Northern Management Services, Ltd. originally opened on Feb. 1, 1991. and operates as a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping persons with developmental disabilities reach their full potential and to encourage their independence by providing supervised, community based living alternatives for adults. NMS provides services that help to build dignity, self-worth and self-expression for individuals. Northern Management emphasizes the least restrictive, most natural settings possible.

When Northern Michigan Community Mental Health decided to contract out the operation of its group homes, Northern Management was formed by two of the existing home supervisors. The goal of Northern Management was to provide as seamless a transition as possible for the individuals in the home and for the staff. It is our belief that this goal was accomplished. This agency currently operates the six licensed small group homes with six individuals in each home. We are truly indebted to all who have worked hard to see that individuals with handicaps and developmental disadvantages are provided with independent living opportunities.

Northern Management Services values input in policy making, updating training and creating a better home life for the individuals and a better work place for the staff. We have come to realize that the more input we get from these sources the better we function. Some ways that staff and individual input is gathered:

• Safety Committee.

  This committee is made up of one staff from each NMS location. They monitor safety issues in the homes. Quarterly they meet to discuss all incidents that occur and ways to improve or to better train the staff on how to prevent accidents. They speak at all staff meetings to educate the staff about the things they have learned.
  Some issues they have worked on
  • A new policy was written and implemented on Bio- terrorism. Kits were put together and staff were trained on what to do should we have a bio-terrorism attack.
  • The fire evacuation protection plans for each location were updated to include what to do after we are out of the home and there is an actual fire.
  • A bomb threat policy was written, trained and implemented.

• Training Committee.

  This committee which is comprised of staff in each looks at all the training that is given to new employees. They are in the process of going through each section of the Toolbox training to see where we may need to add more information to better train and educate these staff. Who better to critique and improve the training than the people who were trained using these techniques? They know where the training is weak and what would have helped them to be better caregivers.
  Some accomplishments:
  • The medication passing practices changed after these staff pointed out an easier more efficient way to pass medications.
  • Skill sheets that teach new employees step by step basics of care giving were not thorough enough. These have all been changed to include more information.
  • The documentation training and communication training did not include some very important information that staff needed to know, it now does.
  • Currently they are now in the process of writing a new training section that trains new staff in the art of professionalism.

• Activity Committee.

  This Committee of staff was formed because NMS began to understand that it is very important that individuals have access to as many different experiences as possible in home and out in the community in order to know what choices they have access to. You cannot learn and grow without these experiences. Staff meet quarterly to come up with new ideas to keep everyone busy doing fun things.
  Some accomplishments
  • They presented at the annual Northern Regional Conference on Developmental Disabilities.
  • They discussed all the activities they have been doing and trained other providers on the philosophy of learning and growth through greater accessibility and choice making.
  • They helped the NMS Red hat society build a float for the Alpenfest Parade.
  • See the activity section to see some of the activities and fun things that have been done.

• Unicorn Council Committee.

  This consumer council was named the Unicorn council by the individuals who attended the first meeting. Council meetings are held on a quarterly basis and are comprised of people in all different walks of life. Some live in their own homes or apartments and several are from AFC homes. They are from Gaylord, Cheboygan and Grayling. They work in Restaurants, factories, workshops and many attend in home day services. One individual has her own business. Several staff who provide care in the homes are also council members. The council is a great place to meet new people and to learn new things. This council gives everyone a chance to voice their opinions in many of the current issues that are going on at any given time. When new policies and procedures are written for Northern Management services these council members help the agency by giving their input. They understand that their job is to not only speak for themselves, but for the many that are unable to speak.
  Some Accomplishments
  • Helped write training and policies on topics such as, when guardians visit, van usage, and Hospice care.
  • They are Registered to vote and have done so for local issues as well as the last presidential election.
  • Assisted with accessibility plan to meet CARF standards.
  • Assisted with pictorial Rights booklet. For individuals to understand their rights if they cannot read.
  • Assisted with Orientation for new individuals moving into a new home in order to lessen the stress of a new home.