HopeTree Family Services is a faith-based organization which was established in 1890 with a history of providing excellent services and supports to youth and to individuals who have developmental and intellectual disabilities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. HopeTree Family Services, through its continuum of supports has a basic principle belief that the individuals we support should be provided with professional resources that allow for and encourage individual choices and decisions in planning for their lives. Our Sponsored Residential Homes provide a comfortable and supporting environment where individuals can make choices in activities of daily living and are professionally supported, along with their parents/guardians and their circle of support in planning their future. The person-centered planning process considers the person’s strengths, capabilities, preferences, lifestyle and cultural background. Through the provision of these services and supports, the person is provided with an environment that allows for maximum quality of life and growth through individual choices and life desires. HopeTree Family Services’ Sponsored Homes focus on the individual and will promote quality and progress towards outcomes by addressing needs for choice, relationships, lifestyle, health, well-being, rights, and satisfaction of life.

HopeTree Family Services’ Sponsored Homes provide 24-hour residential and individuals supports for one or two adults who are intellectually and/or developmentally disabled. These individuals may be transitioning from a natural family environment or from a program that has recently closed or downsized. An admission policy has been developed which identifies the entrance criteria for admission considerations and to assist Sponsored Homes in the admission process.

HopeTree Family Services’ Sponsored Homes provide each person supported with the opportunity to learn self-advocacy, choice, healthy life habits, behavioral self-management and also develop critical life skills necessary to function as independently as possible within the immediate and community environments. Each person has an Individual Service Plan (ISP) developed by a person-centered process with the person and his circle of support. The ISP identifies a continuum of development in which projected progressive steps are outlined which focus on what is both important to and important for each person supported in the program.

HopeTree Family Services Sponsored Residential program recognizes that parents/family/guardians play a vital role in overall progress and adjustment. Communication between the home and the family is maintained on an ongoing basis, to keep the family informed, and to ensure continuity of developed supports and services. Communication and the person-centered process is a priority in providing services, especially if transitioning people supported into a new environment.

HopeTree Family Services Sponsored Residential program promotes a philosophy that is person centered.  We recognize our responsibility to assist individuals served by utilizing resources so they may live productive and fulfilling lives.  The facility believes that each individual must be welcomed, celebrated and listened to, challenged and supported in every environment in order to develop his or her talents. Each individual’s contributions must be facilitated and supported through encouragement and self-awareness.

HopeTree Family Services is proud of the programs it provides to various communities throughout Virginia. It is with the same pride individuals/families who are interested in becoming a Sponsored Family are selected to provide these supports to individuals with developmental and intellectual services. There are a plethora of requirements and steps to achieving this services and HopeTree is present to assist interested and qualified families every step of the way.

One of the initial steps is the completion of a Home Study. During the process, a HopeTree Family Services Associate Director and/or Sponsored Home Case Manager assesses the potential sponsored home. This assessment allows HopeTree Family Services to determine if the individual and/or family and the environment would best support an individual with a developmental or intellectual disability and licensure expectations and requirements may be met. Each potential Sponsored Home must provide documentation to HopeTree Family Services to ensure compliance is achieved.

HopeTree Family Services is committed to assisting its Sponsored Residential Homes with the services they will be providing. The following list is part of these services, and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive list of the supports available to each sponsored family:

• Assist the potential Sponsor through the pre-placement and application process through ongoing availability and check-ins throughout the process;
• Assist the new Sponsor with identifying, accessing and completing the orientation training and the annual training ongoing;
• We will be present and help you prepare to and move the person into your home;
• At the very least, you will hear from us/see us weekly for the first 60 days after an Individual moves in with the promise to be available whenever you need us;
• After your first 60 days, you will hear from us/see us at least monthly, again with the commitment to be available when you need assistance;
• We will be audit the service delivery and the program documentation to ensure you are comfortable in the provision of services and to provide additional supports as may be identified necessary.
• Just as we promise to be available to you, we also expect to have the same availability to you to ensure the people we are jointly responsible for are living in an environment that promotes dignity, respect, support and dreams.