Alvis House MR/DD Services

Alvis House is a nonprofit agency and licensed provider that operates a 15-bed ICF/MR, Supported Living, and Day Habilitation Programs. Alvis House has a national reputation for providing innovative, research-based programs and services that improve the lives of our clients and enhance the safety of the communities in which we operate.

Alvis House recognizes that individuals with Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities who have offending behaviors require specialized treatment for rehabilitation. The Mission of Alvis House is to reduce the repetition of criminal behavior in our community by working within the criminal justice system to provide services and programs which offer alternatives to incarceration and facilitate the reintegration of the offender into the community.

Our MR/DD Services Division is equipped with highly skilled, trained professionals and staff that are experienced in working with behaviorally challenged individuals and the MR/DD offender. Our staff undergo an extensive training program which emphasizes clients rights and responsibilities while promoting individualized programming and active treatment services. Alvis House works closely with numerous support agencies and supervising authorities to help our consumers transition successfully. Some program highlights include: structured recreation, community service, literacy, cognitive management, money management, anger management, social skills training, vocational training and counseling.

The Alvis House MR/DD Services Division operates Wittwer Hall, an an ICF/MR specialized unit for 15 adult, MR/DD males with offender issues. Established in 1981, the Wittwer Hall program was the first of its kind in the United States. MR/DD Services also include I.O. and Supported Living Services, certified since 2005, designed to meet the individual needs of consumers who are behaviorally challenged, and Day Habilitation.

•    Referrals to our programs are considered according to the following general criteria:

•    MR/DD diagnosis

•    ICF/MR Level of Care eligibility and/or I/O Waiver eligibility

•    Offender and/or behavioral issues

•    Active treatment needs

•    18 years of age or older

The Wittwer Hall Residential Treatment Program

Wittwer Hall is open to adult males diagnosed as MR/DD, who have offender issues and active treatment needs. Programs and services offered at Wittwer Hall include: individualized intensive treatment with an emphasis on accountability and responsibility. Each resident receives active treatment and is regularly evaluated by a Treatment Team of medical, clinical and administrative professionals.

Wittwer Hall is designed to meet the individual needs of each program participant. Upon admission and throughout the program, residents participate in comprehensive assessments to determine individual habilitative strengths and needs.

Programs and services available may include, but are not limited to:

•    Active treatment for activities of Daily Living (ADLs);

•    Anger management;

•    Case management;

•    Cognitive management (EQUIP);

•    Community services and employment;

•    Comprehensive behavior management;

•    Health care coordination;

•    Human sexuality education;

•    Individual and group counseling;

•    Life skills classes and programs;

•    Link to psychiatric services;

•    medical monitoring;

•    Literacy tutoring;

•    Money management & budgeting;

•    Pre-vocational & vocational training;

•    Substance abuse counseling; and

•    Structured recreation.

Supported Living and Day Habilitation Programs

Supported Living offers 24-hour staffing in homes where residents live with three other individuals to help share living expenses and to develop peer relationships. Alvis House provides support and care to reduce problems and to increase independent living. Crisis counseling, medical monitoring, social skills and ADL skills training is also offered. At Alvis House, we believe that person-centered planning is crucial to developing an individual’s autonomy and independence.

We provide a Day Habilitation program that promotes skill development and training for consumers to improve their quality of life. Day Habilitation is designed to increase involvement and independence while encouraging consumer choice in a variety of leisure, recreational, educational and social activities.

We believe that a supportive environment is the key to achieving balance between individual expression and therapeutic needs. Day Habilitation offers memorable and socially appropriate experiences. Our activities foster foster a sense of self worth and inclusion.