Our Programs & Services

Wholistic Services (WHS) was begun over fifteen years ago by a management team that already had many years of experience with multiple disabilities and with community integration process. Since its inception, Wholistic has been providing a range of services in the District of Columbia to persons diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities. We have specialized in providing quality, person-centered services and supports to adults with moderate to profound levels of intellectual impairment who also experience significant sensory, physical, behavioral and/or medical challenges.

Currently Wholistic provides residential services and a Day Program for this population.

Key features of Wholistic's organizational experience and history include the following:

• A Knowledgeable, Stable, Hands-On Management Team: The management staff of Wholistic is a dedicated group of professionals who have many years of direct hands-on experience in providing clinical and life skill supports. Upper management can be found regularly in the programs, and a strong system of internal oversight is in place and evident. House managers, nurses and QMRP staff are held accountable for their performance and leadership in providing safe and effective community services.
• Staff Experience and Stability: Our programs experience low staff turnover. At the direct support level the average staff has been with Wholistic for over two years. The QMRP/House managers average five years at Wholistic, and the senior management average ten years. New staff members are almost exclusively recruited through word of mouth based on known reputation. This organizational experience and stability extends to our clinical teams as well, and it ensures that the high quality of services and supports provided to Wholistic consumers is consistent and reliable.
• History of Responsible Expansion: Wholistic has expanded gradually over the past 15 years, ensuring that senior level Wholistic staff has always been available to support the development of new services and settings. We have considerable experience in transitioning individuals who require intensive or pervasive supports and who may be very sensitive and vulnerable to change.
• Reputation for Quality Services and Supports: Wholistic has a long record in the District of providing reliable, competent and caring service to the individuals we serve. We provide effective transitioning, service planning, coordination of care, community integration and program implementation for many individuals who face complex challenges. Wholistic has a history of maintaining high levels of compliance with federal and local regulations and policies, as well as a reputation of responsiveness to oversight agencies when concerns are identified.
• Experience with Vulnerable Individuals: Since the organization began, Wholistic has served consumers with intense medical, behavioral and physical needs. Two of the nine homes currently run by Wholistic (Bunker Hill and Perry Street) serve medically fragile individuals and provide skilled levels of nursing on a 24 hour basis. The oversight history for those Wholistic programs confirms that the high quality services and supports provided are reliable and consistent.
• Protection of Safety, Health and Human Rights: In over 15 years of providing services to the District's most vulnerable adult citizens, Wholistic has not had a single founded allegation of neglect or abuse. Strong management oversight and dedicated, seasoned staff ensure that WHS reports and thoroughly investigates all incidents and alerts, and problem situations are remedied in a timely manner.

In order to supplement existing internal resources and to ensure a smooth and appropriate transition for each individual, Wholistic will initiate a contract with an outside interdisciplinary team (supplemental transition team) to provide assistance and additional supportive oversight to Wholistic staff during the transition period (first 4-6 months). for a summary of the site/consumer specific plans. Below is a brief description of the transition phases and process components:

• Conduct record reviews for each individual, and review all assessments and clinical recommendations, health and safety issues, interventions/care plans, schedules, recent monitoring reports, alerts, and plans of correction.
• Assess implementation status of plans of correction through review, interview, observation, and formal assessment.
• Review the potential utility of environmental modifications and/or assistive technology.
• Meet with consumers, guardians, families, advocates, lawyers, providers, case managers and other available support team members to clarify the immediate and long term needs and preferences of the consumers.
• Begin selection of staff, management and clinicians who will provide direct support and services during the transition.

• Develop individual transition plans that include staff development and training needs, medical assessment or consultation needs, ongoing support needs, and services or supports that may yet need to be developed or scheduled.
• Review and revise (if needed) any safety related protocols such as Behavior Support plans, Health Care plans, 1:1 protocols, feeding protocols, positioning protocols, etc.
• Set up a schedule for oversight and support activities of management, clinicians and the supplemental transition team.
• Conduct both general and consumer-specific staff development/training activities. Where programmatic or environmental changes have been targeted, determine how and when changes will be effected.

• Initiate Transition plans for each consumer, including ongoing assessment of each consumer's response and status.
• Supplemental transition team works closely with management, clinicians and direct support staff to provide internal oversight and feedback to staff and management on all shifts.
• The transition team provides formal observation and reporting on implementation of all health and safety related protocols, programs and interventions. Further training and support is provided to staff as needed to achieve full implementation.
• Within thirty days case conferences are held on each consumer to review progress and to determine what additions or modifications may need to be made to that consumer's Individual Support Plan (ISP).

• Within 30 days of transition being initiated, ISPs will be amended to include all changes in programs, services and supports that will be made.
• Staff working with each individual will be trained on his/her ISP, programs, protocols, etc.
• Transition team will assist QMRP and House Manager in meeting with day placement provider and in ensuring that all needed information is exchanged and there is effective coordination and continuity of care.

• Ensure that staff working with each individual are trained to the point of competence on ISP's and can demonstrate implementation of all health and safety related care plans and protocols, and
• Supplemental transition team serves as an outside oversight unit to augment internal oversight processes during the transition phase and to ensure that both staff and consumers are adequately supported in all key areas of functioning.

• Transitional team collaborates with management and clinicians to begin transfer all internal oversight and staff development/support responsibilities.
• Supplemental transitional team is faded.

In order to ensure stability in the face of cash flow problems, Wholistic maintains a substantial line of credit with the Harbor Bank in Baltimore. We are of the belief that our fiscal stability is sufficient to prevent day to day costs from impacting negatively on our programs.