Granite Bay Connections, Inc. has established standards for the provision of individual support services, which must be followed by all staff. These standards are summarized in the following paragraphs as a means of providing guidance to staff in the performance of their day-to-day job responsibilities. The expectation is that these standards will guide staff in the delivery of services that are effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the persons being served.

1. HYGIENE
   1. All individuals are to be clean. There is no personal dignity in being unclean. Providing opportunities for community acceptance and integration becomes far more difficult when an individual chooses not to take pride in his or her personal appearance. Additionally, cleanliness is a health/safety issue. No individual's health and safety shall be compromised when receiving services.
   2. All individuals supported by GBC are encouraged to establish their own personal hygiene routines. This means that they may choose any method (i.e. shower vs. bath) to achieve the expected outcome. They may set their own schedule and change that schedule when they choose, as long as outcomes are achieved. Each individual will have an adequate supply of personal hygiene supplies.
   3. When an individual is not able to maintain personal cleanliness at an independent level the staff shall be responsible for providing the degree of support and assistance needed to achieve desired outcomes. The objective is to provide the least amount of assistance possible to achieve the desired outcomes. Instruction is to be provided on a daily basis and as an integral part of normal daily routines.
   4. Staff is expected to model appropriate behavior in word and deed.
   5. When an individual actively refuses to complete any part of his or her daily personal hygiene routine the staff person will make every effort to understand the reason for the individual's refusal and to encourage compliance with positive approaches. If within a reasonable time period (i.e. 36 hours) the individual continues to refuse to follow established routines, a written note shall be entered in the daily log and the Program Director shall be notified. The Program Director (PD) will provide direction on the next steps to be taken. If the problem occurs several times in a single month the Program Director may establish a written program to address the problem. The case manager and guardian (if appropriate) will by notified by the PD. If the behavior creates a threat to the health of the consumer or others, a special team meeting will be held and consideration given to the establishment of a formal behavior plan. All formal programs, interventions, and plans shall be documented in the individual's record.
2. PERSONAL APPEARANCE
   1. Each individual will be assisted in maintaining a personal appearance that reflects personal tastes and preferences and which will enhance the individual's integration into the community. Any personal preference that may compromise the individual's acceptance in the community (i.e. unusual hair color) will be approved by the Program Director before it is done.
   2. Clothing must be clean, neat and comfortable and appropriate to the season. Clothing must only be worn by the individual for (by) whom it was purchased unless another plan has been put forth in writing and approved by the PD.
   3. Continuous training and modeling are an integral part of each staff person's responsibilities with regard to the personal appearance of the individuals served. Personal appearance can make a critical contribution to the individual's ability to get a job, gain acceptance in a volunteer assignment, or be accepted in a church or social group. Many individuals do not understand the connection between appearance and acceptance. Staff must help them make this connection on a daily basis.
3. HOUSEHOLD
   1. Each individual must have an opportunity to actively participate in household chores, including cooking and cleaning. For some individuals the objective is to have the individual assume full responsibility for the completion of acceptable outcomes and to do so with minimal staff support. For other individuals the goal may be as simple as getting the individual to help make one part of one meal. Staff is responsible for ensuring that a clean and healthy environment is maintained at all times.
   2. The PD will perform a routine physical inspection periodically. The expectation is that all living areas will be kept in a clean and reasonably neat manner at all times. Exceptions are permitted where this is part of the individual's formal program plan.
   3. House meetings are to be held bi-weekly in shared residences. Minutes of the meeting are to be kept on site and reviewed by the PD. Questions that require an agency response shall be communicated to the PD in a timely manner.
   4. Meals must be planned and nutritious. When an individual loses or gains more than five pounds of weight in a single month the PD shall be informed. If necessary a physician or nurse will be consulted to determine if a formal dietary plan is needed or if additional medical oversight is required.
   5. The preferences of the individual shall guide the planning of meals. A cookbook that is easily understood must be available in each home. A basic inventory of food is to be kept at each home. A two-day emergency supply and a regular three-day supply shall be kept at most times. Where individuals purchase and prepare their own meals, documentation of ongoing counseling and review of meal purchasing is to be in the individual's record.
4. TRANSPORTATION
   1. Individuals must be able to visit friends and family and various community locations. GBC will transport when necessary. The vehicles of individual staff will usually be used for transportation of individuals. Mileage will be paid when properly documented and reported in a timely manner. All staff are expected to carry insurance.
   2. Weather conditions only come into consideration when the general conditions are too bad to drive. Planned trips that are canceled shall be noted in the log, including the reason for the cancellation
5. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
   1. Staff are to discuss individuals whom they support only in the context of their professional relationship. Individuals whom we support are not to be discussed in elevators, public places or in front of other individuals we support. Information of a personal nature is to be shared among GBC staff only on a “need to know” basis.
   2. Individuals whom we support are not to be placed in the position of being informed or overhearing staff dissatisfaction or opinions regarding other staff. Personal problems are not to be shared with the individuals served. These types of staff behavior may cause feelings of insecurity, anxiety, anger, or confusion. Staff are to demonstrate exemplary behavior when in the presence of individuals served.
   3. Information regarding individuals we support is to be given only to those legally entitled to receive it. The individual has the right to agree that family members or advocates participate in the sharing of information. If the individual is not his own guardian, then the guardian will make all decisions regarding the release of information.
   4. Individuals are to be treated as adults and spoken to, and about, with respect
6. TRAINING
   1. Completion of initial training within 3 months is essential. Remember this training includes: basic orientation, introduction to D.D., SRV, understanding of behavior, medication administration, CPR/first aid and Solve. This is the responsibility of the individual staff person to ensure that credentials are current. The staff person that did not complete their training required on time may affect the job performance.
   2. Although relief staff can not be compensated for participation in the initial Medication Administration, First Aid/CPR or Solve training. Compensation will be provided for successful participation in any re-certification.
   3. Regular staff will be paid for participation in all training.
   4. Participation in any additional training shall go through the Program Director for registration. Compensation for external training and conferences is possible only with the prior approval of the Program Director.
7. DOCUMENTATION / COMMUNICATION
   1. Log entries are to be made daily that document support given and well-being of individuals, living in each home.
   2. Shift change reports are to be made to alert oncoming staff to the needs of individuals. This provides timely and consistent follow through.
   3. Staff is to use standard reporting mechanisms (i.e. logs, data charts, emergency beeper) to ensure adequate communication among all persons supporting the individual.
   4. All formal plans and medication administration shall be documented on standard forms in the official record of each individual. Documentation must include a staff signature (initial) and date. Documentation shall be timely and accurate and readable. Black ink is preferred.
8. HEALTH CARE
   1. Each individual must have an annual physical and dental examination. Women should also have annual GYN examinations.
   2. All medical visits, and recommendations for follow-up are completed as directed.
   3. Each living arrangement will have: disposable gloves and a first aid kit.
   4. All non-urgent medical needs shall be noted in the log and/or reported to the PD or nurse.
   5. Urgent medical needs shall be addressed at the local Emergency Room or by calling 911. All urgent medical situations shall be reported to the PD as soon as the safety of the individual has been assured.
9. RECREATION / CULTURE / RELIGION
   1. Each person will have a full life that includes the offering of individualized recreation and community activities. The individual will be assisted in expanding his or her base of experiences so that personal choices can be made in a meaningful manner.
   2. Each individual will be supported in the practice of his or her personal religious and cultural preferences. This means that holidays shall be celebrated that are meaningful to the individual. Weekly worship services shall be attended, if requested by the individual.
10. EXCEPTIONS
    1. Whenever there is a need to deviate from the above basic standards, approval must be received from the Program Director. Approval of the exception shall be noted in the individual record.