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2002 Annual Report
Text Box: The complexity and uniqueness of care- giving for aging, incapacitated or developmentally disabled individuals stretches beyond the boundaries of any single specialty area. The Adult Services Program employs a multidisciplinary approach toward caregiving that connects individuals and families with the services of an integrated team of social workers, medical and mental health providers, financial planners and attorneys. Assessment, case planning and care coordination occur in a collaborative manner which seeks to more adequately support families, develop new approaches to traditional care issues, and increase awareness of the transitions experienced by family members. Using a sliding fee-for- Text Box: service approach, our staff is available to individuals and families seeking assistance in any of the following or related areas: · Comprehensive Social-Mental Health-Legal-Financial Needs Assessment · Preparation of Service Plan · Linkage to Existing Services, Consulting, Education and Service Coordination · Case Management Coordination and Advocacy · Caregiver Assistance and Outpatient Counseling Services · Fiduciary Services: Corporate Guardian and Conservator, Health Care and Financial Power of Attorney, Court Visitor, Treatment Guardian, Daily Money Management, Assistance and Advocacy with Benefits and Managed Care During the above fiscal year, the Adult Services Program served a total of 106 clients, and their various family members, in one or more of the above ways. The Adult Services Program is currently providing service to a caseload of 51 individuals (plus family members). In addition, we served in the capacity of Court Visitor for five (5) cases. Text Box: This past year the Adult Services Program was awarded a $15,000 grant by the United Way of Central New Mexico to provide Guardian/Conservator training and support to non-professionals. The staff provided a series of training sessions in the Fall of 2002 and again during the Spring of 2003. Most of the participants were relatives or friends of those in need of Guardian/Conservator services. A number of Elder Law attorneys in the Albuquerque area donated their time in assisting with this training. The program's staff continues to research and apply for additional sources of funding, the goal being to serve more clients regardless of their ability to pay for services. To date, these efforts have been unsuccessful. However, the program continues to accept and provide services for a few "pro bono" cases each year. Submitted by: Emily Stafford, MS, LPCC, RG Adult Services Director Text Box: Adult Services Text Box: of after care services for 18 children. La Familia also provided financial assistance to support a recruitment activity for adoptive families and waiting children in June 2002. The Adoption Express recruitment activity brought prospective adoptive families and children freed for adoption together to ride the train from Santa Fe to Lamy. During the 2001 - 2002 contract year, La Familia also received 30 referrals for post placement services with 29 families Text Box: La Familia, Inc. has a contract with the State of New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department to provide services for families adopting children with special needs. Through the Adopt NM Special Needs Adoption Program, families and children received the following services: trainings, home studies, pre-placement services, post-placement service, respite, post decree services, support groups and assistance in recruitment activities. Services were provided for families throughout the entire state. During the contract year September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002, La Familia received fifty -eight referrals for home studies with forty-one home studies being completed. In addition, La Familia staff also provided 41 adoptive families 156 hours of adoption related training. Other pre-placement services include 24 matching staffings, 26 full disclosures, 10 calendar staffings as well as coordination Text Box: receiving post placement services. Twelve families received post decree services and 56 days of respite were provided for eleven families and eighteen children. Six counties in New Mexico received adoption support groups (totaling 24 groups with 116 participants and 74 children received childcare services). The Adopt New Mexico program is Coordinated by Lisa Graham, LISW, the Associate Director of Adoptions for Special Needs. Lisa is assisted by Janice Amend, the Administrative Assistant for the program. Lisa provides services and coordinates the 15 Independent Contractors who provide social work services throughout the state. Lisa Graham, LISW Associate Director of Adoption for Special Needs Text Box: Special Needs Adoption & Adopt New Mexico
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