Support Service Offers Assistance to Disabled Locals
May 18, 2022
Ezra DeVore
Community Support Services offers help for disabled individuals and their families.
In local communities, options may exist for special needs individuals who need help, but many are unsure of where to go, whom to ask, or even that they could get help.
Shauna Oltjenbruns, of Cassville, has been working with Community Support Services of Missouri for 11 years to diminish this unawareness, and coordinate local disabled individuals with the services that suit their specific needs.
“Most people don’t know they need help,” Oltjenbruns says.
According to her, many disabled people, or their caretakers, grow accustomed to their responsibilities, regardless of how daunting they become over the years.
“A lot of what we see in this area, which is not a bad thing, is families taking care of families; but, as family members age, they’re so used to taking care of their family member that they’re ashamed to ask for help. We see a lot of grandparents taking care of autistic children, and we see a lot of 70+ year old parents taking care of their aging children.”
The spectrum of assistance offered is broad as the spectrum of special needs themselves, though according to Oltjenbruns, transportation is the largest need for most.
“When OATS started providing services for our individuals, it was a huge benefit - life changing for a lot of people, going from essentially home-bound to being as independent as they want to be.
"People can participate in their community, go to rehab, independently.” According to Oltjenbruns, however, OATS offers more assistance than those necessities alone. “People need transportation for basic survival needs,” she said, “a lot of individuals who need a little help don’t drive, so if their help doesn’t show up, or if mom gets sick, they’re home bound.”
Anyone with an intellectual or physical disability (down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, etcetera) can qualify for assistance. “There are many qualifying mental diagnoses,” Oltjenbruns says. Community Support Service Case Management coordinates services for those who qualify, primarily for those who have a developmental disability prior to 21, though CSS Case Managers provide services to individuals of all ages.
Services can range from personal assistance, residential services, and transportation to referrals for music, art, and dance therapy, and beyond, “even some dental services,” says Oltjenbruns. According to her, the full list of services is virtually unending, and can match anyone to their individual assistance requirements and limitations. Budgetary restrictions are something that Community Support Services works with
The services strike specificities that aren’t immediately seen as vital, but in the long-run, may facilitate life-long assistance. “Champion Athletes is a program headed by Susan Miles that supports social skills through sports for the developmentally disabled,” Oltjenbruns states. Additionally, getting a child into these services early can be heavily beneficial in the long-term, says Oltjenbruns.
“The earlier the better,” she says. “If somebody can get on developmental services when they’re a child, we can help with the transition from childhood to early adulthood, and the transition from early adulthood to adulthood. I just encourage people who have a family member with a developmental disorder to see if we can help. It can be a little help, it can be a lot of help, or an individual plan for specialized help.”
Anyone interested in the assistance offered may call 417-629-3020 to apply. If eligible, the individual will be assigned to Community Support Services for service coordination. The Community Support Services building is located at 211 E 5th St, Cassville, MO, 65625.
Ezra DeVore
Community Support Services offers help for disabled individuals and their families.
In local communities, options may exist for special needs individuals who need help, but many are unsure of where to go, whom to ask, or even that they could get help.
Shauna Oltjenbruns, of Cassville, has been working with Community Support Services of Missouri for 11 years to diminish this unawareness, and coordinate local disabled individuals with the services that suit their specific needs.
“Most people don’t know they need help,” Oltjenbruns says.
According to her, many disabled people, or their caretakers, grow accustomed to their responsibilities, regardless of how daunting they become over the years.
“A lot of what we see in this area, which is not a bad thing, is families taking care of families; but, as family members age, they’re so used to taking care of their family member that they’re ashamed to ask for help. We see a lot of grandparents taking care of autistic children, and we see a lot of 70+ year old parents taking care of their aging children.”
The spectrum of assistance offered is broad as the spectrum of special needs themselves, though according to Oltjenbruns, transportation is the largest need for most.
“When OATS started providing services for our individuals, it was a huge benefit - life changing for a lot of people, going from essentially home-bound to being as independent as they want to be.
"People can participate in their community, go to rehab, independently.” According to Oltjenbruns, however, OATS offers more assistance than those necessities alone. “People need transportation for basic survival needs,” she said, “a lot of individuals who need a little help don’t drive, so if their help doesn’t show up, or if mom gets sick, they’re home bound.”
Anyone with an intellectual or physical disability (down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, etcetera) can qualify for assistance. “There are many qualifying mental diagnoses,” Oltjenbruns says. Community Support Service Case Management coordinates services for those who qualify, primarily for those who have a developmental disability prior to 21, though CSS Case Managers provide services to individuals of all ages.
Services can range from personal assistance, residential services, and transportation to referrals for music, art, and dance therapy, and beyond, “even some dental services,” says Oltjenbruns. According to her, the full list of services is virtually unending, and can match anyone to their individual assistance requirements and limitations. Budgetary restrictions are something that Community Support Services works with
The services strike specificities that aren’t immediately seen as vital, but in the long-run, may facilitate life-long assistance. “Champion Athletes is a program headed by Susan Miles that supports social skills through sports for the developmentally disabled,” Oltjenbruns states. Additionally, getting a child into these services early can be heavily beneficial in the long-term, says Oltjenbruns.
“The earlier the better,” she says. “If somebody can get on developmental services when they’re a child, we can help with the transition from childhood to early adulthood, and the transition from early adulthood to adulthood. I just encourage people who have a family member with a developmental disorder to see if we can help. It can be a little help, it can be a lot of help, or an individual plan for specialized help.”
Anyone interested in the assistance offered may call 417-629-3020 to apply. If eligible, the individual will be assigned to Community Support Services for service coordination. The Community Support Services building is located at 211 E 5th St, Cassville, MO, 65625.