Case Study: Best Practices in Adult
Family Living / Adult Foster Care
BETH BOYLE,
DIRECTOR OF SERVICE COORDINATION,
LICKING COUNTY BOARD OF DD
AND
CHRISTINE M. KRISTANICH,
BRANCH MANAGER
CAREGIVER HOMES
Focus of Structured Family
Living Options:
 SHARE HOME WITH SUPPORT OF
LIVE-IN PRIMARY CAREGIVER
 PART OF / CONTRIBUTOR TO
COMMUNITY
 PROVIDES ADDITIONAL
CHOICE/OPTION FOR INDIVIDUAL
“Melissa”
What we were told about “Melissa”
 45 years old
 Incarcerated for past 16 yrs.
 Grew up in Licking county
 History of aggressive behavior
 Intermittent Explosive Disorder
 Bi-Polar, Impulse Control Disorder, Schizoaffective
Disorder
 …..etc.
“Melissa”
 Team decided (with Psychologist’s input) “Melissa”
would have the most success by not living in Licking
County, in a half-way house, or another institution
type setting
 SC, Brenda Colley & myself visited “Melissa” at the
Ohio Reformatory for Women
Talked with “Melissa” to identify what was important to and
important for her.
 Where did “Melissa” want to live?
 What was “Melissa’s” ideal living situation?

What we learned about “Melissa”
It was important to & for her to…
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Belong to a family that understood her
Have friends that were nice to her
Feel & be safe
Have a job
Go to yard sales
Belong to a craft club
Go to a buffet to eat (the day she was released)
Take her medications regularly
Be able to ride a bike
Have her own space
The Process
 LCBDD SC & Director decided to meet with
Caregiver Homes to discuss what “Melissa” is
looking for
 Team met with “Melissa” at the ORW to talk about
the process & discuss what “Melissa” wanted
 Inquiries were sent out & 3 families responded to the
inquiry
 “Melissa” interviewed each family & ultimately made
the decision of who she wanted to live with
Case Study: Basic Information
NEEDS:
 SAFE ENVIRONMENT
 24 HOUR SUPPORTS
 EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER
 CONSISTENT APPROACH
 ROUTINE TEAM COMMUNICATION
Considerations for Success
Strong and Collaborative Team
Realistic and Honest Approach
Flexibility and Adaptability
To date….
 “Melissa” is very successful where she is living now
 Team works very hard to understand her wants &
needs
 “Melissa” is very thoughtful and still writes letters,
sends cards, and pictures to LCBDD SC & Director
Caregiver Homes’ Approach
 Constant Support of Care Team
Technology-based Documentation
Ongoing Risks Assessments
“In –time” Monthly Home Visit
Beth Boyle, Director of Service Coordination,
Licking County Board of DD
beth.boyle@lcountydd.org
Christine Kristanich, Branch Manager
Caregiver Homes
ckristanich@caregiverhomes.com