The professionally trained full time staff work as a team to help each person develop
and learn various life skills such as housekeeping, laundry, menu planning, grocery
shopping, and cooking.
The staff also helps each resident to recognize the importance of good personal
grooming habits and healthy sleep patterns. An integral part of the program is the
required attendance at a structured daytime activity such as a day program,
employment, or a volunteer job. FIR assists in this aspect by providing transportation
if needed. Social interaction and good inter-personal skills are encouraged through
planned weekly group activities based on the residents’ preferences.
The FIR staff also monitors self-administration of all medication. Medication management may include:
reminding residents to take medication, assistance in obtaining and filling prescriptions, and keeping all
medications secure.
All operations are made possible through fees from the residents, public and private grants and tax
deductible charitable contributions.
Members of FIR voluntarily oversee the operation of the program. Committees of volunteers give
parties, maintain the properties and raise money when necessary. Others serve on various committees
which administer personnel, budget and other supportive functions.
The FIR structure includes a Director who supervises the staff and residences. The Director
manages a professionally trained staff 24/7/365 providing direct care for the residence. All
personnel contribute their various talents in support of the mentally ill residents through the
teaching of living skills, providing medication education and giving emotional support. They assist
the residents in the activities of daily living such as planning menus, recreational activities, and
household chores. Each resident prepares one meal per week under the supervision and support
of the Activity Director. Personal laundry, hygiene and work duties around the house are some of
the other staff-assisted activities. Each resident is required to be involved in a daily activity,
planned jointly by the residents, staff and family. This daily activity is planned to be as low-stress
as possible yet also challenging enough for the resident’s growth toward independence and self-
esteem. Daily activities may include attending County or private day treatment programs for the mentally ill, volunteer work, school
and vocational training, or working part or full time.
An important element of FIR is family involvement. Since FIR is composed of families and friends of
the residents, they are an important link in the total rehabilitative process. Our philosophy stresses
the importance of family involvement, not only for maintaining the houses in good order, but also as a
part of the resident’s rehabilitative process. FIR believes it residents draw great encouragement
through continued interest and support of the families. Often the staff holds staff-family conferences
to review each resident’s progress. In the way, staff and family work together in dealing with the
growth and progress of residents.
Our home should not be viewed as simply housing. At Family Initiative Residences, Inc., members and staff work together to teach
our residents living skills, provide emotional support, encourage independence and improve self-esteem. Through our collective
efforts, the residents receive not only an alternative to the streets and institutions, but also the ability to experience and live life in
spite of their illness.
We will Regulate Medication to
Make Sure it is Received at the
Appropriate Time, and Correct
Amount.
Engage in Many Different Activities at FIR
•
Prepare Medication
•
Regulate Medication
•
Encouraging
•
We Are There for You
There is an Executive Director who is responsible for managing the organization and supervising the staff and residents. The staff
consists of Managers, Activity Directors and weekend staff persons. All personnel give their various talents in support of the mentally
ill. They strive to provide a firm structure, a moderately stimulating and emotionally benign environment for the ill resident while
minimizing the inevitable stress and constriction on the other ill residents. Such housing enables the resident to be productive and
active in the community and to live as normal and fulfilling a life as possible under the circumstances.
We have volunteer and paid staff ready to support you!
Confidential email: jacob_hopkins@bellsouth.net
Email: familyinitiative@bellsouth.net