Our Services
Supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through person-centered Personal Supports and Respite services.
Personal Supports
Personal Supports are individualized supports delivered in the participant's home and community. They help participants increase or maintain independence, develop daily living skills, participate in community life, and work toward outcomes identified in the Person-Centered Plan.
Optima's Personal Supports may include:
- In-home skills development
- Budgeting and money management support
- Cooking and meal preparation support
- Cleaning and household routines
- Laundry support
- Personal care assistance when connected to allowable Personal Supports activities
- Community integration
- Grocery shopping
- Public transportation training
- Support attending social, recreational, volunteer, or spiritual activities
- Health management assistance
- Transportation incidental to Personal Supports
- Delegated nursing tasks when authorized and properly delegated
Personal Supports are based on the participant's assessed needs, preferences, goals, and approved Person-Centered Plan.
Respite Care Services
Respite Care Services provide short-term support to give families and primary caregivers a break from daily caregiving responsibilities while ensuring the participant receives safe, respectful, and individualized care.
Optima's Respite services may include:
- Temporary caregiver relief
- Support with daily routines
- Personal care support
- Safety supervision
- Community engagement
- Recreational and social activities
- Skill maintenance
- Support based on participant preferences and needs
Service limit: Respite Care Services, whether provided in 15-minute or daily units, may not exceed 720 hours within each Person-Centered Plan year.
Transportation Support Incidental to Personal Supports
Transportation may be provided when it is necessary for the participant to access approved Personal Supports activities. Transportation is not offered as a separate standalone service unless otherwise authorized. When provided as part of Personal Supports, it is connected to the participant's goals, community involvement, and approved service plan.
Transportation support may include:
- Travel to approved community activities
- Support accessing grocery stores, recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, or social events
- Public transportation training
- Support learning safe community mobility skills
- Transportation connected to Personal Supports goals
Direct Support Staff who provide transportation must be qualified to do so, including maintaining a valid driver's license, required automobile insurance, and safe driving practices.
Delegated Nursing Tasks Incidental to Personal Supports
Some participants may have health-related needs that require delegated nursing tasks as part of their Personal Supports. These tasks are provided only when properly assessed, authorized, delegated, trained, supervised, and documented.
Optima's approach includes:
- RN Case Manager / Delegating Nurse oversight
- Participant-specific health review
- Nursing Care Plan or protocols when required
- Staff training before service delivery
- Delegation only to qualified staff
- Medication Technician certification when required
- Ongoing RN monitoring and follow-up
Direct Support Staff do not independently provide nursing care. Delegated nursing tasks must follow applicable DDA and Maryland Board of Nursing requirements.
Need Personal Supports or Respite Services?
Optima Family Services welcomes referrals from Coordinators of Community Services, Support Coordinators, Social Workers, Case Managers, Hospital Discharge Planners, families, and guardians.