GROUP HOME
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Discover loving care at Diversity in our Group Homes
Diversity Residential Homes
With over 21 years of experience, our Residential Program provides loving support in all of our group homes for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) at all levels. Including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Neurological Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Retts Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, epilepsy and/or seizure disorder, and more.
We partner with families of individuals and build support around them as their needs change. Many individuals in our homes have been with us over 10 plus years and we continue to grow and develop the supports around them as their needs change.
Each home is staffed with trained caregivers and designed to foster independence, safety, and community living.
About Diversity Group Homes
At Diversity, our housing options provide a place where your loved one with special needs will be cared for and live a full life. This means we want to partner with you throughout life as we know your loved one’s support needs and prepare for the what’s next future needs as well.
Join us for a tour of one of our beautiful homes – watch our video insert video of a group home tour.
Below are some of the frequently asked questions we get from our families during our initial visit:
Where are your group homes located?
Currently our group homes are centrally located in Chesterfield County, VA. We offer services to all the surrounding cities and counties as well as from across the state of Virginia.
How many people live in them?
Typically, 4 -5 individuals live in each home based on their support needs and interest.
Can I visit my family member whenever I want?
Yes, we welcome families to be active participants in your loved ones’ lives! We have an open-door housing policy. You can visit loved ones or they can visit you in your home. You can also attend doctor or specialist appointments.
Can my child come home on weekends and for holidays?
Yes, your loved one can go home on weekends, holidays, and on vacations with your family.
Daily Life in Our Residential Group Homes
When people are in a residential program home, they’ll be cared for by our Diversity staff. We’ll cook, we’ll clean, and we’ll invite everyone to participate and build a sense of community.
Everyone in Diversity’s Residential Housing Program has the option to participate in day programs, like insert Day Support link. Combined services are certainly in our wheelhouse!
What activities does the Group Home offer?
Our Program Manager works with our House Specialist and residents to schedule goal-based activities. This program alternative focuses on personal development, independence, and meaningful opportunities that your loved one may enjoy with peers who have similar interests.
Can they stay at home alone?
An assessment is made with their team to determine if they can stay home alone. Safety is the number one priority.
Meals & Nutrition in Group Homes
Who is responsible for cooking and cleaning in the home?
Diversity has on staff a chef that provide many of these services. The chef prepares daily dinner meals that are nutritionally balanced. The meals are flash frozen and provided weekly based on a menu. Feedback is obtained from the residents and family about their allergies, food sensitivities and likes and dislikes. The people we support are invited to participate as they want to via physically assisting to prepare the meals or providing feedback on the menu options.
Do people in the group home eat together?
Yes, if they choose to, and we encourage it as it builds an engaged sense of community.
Will you buy specific groceries and supplies for my loved one or do they have to purchase their own favorite foods?
Groceries and supplies are purchased in general for the entire group home for staple meals based on individual preferences. If someone wants a personal food item they are not planning to share, they must use their personal allowance.
Healthcare & Nursing Support in Residential Services
Will you take our loved one to all of their doctor’s appointments?
Yes, and family members are welcome to join if they so choose.
How do nursing supports work?
We are contracted with A&J Home Health, and they provide baseline assessments and 45-day assessments and guidance with all higher level medical and healthcare needs.
Community Activities for Adults with Disabilities
Will you take our loved one out into the community for activities?
Yes, they can participate in community activities such as bowling, art classes, movies, etc.
Our Trained Group Home Staff
Our Diversity staff work tirelessly to provide a clean, comfortable, person-centered housing for your loved one with special needs.
Do you have a house manager and what are they called?
Yes, group homes have a house manager. We refer to them as House Specialist (HS). Each HS is assigned to 2 homes.
What type of training is your staff given? Do you do background checks?
Each staff member must complete all Developmental Disability Education-required training and any additional training required based on the needs of the people they serve. Staff must complete background check and central registry check upon hire.
Does a home have staff overnight?
We provide overnight awake staff in all homes.
Who do I call if there’s an issue?
We recommend calling your loved one’s House Specialist (HS) first and then following up with the Program Manager (PM). If not the desired results our hands on CEO is always available and happy to meet your needs.
Residential Group Home Costs & Funding
We want to help make your loved one’s care affordable.
Learn about housing costs, financial support, and funding for our residential group home services program.
Group Home Cost FAQs
Do we have to pay anything for services?
No, but there is contribution to care.
Who becomes the representative payee for social security and benefits?
Diversity International Charities (DIC) becomes representative payee if the family does not want to serve or there is no family. Either way, the family or DIC receives an invoice monthly for the persons expenses.
Does my child have to pay rent?
Yes, it’s considered a contribution to care. The current rental rate is $720 a month.
Does each person get an allowance and how much can they spend each month?
Each person receives a personal needs allowance from their social security to purchase personal items as well as to be used for activities in the community. Diversity calls this the person’s disposable income. It is currently $100 a month and is billed to the Representative Payee monthly. The disposable income fee can be loaded onto each residents PEX card. More information about PEX cards here: https://www.pexcard.com/pex-prepaid-expense/
Group Home
Whether moving out for the first time or wanting to try a new residential environment, this program provides services in a home in which an individual lives with other individuals with developmental disabilities receiving supports from paid staff. These supports include skill building and ongoing supports with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), Independent Living, community access, physical and behavioral health, as well as general supports.
More Information
Residents are supported in developing their individual interests and to make personal choices about activities inside and outside the home environment. They are encouraged to stretch and expand outside of their social “comfort zones” to pursue activities and programs as far as their skills and abilities will allow them. Supports are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As a practice the homes only have female staff supporting the ladies and male staff supporting the gentlemen in their quest to learn new skills and transportation to and from day activities, appointments, shopping and other outings are provided.