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| Frequently Asked Questions:
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| Is it true that In the Company of Friends has changed its name to LIFE?
No, In the Company of Friends (ICOF) and LIFE are not the same.
ICOF is a funding model offered through the Supported Living Division of the Department of Family Services and Consumer Affairs. Individuals receive money directly from the Department, make their own decisions, hire their own staff and work towards living each day the way THEY want to.
LIFE is a non-profit organization that provides resources, supports AND ensures that each individual receiving ICOF funding has a strong and healthy Support Network to support them.
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| What is an ICOF Support Network?
An ICOF Support Network is a group of people who have a relationship with the person receiving ICOF funding. They may be family members or friends who intentionally come together to celebrate the person's gifts and talents, enjoy a reciprocal relationship, and when needed, assist the individual to self-direct and manage day to day living tasks – in the company of friends!
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| Why doesn’t LIFE Resource Staff just hire the staff for individuals receiving ICOF funding?
The philosophy of the ICOF model is that each individual self-directs and self-manages his/her own life, which includes hiring his/her own staff. The Support Network is in place to assist in this and other processes if needed. LIFE Resource Staff are available to provide assistance if needed but do not have the authority or responsibility to do the actual hiring for them. It’s why we often call individuals receiving ICOF funding – ICOF employers!
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| Who hires LIFE staff?
The Board of Directors of LIFE hires an Executive Director. She hires and supervises the Resource Coordinators Resource Staff and Office Staff.
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| Why aren’t LIFE Resource Staff supervising the ICOF employers staff?
Each individual receiving ICOF funding supervises his/her own staff with help from the Support Network. LIFE’s role is to provide resources and guidance to the Support Network and the individual so that they are equipped and empowered to do this for themselves.
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| What does LIFE do if an individual receiving ICOF funding is making bad decisions?
Everyone makes mistakes. LIFE has no power to take away an individual's right to make his/her own decisions. The philosophy of the ICOF model is based on ‘supported decision making’. Supported decision making is a term that is well defined in the Vulnerable Persons’ Living With a Mental Disability Act. It means that the Support Network and even the LIFE Resource Staff may provide guidance and information to the individual, but it is ultimately their right to make the decision.
It is LIFE’s responsibility to ensure that the individual receiving ICOF funding is making the decision or minimally participating in the decision making process. Many individuals have not had the opportunity to make their own life decisions before and it is a learning curve. LIFE is responsible for ensuring that each individual has a Support Network in place to assist in that process.
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