Behavioral services provided by a team consisting of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Behavior Technician/Aide. A treatment plan is developed to focus on reducing challenging behaviors and teaching skills in the areas of communication, play, socialization and daily living skills.

While ABA is most commonly associated with autism, it can also benefit individuals with other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who need support with communication, social skills, behavior management, or daily living skills.

Community Living Supports (CLS) are services provided by Riverwood Center specially trained staff that help individuals living with an intellectual and/or developmental disability live independently and participate actively in their community. The activities are based on the individual’s goals, choices and priorities as identified through an individual plan of service and may be provided in home or in their community.

An individual may get the following supports:

• Cooking meals
• Doing laundry
• Regular and deep cleaning of the home
• Help with daily tasks like bathing, eating, dressing, and personal care
• Shopping for groceries and other daily needs
• Getting involved in social and community activities
• Managing money
• Providing non-medical support
• Building and maintaining relationships
• Providing transportation to and from activities and home
• Joining in community events and recreational activities
• Going to medical appointments
• Getting necessary items and non-medical services
• Reminding and checking on medication use

Unscheduled individual or group services aimed at reducing or eliminating the impact of unexpected events on mental health and well-being. Emergency mental health prescreens may be accessed at either Riverwood Center location during business hours or Lakeland Emergency Departments anytime.

Environmental Modifications are physical changes to a person's home, car, or work environment that are of direct medical or remedial benefit to the person. Modifications ensure access, protect health and safety, or enable greater independence for a person with physical disabilities. Note that other sources of funding must be explored first, before using Medicaid funds for environmental modifications.

Our Outpatient Therapy team is here to support individuals facing challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, and co-occurring disorders. We take a person-centered approach, creating personalized goals and strategies that reflect each individual’s unique needs and strengths. Services are offered in both individual and group settings, providing a safe, supportive space for healing and growth.

Occupational Therapy includes the evaluation by an occupational therapist of an individual's ability to do things in order to take care of themselves every day, and treatments to help increase these abilities.

At Riverwood Center, our psychiatric care includes evaluations, treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring of psychiatric services and medications for individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability. Care is provided by psychiatric doctors and nurse practitioners who work closely with the individual and their family member(s) to manage symptoms and support health and wellness. These services are coordinated with other Riverwood Center and local community programs to ensure complete, well-rounded care.

At Riverwood Center, we offer different types of residential support to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities—ranging from staff visits to help you live in your own home to full-time care in a structured group home setting where you can feel safe, respected, and supported. The level of support you receive is based on your individual needs. Our Supports Coordinators will work with you and your family member(s) to explore options and make sure you can live as independently as possible in the least restrictive, most comfortable setting for you.

Whether short-term or long-term, support can include:

• Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)
• Medication support and health monitoring
• Meal preparation and household tasks
• Social and recreational activities
• Building life skills for greater independence
• Transportation to appointments and events
• Emotional and behavioral support

Each person's care is based on their personalized support plan and reflects their goals, choices, and preferences.

Respite care with Riverwood Center offers short-term support so individuals can remain in their own homes while giving family members or primary caregivers a much-needed break. This service helps reduce stress, prevent burnout, and support a healthy, balanced home environment.

At Riverwood Center, we believe that self-determination is a vital part of your health and well-being. Our self-determination services are designed to give you greater choice, control, and flexibility in your care. This means you can play an active role in creating your own person-centered plan, selecting the services and supports that best fit your needs and goals. We’re here to empower you to make decisions about your treatment, manage your own services and budget (when eligible), and build the skills and confidence you need to live life on your own terms. With Riverwood Center’s support, self-determination puts you at the center of your care—every step of the way.

Under Self-Determination, you can hire your own workers and manage your services within a set budget.

• You have choice and control over your services.
• Your Case Manager/Supports Coordinator supports you to manage the services you choose.
• You are the employer of record with a Fiscal Intermediary (someone who pays your worker(s) for services).
• You directly hire, fire and supervise your workers.
• You set your workers' schedule.
• You decide what to pay your workers (within Riverwood Center's rate).

How does Self-Determination work?

• You make choices about your goals when creating your Person-Centered Plan.
• You determine who you want to help you reach your goals.
• Your family and friends can help you with decisions to make sure that your health and safety needs are met.
• After you have a plan, we will develop a budget based on those services.
• You manage your individual budget (with help from your Case Manager/Supports Coordinator and Fiscal Intermediary).

How do you begin Self-Determination?

It starts with your Person-Centered Plan. At your next Person-Centered Plan meeting, tell your Riverwood Center Case Manager or Supports Coordinator that you are interested in Self-Determination. You can also contact our Self-Determination Coordinator at 269-934-1655.

Important to know:

Medicaid rules still apply under Self-Determination. That means:

• Services must be medically necessary:
  • The kind, amount and length of service must be supported by your condition.
  • Your condition would worsen without the services.
  • All other natural and community supports must be used before Medicaid will pay for a service.
  • Services must be supported by documentation.
• The services provided must match what is in your Person-Centered Plan.
• The staff you choose to hire must meet the minimum Medicaid requirements:
  • At least 18 years old
  • Able to prevent transmission of any communicable disease from self to others
  • Able to communicate clearly with you and Riverwood Center staff
  • Able to report on activities performed
  • In good standing with the law according to the MDCH/PIHP contract
  • Complete required trainings, which may vary based on the type of services being provided

A Supports Coordinator can help you determine what is important for you and what services you may be eligible for. The Supports Coordinator facilitates a support circle including family, friends and clinicians to develop a Person-Centered Plan. Other responsibilities of a Supports Coordinator includes: linking with service providers, coordinating, advocating and monitoring services.