interdisciplinary team and use of internal assessments, Opportunity Homes, Inc. will assess individual skill level related to financial and money management skills.  With that information, appropriate training and supports will be provided to the person served to promote success.

What is my role as a guardian?  What will my guardian do?

A guardian (legal responsible party) is appointed to make decisions about a person's needs or affairs other than financial matters.  These may include decisions about things like medical treatment, where the person lives, and arrangements for services such as meals, person care, training and education.  (The Iowa State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 1998).

As a person serves as a guardian, there may be limitations with the role.  Based on the court documents, a guardian may be specifically assigned the role over medical, financial needs or a general or full guardian.  As a guardian, their role is to make decisions for the person they are responsible for.  These decisions include, but are not limited to; medically based, confidentially, service options, and finances (as specified in guardianship papers).  A guardian will also assist Opportunity Homes, Inc. with completing necessary paperwork for proper service provision, for example, a social history.

However, within a guardian's role, there may be powers that a guardian can exercise only with the court's approval, such as changing a permanent residence if the proposed residence is more restrictive than the current residence; arranging the provision of major elective surgery or any non-emergency major medical procedure; and consenting to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures.

Even with a court-appointed guardian, individual's who receive services will learn their rights and accompanying responsibilities, as well as be encouraged to have their rights respected.  These rights include the right to participation, privacy, autonomy, and treatment.  Upon admission, each consumer and guardian will be informed of his/her rights and annually thereafter. 

What is the official AAMR definition of mental retardation?

Mental retardation is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before the age of 18. A complete and accurate understanding of mental retardation involves realizing that mental retardation refers to a particular state of functioning that begins in childhood, has many dimensions, and is affected positively by individualized supports. As a model of functioning, it includes the contexts and environment within which the person functions and interacts and requires a multidimensional and ecological approach that reflects the interaction of the individual with the environment, and the outcomes of that interaction with regards to independence, relationships, societal contributions, participation in school and community, and personal well being.

What is a disability?

A disability refers to personal limitations that represent a substantial disadvantage when attempting to function in society. A disability should be considered within the context of the environment, personal factors, and the needs for individualized supports.

What is Intelligence?

Intelligence refers to a general mental capability. It involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience. Although not perfect, intelligence is represented by Intelligent Quotient (IQ) scores obtained from standardized tests given by a trained professional. In regard to the intellectual criterion for the diagnosis of mental retardation, mental retardation is generally thought to be present if an individual has an IQ test score of approximately 70 or below. An obtained IQ score must always be considered in light of its standard error of measurement, appropriateness and consistency with administration guidelines. Since the standard error of measurement for most IQ tests is approximately 5, the ceiling may go up to 75. This represents a score approximately 2 standard deviations below the mean, considering the standard error of measurement. It is important to remember, however, that an IQ score is only one aspect in determining if a person has mental retardation. Significant limitations in adaptive behavior skills and evidence that the disability was present before age 18 are two additional elements that are critical in determining if a person has mental retardation.

Last modified: 08/05/08