Concerned, Inc. does just this striving to help individuals with disabilities become independent through working and living.
"We are a service that provides residential and vocational services for people with disabilities," Bladt said, who serves as Director of Development and Interim Executive Director.
Concerned, Inc. provides many services to Shelby County and the surrounding areas, including Pottawattamie, Harrison, Cass and Audubon Counties. The four programs making up Concerned, Inc. are: Organizational Employment Services, Community Employment Services, Adults Day Services and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Residential Services.
"We serve approximately 140 people through our programs," Bladt said, with 75 people employed at Concerned, Inc.
Organizational Employment provides individuals with a variety of jobs one can work at. Work options include: community on-site work crews, assembly and janitorial enclaves.
"We prepare people to become independent vocationally," Bladt said. "We work on skills with people to get them work in the community."
Community Employment offers individuals a chance to explore careers, do job shadowing and diversity training among other services. Individuals can find a job through the process of assessment services, placement services, job coaching/training and follow-up contacts through Community Employment. Businesses Concerned, Inc. works with include: Pizza Ranch, Fareway, Settle Inn and Hy-Vee.
"We work with people to get them prepared for work in the community," Bladt said. "We work with many businesses in the community."
Adult Day Services is a day program, Bladt said where "the focus is on socialization and community integration." This is an option for individuals physically unable to work or are retired, Bladt said. Activities include working on currents events and computer skills, going on community outings, as well as exercising and health living.
HCBS Residential Services provides support for living in the community. Services available within this include: Supported Community Living, Respite, Supported Employment, and Home and Vehicle Modifications. The HCBS Residential Services grew by approximately 15 percent in 2008 according to Concerned, Inc.'s Outcome Measurement Report for 2008.
Supported Community Living has seven residencies where a staff provides help to individuals in daily living skills. Individuals can live with two other people. The goal is to help prepare individuals to live on their own and be independent. The option of graduating from this program is available.
"The residential program has been our gateway," Bladt said.
Concerned, Inc. began in 1971 and operated for most of its existence out of a 4,400 square foot building on Willow Street, Bladt said. This building now serves as a home for Supported Community Living.
Concerned, Inc. "started as an alternative to the school," Bladt said "because the kids needed someplace to go to." Then in the 1980s mainstreaming took place where the kids returned to school. This resulted in "the adults coming out of the school who needed help," Bladt said, and the Adults Work Services was created. In the late 1990s, the Community Integration and Community Employment programs came about. Most recently, a need was recognized for Adult Day Services and made possible through available funding.
"Our programs work with one another," Bladt said. "It's not uncommon for someone to be in three programs"
Concerned, Inc. moved into a 52,000 square foot building in 2005 at 1802 Industrial Parkway. The building was purchased through public donations, grants and USDA Loans.
"It was a huge project with tons of community support," Bladt said.
Julie Theulen serves as president of the board of directors for Concerned, Inc. and has served on the board since 2003. Duties of the board include approving the budget each year and expenditures.
Bryan Swain has served on the board since 2001 and currently serves as vice president of the board.
"The board is trying to empower the clients to achieve their highest level of independence," Swain said.
Individuals serving on the board include: teachers, insurance agents and those working in banks.
"We have a wide range of different areas of expertise, which serves us well," Theulen said of board members.
This pays off when the group is looking at long-term decisions for Concerned, Inc. Plus the board is always looking for ways to improve, one example of this is Concerned's new building.
"Now we have room to grow," Theulen said.
Two other businesses rent out the north end of the building.
After moving into the new building, Concerned Inc. Enterprises re-opened Concerned, Inc. Enterprises, which includes the print shop, button making, laser engraving and screen printing.
"Once we moved out," Bladt said, "our programs exploded."
Another part of Concerned, Inc. is its Production Subcontract Services, which does assembly, repacking and secure document destruction. Contract work is brought in from outside companies, Bladt said, such as the Oriental Trading Company of Omaha, NE and Perfection Press of Logan.
All the services provided by Concerned, Inc. cost money but funding is available, Bladt said.
Bladt said if she could offer any piece of advice it would be to contact Case Management Services early for a social worker with the Department of Human Services.
"All people are viable contributors to our community," Bladt said. "Everyone should be entitled to a meaningful life."
Bladt's favorite part of her job is the people she works with and the success stories, such as people who graduate from the programs. The clients are paid twice a month, just like the staff.
"It's wonderful," Bladt said. "I love to see their faces on payday."
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Currently Concerned, Inc. is aiming to make their services more aware to parents of children.
"We serve all spectrums," said Shilo Bladt, Director of Development and Interim Executive Director, "from birth throughout people's entire lifespan."
Concerned, Inc. "occasionally serve children" but the numbers aren't high partly, Bladt said, because parents are not aware of the services available to them. Programs for children and parents include Respite and Community Supported Living.
The Respite Service is available to adults and children who live with family or their guardian at home. Respite gives caregivers short-term relief like time for shopping or an evening out. This service is provided in the individual's home. Community Supported Living offers adults or children the opportunity to learn daily living skills in their home from support staff.
"We've been really trying to market to parents of children," she said. "We'd love to serve more children."
Benefits of utilizing the services Concerned offers children include building relationships and easing the transition after high school to going to Concerned.
