Prader-Willi Syndrome Residential Programs

Each house is staffed with direct support professionals who use the Mandt System to engage with residents one-on-one. A DHHS-approved curriculum is used to assist residents with:

• Personal care services
• Community living support
• Medication administration
• Medical training and support

Interpretation services are provided by certified personnel on a contract basis.

The homes provide a structured environment that encourages participation in healthy activities and to mitigate anxiety. Exercise is promoted in a number of different ways. Residents are encouraged to use the home exercise equipment, join us at the YMCA, and participate in Special Olympics.

Social activities encouraged in a variety of ways. Residents regularly go to local restaurants with staff. The restaurant menu is reviewed prior to the trip in order to plan what will be ordered and reduce stress at the restaurant. Each year staff accompany the residents to a camp designed for people with PWS. At camp, the residents have the opportunity to experience fishing, boating, dancing, and a number of other activities within a larger peer group. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in weekly equestrian therapy. Sessions are designed to increase the rider’s ability to listen, learn, and communicate.

The homes work with a team of outpatient providers to coordinate care based on individual treatment needs identified in the person-centered planning process. These include:

• Registered dietician for nutritional counseling
• Direct supports professionals using DHHS-approved curriculum for work skills solutions
• Case management-trained supports coordinator for treatment planning and targeted case management
• Social worker (LMSW) for individual therapy
• Behavior specialist (LMSW, LLP, LPC) for behavioral treatment planning
• Registered nurse for nursing assessment
• Board-certified psychiatrist for psychiatric evaluation and medication review

Referrals are typically received from community health organizations or behavioral health providers. Services are authorized in accordance with benefits outlined in the Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual.

Admission criteria:

• Intellectual/developmental disability
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Mental health condition*
• Physical health conditions*

*Optional co-morbidities

Exclusionary criteria:

• Requires continuous nursing care
• Significant danger to self or others
• Incompatible with program milieu, current residents
• Requires use of isolation or restraint

Discharge criteria:

• Client/guardian chooses to discharge
• Client does not meet medical necessity criteria for this support/service/treatment
• Appropriate alternative services are available which meet medical necessity criteria