Do you have questions about how to start the application process and apply for residential services at GoodLife?
Before transitioning to GoodLife’s residential services, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities complete a comprehensive admissions process. In this guide, we’ll explain the steps you need to take to get started today.
How to start the application process and apply for services at GoodLife
The first thing families need to do is figure out the financial part of services. Once that’s sorted, it’s time to apply for residential services.
To begin the process of admissions, prospective residents need to fill out our contact form to get in touch with us. After completing the contact form, a member of our caring team will contact you to talk about your loved one’s needs and GoodLife’s services. Next, we have you fill out the full admissions application and return it to us.
Once the application is submitted with supporting documentation, we review your file. The next steps include a medical review, attending informal assessment meetings between both our teams and the applicant’s team, and a full review of fee agreements. This process allows us to get to know the individual and match them to the best services available.
Roommate matching and transitioning to services
After completing the steps above, we discuss the best setting for residential services and begin looking for a roommate. Once we have a specific opening matching the individual’s needs, the applicant visits the residence multiple times.
Finding the right roommate is an important part of our admissions process and usually takes the longest amount of time. Everyone needs to feel comfortable with the living arrangements and have an opportunity to get to know each other. We want to make sure that everyone is on board with the final decision and feels confident that it’s a good fit.
If after several visits everyone agrees to the placement, we have a transition meeting. This involves bringing in the targeted case manager, the guardian(s), and the managed care organization if there is one. During the meeting, we will talk about when and how to transition the individual into services.
Final thoughts
It’s important to remember that the application process takes time. Before an individual with intellectual or developmental disabilities comes into residential services, all application pieces must be in place.
This includes:
- Completed application with supporting documentation
- Informal assessments between GoodLife’s behavior analysts, residential team, and the applicant’s team including a medical evaluation
- Review and discussion of fee agreements
- Multiple residential visits
- Transition meetings
Our free printable “Residential Application Checklist” outlines all the steps in the process. You can get your free copy here.
GoodLife’s goal is to provide the best possible services for each resident. Our comprehensive admissions process, though lengthy, helps ensure that your loved one is safe, happy, and has the best possible quality of life while living in their home.
What if I have more questions?
Our team is here to help guide you through the application process and offer support along the way. We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision about residential services at GoodLife. If you have additional questions or would like more information, please contact Nichole Reiske, GoodLife’s Director of Admissions, at nicholereiske@mygoodlife.org, 913-980-8135. You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get each of our blog posts delivered right to your inbox.
