Ensuring the safety and quality of life of a person with an intellectual disability can bring many challenges. There are times when that care becomes too much for a family or guardian. These citizens with special needs sometimes have nowhere to turn and cannot be forgotten about. At Taylorville Terrace, an intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities, these community members are well taken care of.
There are many homes like the Taylorville location across the state. Taylorville Terrace, located at 921 East Market Street, holds 16 licensed beds, a floor staff, and a nurse on the grounds daily. 11 of the beds are currently filled and the staff is ready to receive anyone that may need the support.
Kate Mansfield is the Residential Service Director for Taylorville Terrace and spends each day around the members of the home. Mansfield describes just how important this non-profit organization is for the community and how fulfilling the journey has been.
As it is called an intermediate home, those that reside can stay for as long as they need. The final destination for those living at Taylorville Terrace is a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA), which holds fewer beds and is more suited for permanent living.
Mansfield explains that individuals staying at the Taylorville Terrace receive only $30 a month for basic spending. Necessities are provided by the home but spending costs for clothes, personal items, and extra food, make it a tight budget.
To help raise money for the residents, Mansfield and Taylorville Terrace will host a gift basket auction at Florindas in Taylorville on September 25th at 4:00 PM. These people with disabilities are often hard on their belongings and clothing items causing them to go through things faster. Mansfield asks local citizens and businesses to come out to the auction to help support an important cause.
Taylorville Terrace works hard all year to ensure the happiness of their residents. The holiday season can be a difficult time for those without family support, especially those with disabilities. Mansfield describes her effort in finding sponsors for each resident, making personalized lists of the resident's interests, so they can have a few presents under the tree.
Administrator Andy Kindernay and Service Director Kate Mansfield have put forth the effort to ensure the best quality of life possible for disabled individuals that have been left behind or are without support. Volunteers are accepted to help the house or to bring events and opportunities into the home.
Information about Taylorville Terrace can be found at www.phidd.org/. There, one can find sponsor and donation options for those looking to support Taylorville Terrace.
Kate Mansfield and Andy Kindernay appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.
