Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research (GLC) is a program of Residential Opportunities, Inc. (ROI), a nonprofit mental health organization that has been serving Kalamazoo and beyond since 1978. Since 2012, GLC has been providing evidence-based, state-of-the-art applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for children and adolescents who have a diagnosis of autism and similar neurodevelopmental disabilities. We believe in helping the children and adolescents we serve reach their full potential in their community and beyond.
A Message to ROI/GLC employees, individuals, families, and other customers – updated 10/8/20
As part of the State of Michigan’s ongoing response to the spread of COVID 19, outside visitors to ALL of ROI’s clinical and administrative programs, including families of individuals served, continue to be restricted. This action is taken in response to the orders received on 10/6/20 by Robert Gordon, Director of Michigan Health and Human Services. Unless otherwise modified or rescinded, these orders will remain in effect until October 30, 2020.
For ROI/GLC Residential Programs: Under Executive Order 2020-6, all healthcare facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities must continue to prohibit any visitors who are not necessary for medical care, support of activities of daily living like bathing or eating, or that are not visiting under emergency circumstances. ROI program supervisors continue to work with families to maintain contact with their loved ones via telephone and/or video conferencing where possible while the Executive Order remains in effect.
For GLC Autism Outpatient Programs: On May 18th, the Lawrence Autism Center (LAC) implemented a partial re-opening with strict cleaning protocols as well as risk assessments for our staff, the children we support and their families. Services for the individual served, their families, and operations have been going very well. We are so excited to share that on July 6th both centers will be open as we resume sessions at full clinical recommendations. GLC will continue enforcing strict cleaning protocols and follow the CDC guidelines.
GLC centers will be closed on August 28th for staff training and to prepare for fall schedules.
After August 28th we will determine how schools will reopen and implement our fall plans.
Please note that all dates are subject to change based on the latest public health information.
For ROI Administrative Programs: For the safety of our staff and all of the clients we serve, ROI Administrative buildings remain closed to the general public and the conduct of in-person business is by appointment only. Individuals served by ROI’s Representative Payee program will be granted access to the building lobby on Thursdays between 1pm and 5pm for the normal distribution of Payee transactions. Affordable housing tenant issues and applicants continue to be handled through appointment only or via phone. Applications for affordable housing can be faxed to 269-343-2940. Routine ROI business will continue to be conducted by phone, email, and/or video conferencing as applicable during normal business hours.
ALL ROI programs continue to assess for COVID-19 symptoms (acute respiratory illness symptoms) and risk factors for all individuals not under our care who are seeking entry into our programs. All ROI programs must deny entry to any individual with these symptoms or risk factors. We understand this continues to be very stressful for everyone. We are making changes daily as we learn how to interpret directives from governmental entities and focus on protecting the health of everyone involved. Please continue to ask us questions. We will get answers as quickly as we can if we don’t know immediately.
In an effort to keep us all safe, throughout the organization we are practicing social distancing to the extent possible (while continuing to provide necessary personal care), wearing masks, increasing surface cleaning and keeping ourselves apprised of Federal and State orders and recommendations. We continue to be amazed and appreciative of the support from our community for ROI and those we support. Thank you.
Should you have any questions regarding COVID-19, I encourage you to visit the following websites:
CDC: CDC.gov/Coronavirus
State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
Federal information: Coronavirus.gov
Sincerely,
Scott Schrum
Chief Executive Officer
Anonymous donor supports Residential Opportunities Inc. with $20,000 donation. Click here to learn about the anonymous donation.
We thank the Michigan Senate for recognizing the critical work of Direct Support Professionals. CLICK HERE to read the resolution.
Children in behavioral treatment scored significantly higher in IQ and adaptive behavior scores than the comparison group. Further, 29% (6 of 21) children were fully included in regular education without assistance and another 52% (11 of 21) were included with support. This compares to only 5% (1 of 21) children in the control group who were placed in regular education. (Cohen, et al., 2014)
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