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Social
Services |
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The VIP Center offers social services to clients and family members.
The Center has a full-time certified social worker to provide
group counseling weekly in the Independent Living Skills program.
In addition, Individual and/or family counseling is available by
appointment to assist clients and family members understand and
cope with visual impairment issues. Confidentiality is maintained
with all counseling services.
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Independent
Living Skills Program. This program offers weekly group
counseling sessions with the social worker to assist clients learn
about services available to the handicapped and elderly; stress
assessment and stress management skills; information about the
five stages of grief and loss; family issues; self-advocacy;
psychosocial issues; communication and assertive behavior
techniques; problem solving and techniques to dispute irrational
thinking. The group members address personal feelings and engage
in educational activities in a private, confidential setting.
Participants are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings
to help them adjust to their vision loss.
Individual and/or Family
Counseling provides clients and family members an opportunity
to address stressors and concerns with the social worker in a
private setting. Effective communication skills are discussed and
support services and problem-solving skills are explored and
developed. Counseling services are funded by the Division of Blind
Services and are offered on a short-term basis. The social worker
will refer clients to community counseling agencies if long-term
therapy is indicated.
Information, Resources and
Referral Services are offered by Social Services to assist
clients apply for financial or medical assistance, housing,
employment, transportation, and social support programs.
Referrals are made for home health
aides or community outreach services upon client request.
Family Support Groups are
offered per family request and are organized and facilitated by
family members with the assistance of the social worker. They meet
in a private group setting to discuss the impact visual impairment
has had on their loved ones and their family and to gain an
understanding of the stages of vision loss.
Diabetes Education
Diabetes education will become a routine feature
of the VIP Education Program covering the impact of diabetes
as well as a number of important preventative measures that can be
taken to lessen the impact. |
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