posted
on Thursday, November 14, 2024
Home can feel different for everyone, but for many, it’s a place of comfort, safety, and belonging. It’s where someone is allowed to be their true selves without judgment and where familiar routines bring a sense of stability and peace.
To someone who spent their life bouncing around in foster care, home can feel like a foreign concept. Once an individual within the system turns eighteen, a new chapter of life begins - taking them on a journey to find a self-made home.
After foster care, eighteen-year-old Mark was placed within a highly staffed, locked-down, out-of-state facility. While living here, he felt lost - often seeking a sense of freedom and belonging to a community.
When reaching out to EPI, Mark and his guardian were looking for the support and stability he needed to live independently. Due to a history of running away, it was suggested by his current service provider to have Mark placed within an in-person, multi-staffed, around the clock home. The team had a hard time finding this type of placement.
When EPI met Mark, a few of our team members saw his potential and advocated for a new approach. Our tech enabled services provided a solution, allowing EPI to serve Mark in a home in the community. Through this innovative approach, Mark receives a mix of in-person and virtual support from our local, dedicated team just the push of a button away, giving him the independence he craved while knowing support is just a call away.
Since moving into his new home, Mark’s outlook has transformed. While he once felt the urge to run, he now feels a sense of belonging. Mark shared, “I’ll never run from here; this feels like my home.”
Instead of feeling restricted, he’s discovering the freedom and safety he’s always wanted.
Mark’s story is a testament to how technology can empower individuals to find stability and confidence in their new surroundings. Virtual support has not only given him independence but also a true sense of belonging. As he continues to settle in, Mark looks forward to building his future on a foundation of trust, support, and newfound peace.
At EPI, we’re grateful for the opportunity to support Mark and others on their journey to finding home and the power of community. We believe tailoring our services to each individual, increases independence as well as our capacity to serve.
Interested in how the tech enabled services work? Keep reading for more…
This is a cutting-edge platform of smart home technologies links homes to EPI's virtual connection center (VCC) staff. These local staff are highly trained direct support professionals - who know each individual personally, knowing exactly when to act if alerted or what to do when deployed.
For example, you'll find a series of sensors throughout a tech enabled home. These sensors alert staff if a stove burner was left on or a door left open. Once the sensor goes off, VCC staff push a button to virtually knock - if they are given permission they will first "enter" the home via a video call within the control center. If no one answers, a local staff is deployed to ensure the safety of those residing there.
The control center within the home, depending on person needs, can be equipped with a mix of sensors, push button speaker and camera with privacy settings. VCC staff are on standby able to help and answer any questions that arise. Let's say Mark is experiencing a headache and needs medication… he would first push the button which would begin flashing green. This button immediately connects him to the VCC staff. Mark could then share his concerns and symptoms and the staff would be deployed when necessary.
The opportunities are endless and we invite you to continue along this journey with us by following us on social media and subscribing to our electronic newsletter.