The Bergen County Division on Disability Services:
Post Stroke & Disabled Adult Support Groups

Policy Statement and Standards of Program Eligibility

Goal: To maintain and provide a quality level of support and activity to all eligible Bergen County Stroke survivors and adults with a disability.

Objective: To continue to expand groups by providing outreach to Bergen County Stroke survivors and adults with a disability to attend one of the support groups and maintain a safe and friendly, supportive environment as well as screen all potential support group participants and complete program intake forms to determine eligibility or non-eligibility.

Application Process: All adults with disabilities interested in becoming a support group member must complete an intake/application form. This form contains participant information such as name, address, phone, medical information , medications, current therapies (Speech, Physical, Occupational), special needs, use of durable equipment (i.e. wheelchair, quad cane, walker) emergency contact and request for transportation. There is no waiting list for participation.

1. The Bergen County Division on Disability’s (DDS) Post Stroke & Disabled Adult Support Groups receive referrals from various County and local agencies, hospitals and service organizations. Client referrals and families with minority adult family members are often referred to our support groups for information and participation.

2. It is the policy and mission of the Post Stroke & Disabled Adult Support Group Programs to accept any individual, regardless of that person’s disability, who meets the minimum standards for participation.

3. Standards of Eligibility:

*Participants must comply with socially acceptable norms and maintain appropriate behavior in the support group.

*Maintain good personal hygiene

*Able to provide for personal needs such as toileting and feeding oneself or is accompanied by a companion or aide to provide assistance.

4. Standards of Non-Eligibility

*Incontinence, wandering, disruptive behavior

While there are no formal termination procedures for participants of the Post Stroke & Disabled Adult Support Group Program, the refusal or inability of a client to cooperate with program eligibility guidelines; physically abusive behavior that may endanger oneself or others and obscene/abusive language or behavior, will not be tolerated and referrals to other adult programs may be initiated. Further there is no appeals process for participations of the Post Stroke & Disabled Support Group Program since determination made by the County in this regard are discretionary.

Disclaimer: as a Consultant for the division, you must make your own determination if a group like this will benefit you. The groups are very supportive.