Admissions

Residential Admissions

Thank you for your interest in Living Independently Forever, Inc. The decision to enroll in an independent residential community is a significant one, and the LIFE application process reflects this. Admissions decisions are made based on the “compatibility fit” between the applicant and the program.

For an overview of LIFE admissions, we invite you to watch a LIFE open house hosted by Rachelle Jones, Director of Mashpee SIL and Director of Admissions.

Admission process:

1. Please complete an online application or paper application and submit it to LIFE, Inc. with a non-refundable application fee of $450. This fee also includes the cost of a two day assessment visit on one of our sites, which will assist us all in determining the appropriate “fit” for your child.

2. Please submit the following documents:

• Recent (within 2 years) psycho-education battery that includes a cognitive evaluation, academic assessment, and projective testing.
• Current physical from family physician with a copy of current immunization records
• Reports from the most recent program attended
• Three personal and academic/employment references
• Using the attached form, these should not be completed by family members, but should include teachers, guidance counselors, staff from previous programs, etc. Please include a stamped envelope addressed to LIFE, Inc. when asking individuals to complete them on behalf of the applicant. This will assist the person filling out the Recommendation Form in returning the form to LIFE.

3. Interview and Evaluation:

When the above information is received, a two day assessment visit will be scheduled to take place at one of our communities. This will allow the applicant to participate in a typical day at LIFE, and staff will have the opportunity to determine the applicant’s response to the program and its offerings. The visit will consist of activities like money management, employment, and social interactions. The candidate will have a chance to demonstrate his/her life skills – cooking, laundry, shopping, personal hygiene, etc.

LIFE, Inc admits residents of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to residents at LIFE. It does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship, or other organization administered programs.

Profile of LIFE Residents

Residents of the LIFE community are at least 19 years of age and lead rewarding and independent lives with supports provided by the LIFE program.Residents at LIFE have:

• A history of learning disabilities
• Independence in basic living skills
• Appropriate behavior in unsupervised settings
• The ability to work or perform a volunteer job
• The desire to cultivate friendships and participate in the LIFE community
• A supportive family member

The LIFE program is not appropriate for individuals with a history of illegal behavior, or alcohol/ substance abuse issues.

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Employment and Community Based Day Supports Admissions

At LIFE, Day Supports includes Employment Services and CBDS (Community Based Day Supports), which help individuals move from volunteerism to paid employment. We do not consider CBDS the end of the journey but a step along the path towards becoming gainfully employed. These services are offered to those living within the LIFE communities and those who reside elsewhere.

During CBDS, individuals volunteer at a wide range of places based on their unique skills and interests. Along with volunteering, individuals work with our trained staff to engage in a guided Discovery process so that we can learn what works and what doesn’t for someone, their interests, preferred work environment, etc. This information, along with what we see when individuals are volunteering, and a series of one-time assessments, is utilized to individualize where someone volunteers and ultimately obtain a paid position. CBDS services are available at LIFE Hyannis, Mashpee, Sandwich, and Plymouth locations. You can learn more about these services here.

For individuals with paid employment, Employment Services provide job coaching services, for as much or as little as they need, for as long as they need.

Additionally, Employment Counseling services are available for the individual to meet with someone to discuss long-term career plans, work on travel training, and review any issues that may arise at work.

If you are interested in Employment Services and CBDS (Community Based Day Supports) services, please complete this Referral Form. An intake will be arranged after receipt of the referral. If you have any questions, please contact Joshua Skolnick, Director of Community Supports at office tel: 508-418-5673 or cell 774-383-4604, or email Josh.