Daily Life Supports
Housing Options
Community Supports
Case Management
Children's Services
SPINDLEWORKS STUDIOS
“Because of IA, our son lives as a fully participating member of his community.”
Adult
Services
Adult In-Home Supports
Adult In-Home Support aids in skill acquisition and skill maintenance. The goal is to help people become as independent as possible and maintain their level of independence, so they can enjoy community integrated activities.
In Home support is provided to eligible individuals in home and community-integraetd settings. The program works collaboratively with families and other supportive individuals to meet the needs of the person served.
Qualified staff assist the individual and his/her family in their home on activities of daily living, behavior management and community inclusion. Each person receives 1:1 staffing to provide sufficient attention and maintain health and safety.
Housing Options
Independence Association offers a range of housing options appropriate to different interests and needs for support under MaineCare Section 21 and 29. Residential Group Homes, Community (Independent) Living, and Shared Living settings as well as In-Home Supports help people maintain independence in their chosen communities.
We respect uniqueness
We respect each resident's uniqueness, encouraging them to attain personal goals, to utilize community resources, and to live the most fulfilling, independent lives possible.
Clients find fulfillment
The experience of full Community Membership is our goal for every client. Programming reflects each individual’s abilities, strengths and desires while meeting the guidelines of medical necessity.
Communities Embrace Us
Maine communities are welcoming and supportive of our residents and our mission. They welcome our clients when they shop, bank, go out to eat, go bowling, use local recreation centers, and more. And our community-integrated activities make IA clients valued members of their Maine communities.
Residential Group Homes
MORE THAN A PLACE TO LIVE
Independence Association provides 24/7 home support to individuals in residential group homes throughout Mid-Coast Maine. We support many individuals who are "aging in place" with our agency, enjoying their group home "family" as a decades-long home.
Community (Independent) Living
The Community Living option allows individuals to live in their own homes or apartments. Staff provide in-home and community supports as needed to enhance daily living skills, health, and safety. Social opportunities are a natural part of the program. Community integrated activities link the people we support with community members to build healthy relationships and achieve the highest level of independence.
Subsidized Apartments
We provide more intensive skill training in two subsidized apartment buildings in downtown Brunswick. For info, please call 207 504-5686 or email us at info@iaofmaine.org.
In Home Support
We provide in-home support skill training in private residences to adults with Intellectual Disabilities who live in their own homes. For info, please call 207 725 4371 or email us at info@iaofmaine.org
Shared Living
A Shared Living host opens their home to a person with an Intellectual Disability or Autism. Shared Living Providers are independent contractors who are trained to act as primary care giver to the person sharing their home.
Want to live in a Shared Living home? Want to become a Shared Living provider? Email us at info@iaofmaine.org or call 207 725-4371.
Get basics about Shared Living in Maine.
Case Management
Case managers are at the center of every social services program.
Case managers work together with clients, their families, and a wide range of community resources. They work with individuals and their families as appropriate to identify meaningful and attainable goals, then connect with services and community resources that can maximize success.
Independence Association provides case management services to adults and children, as well as youth in transition from children's to adult services.
Adult Case Management
Independence Association comprehensive case management services for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism start with Person Centered Plans based on the individual strengths, needs and desires of the individual. We coordinate necessary services, advocate, refer and monitor services through home, program and community visits . We strive to develop a system of natural supports to help people achieve and maintain independence. Where desired, we provide Representative Payee Services.
Call 207-725-4371 and ask for the Program Manager for Adult Case Management.
Children's Case Management
Children’s Case Management at Independence Association offers caring, compassionate support to children from birth to age 20 who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, autism or behavioral health needs. We serve Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. We generally work with children and families in the home for comfortable, convenient and sensitive service coordination.
Call 207-725-4371 and ask for the Program Manager of the Children’s Case Management program.
Children's Services
Our services support children aged 3-20 who have a diagnosis of developmental disability, autism, or mental health needs.
‘Child’ icon by George Patterson, from the Noun Project.
Children's Case Management
Our qualified case managers work with families in their homes for comfortable, convenient and sensitive service coordination. We offer family focused treatment planning based on strengths, needs, and preferences. We coordinate services and supports as the child's needs change over time. We help identify and connect you with resources that can meet your child's needs.
Call 207-725-4371 and ask to speak to the Program Manager of the Children’s Case Management program.
Transitional Support
Transitional Support helps youth prepare for and navigate the complex transition to life after high school. We help youth and their families think about the big questions:
What will adulthood look like?
What will I need to be successful?
Then we help you navigate services and strategies for a sound future. Transitional support can begin as early as age 14. To avoid gaps in service, seek transition services no later than the start of the last year of school. Start with us now!
Spindleworks
Nationally recognized Spindleworks is an art-based program for adults with disabilities. The original Spindleworks art center is nestled in historic downtown Brunswick. A second studio, Spindleworks Gardiner, is located on Water Street in Gardiner. These provide studio and gallery space for artists with disabilities to realize their creative dreams.
Artistic exploration, community engagement, personal growth and personal expression are fostered through workshops, visits from local artists, and an environment of constant learning. Artists are given responsibility and creative license, encouraged to make good choices and collaborate with one another. This engagement is focused on developing social and peer leadership skills, confidence and self esteem. Skill-building that supports independence in daily life is gained through participating in artistic pursuits available at both programs. Community inclusion is fostered through exhibits at public galleries, engagement in civic events, and the ordinary community-integrated activities of any person who does their work in a downtown location.
Spindleworks, established in 1978, supports over 50 member artists in Brunswick. The facility includes a three-season pottery studio, sculpture studio, weaving rooms, darkroom, painting and drawing studios, as well as areas for sewing and textile arts. Artists have access to computers, still and video cameras, and are encouraged to express themselves using the written word as well as visual means.
“Handicap — I heard about it, but I ain’t got it now.”
Independence Association serves...
...individuals with all levels of developmental disabilities from youth into senior care. Our programs receive high praise from parents, clients and state officials. We use Positive Behavior Supports to assist people in gaining and maintaining their highest level of independent living in their communities of choice.
