Independent Living Services enhances personal lives for developmentally disabled
United Way
Independent Living Services has been a part of the Conway community since 1970. Our mission is to help people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible within the community.
At the time ILS was created, people with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, and related conditions had very limited options: live with family or in an institution. Through the years, communities like ours have realized that we all benefit from having good neighbors, and that people with disabilities are no exception.
From a group home for eight men opened 30 years ago, ILS has grown to serve the wide needs of over 100 people today. Each person has a unique plan of care, and each person has services tailor-made to fit his needs.
Residential programs include an intermediate care facility with round-the-clock medical staffing, three group homes, and an apartment complex. ILS also provides support to people living in their own apartments or homes in the community. Whether an individual needs help with personal care, or just with money management, ILS offers the support necessary to foster independence.
ILS's newest service is Profiles, an adult development center where participants can experience a wide variety of subjects from sign language to computer skills. Classroom and one-on-one instruction in relationships, cooking, exercise and many other subjects allow Profilers to learn and grow.
The program has a heavy emphasis on skills that help people succeed in the community, so trips to the library, sports center, and other local resources are important learning opportunities.
Christine Miller and Amanda Willson, a senior at Hendrix College, display a collage that Christine created. Volunteers like Amanda are special friends to participants in ILS' adult development program.
Another new option offered by ILS is the Home and Community Based Waiver program, which is funded by the state Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. "The Waiver" is a flexible funding source that allows individuals to choose services which best fit their needs. For example, ILS is currently providing services to a young man living with his mother, four women who share a ranch-style home in Conway, and a middle-aged gentleman living in an apartment. Services vary according to each person's plan of care, but may include help in preparing meals and doing laundry, personal grooming, or recreation and exercise.
The people ILS serves have been active in the Conway community for years, and we appreciate the support that this community has provided. Many of our Conway neighbors are active as volunteers. If you would like to help others toward independence, whether by serving on our board of directors or by sharing a skill with a willing learner, please contact us through our website at www.indliving.org or at 327-5234.
ILS and Creative Living Board members
Mickey Prince
Artie Jones
Nina Smith
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves smile proudly after the Fourth of July Bed Race downtown. The team from Profiles Adult Development Center won the award for best design.
Patty Montgomery
Stacy Crozier
Allen Lipsmeyer
Ancil Lea
Bill and Carol Barnhouse
Elizabeth Thomas
Willis Watkins
Nancy Williams
Kristen Norris
Sharon Mohammed
Angela Maxfield
Ed Smith
Wayne Clark
Sue Alread
Nelton Patterson
Patsy Cormier
Cathy Acre
Charles Nabholz
Laura Grimes
Douglas Hoffman
Jasper Olsen
Independent Living Services Inc. Mission Statement
ILS will strive:
Barbara Spradlin, Debbie Bradley, Susan Gordon, Jamie Robinson, Sara Escue and Deanna Dallas share in a housewarming party for ILS' new waiver home. The waiver program has allowed Debbie, Susan, Jamie and Deanna to live with a great degree of independence, with only a few hours of staff support each day.
To provide services in an atmosphere of dignity and respect as people work toward reaching their life goals while living in the community.
To provide a safe, healthy, caring home environment where people can live a good quality of life.
To provide training and assistance that will enable the person to perform well within the community.
To assist in establishing a network of friends and family connections that will assist the individual through the adventures of daily living.