Our Deaconess Project SEARCH is modeled on a nationally recognized program developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.   Project SEARCH provides your transition age students with quality, unpaid internship experiences preparing your student for competitive employment in the “real world”.  Through Project SEARCH Indiana, students in transition, those with disabilities who are in their last year of high school can experience innovative employment and career development opportunities.

Deaconess Project SEARCH is a successful partnership between SIRS, Deaconess Hospital, Warrick County School Corporation, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Center on Community Living and Careers -Indiana University.  At this time, SIRS provides this service to students in Warrick County.

SIRS Employment Consultant works with the Deaconess Hospital staff and the Warrick County Special Education teaching staff so that Project SEARCH student interns can develop a variety of skills, including be not limited to:

Specific job skills

Employer relationship skills

Workplace social skills

Interviewing skills

SIRS Respite, a division of SIRS, provides temporary care daily, weekly or as needed.  We will gladly arrange care for just a few hours or up to 24-hour care while you’re away.

 As a care giver of a loved one you may struggle to balance your responsibilities and finding time for yourself.  SIRS Respite service is designed to provide you with a much-needed and much-deserved brief period of rest.  Our well trained staff provides quality care to your loved one while you attend to your day-to-day activities.

No matter how much you love the person you are caring for, there may come a time that you will want a break. Without a reprieve the constant stress will deplete your energies and will take a toll on you physically, mentally and emotionally. 

If you will not do it for yourself; please consider that respite care also benefits your loved one. After a break, you will return with your battery recharged. You will be refreshed and more effective.

 Our staff will…

Assist your loved one in daily living skills

Provide companion care to your loved one

Assist your loved one in community activities

Monitor your loved one’s health and safety

 You will be able to…

Visit with friends

Pursue activities

Attend to day-to-day tasks

Relax and enjoy

Home of My Own, a division of SIRS, offers several residential service options.  These options allow you to direct the decisions that affect your life and control how your resources are used.

Two models of consumer directed services are available to allow people to be more involved with your overall service delivery.   Model #1 allows you to hire, manage, and support your direct service employees.  As employer of record SIRS will approve all hires.  You will manage your state budget and verify services provided.  SIRS maintains all other responsibilities as provider of record.  Model #2 allows you to hire your own employees, train, supervise, evaluate and discharge them at your own discretion.  You will be the employer for all direct service employees and are responsible to follow all applicable federal and state employment laws. SIRS will assist so that you adhere to all requirements and guidelines of Medicaid Waiver under IAC 460.

Model #3 is a traditional model of service delivery and is available for those who do not wish to choose a consumer directed model.  SIRS will hire employees, train, supervise, evaluate, discharge, and schedule at their discretion with involvement and input from you as the Consumer.  SIRS assumes all responsibility for following all applicable federal and state employment laws and obtaining proper insurance.

Under each model, SIRS will provide the services of a Residential Services Consultant who understands Medicaid Waiver regulations and residential supports.  The consultant will assist with the development of your Individual Service Plan, finding services and supports, scheduling and staffing questions, monitoring your plan, and adherence to contract and Medicaid Waiver requirements.

For more  information about the Consumer directed or the Traditional model click the links listed under More Home of My Own Residential Services toward the bottom of the page.

Individuals who receive Social Security or Social Security disability benefits are eligible to participate in a free service offered by the Social Security Administration.  The Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Project services are available in the southern and southeastern counties of Indiana under the name Indiana Works.  Through Indiana Works, a trained work incentive coordinator will provide SSI or SSDI beneficiaries with information about work incentives that protect their benefits while making an effort to work, return to school, start a business or work towards financial independence.

The Social Security Administration allows beneficiaries to test their ability to work and still continue receiving disability or SSI benefits.  Through the WIPA project, beneficiaries can expect to receive free expert advice on working and earning potential and a thorough benefit analysis or breakdown of benefits including the ‘how’ and the ‘when’ working may cause changes to Social Security disability or SSI benefits.  Opportunities are available to explore employment options and long-term support as well as obtain information about other Federal, State and local employment work programs and incentives.

By utilizing services available through Indiana Works, beneficiaries can make informed decisions about what works for them in their efforts to achieve financial independence.  For more immediate assistance or to schedule a personal benefits analysis, you can call a work incentive coordinator in your area, toll-free at 888-908-7992.

Click on the following links for more information about Indiana Works, Work Incentive Planning & Assistance

Link-N-Go Transportation Services, a division of SIRS, is an accessible, on-demand transportation service operating in Dubois, Perry, Spencer, and Warrick Counties.  Link-N-Go is a qualified provider of Traditional Medicaid transportation services in all four counties and partners in all four counties with rural public transportation service.  Riders must be residents of the service counties and should call one week in advance to schedule transportation; any appointments called in less than one weeks notice will be subject to availability. To schedule a ride call Monday – Friday between 8am – 4pm using our Toll Free number 1-866-954-6599 and in Perry County 1-812-547-3348.  Let our friendly drivers provide you with safe and reliable  transportation.

My Community Link, a division of SIRS, works with you to develop friendships and activities within your community.  You will be assisted in exploring activities of your choice which could include:  volunteer positions, sporting and community events, joining a club, meeting with friends, exploring a hobby, taking a class, or other activities available in your community.

SIRS believes that you have the right to actively participate in your community.  You are encouraged to explore those things in your community which interest you.  SIRS staff will support you in your exploration to help make the process go as smoothly as possible.

SIRS provides therapeutic services to children and adolescents who are experiencing developmental delays and/or disability due to acute or chronic injuries and conditions.  Services are provided in the child’s home, daycare setting, or SIRS clinic sites.  Licensed Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapy services are available through private pay, private insurance, and Indiana First Steps.

SIRS provides Early Intervention services, through First Steps, to participating families. There are fifteen different services available for children birth to three years of age through First Steps.   SIRS provides six of them. They can also direct you to each county’s System Point of Entry, the place to start if you are interested in obtaining services for your child.

All children develop at their own rate, but there are some guidelines for parents to follow in keeping track of their children’s skills. 

Jobs+, a division of SIRS,  will assist you with your career planning.  You will be partnered with an Employment Specialist that will work with you thoughout the process.  This can include creating your resume, completing  job applications, preparing for interviews, as well as actively contacting area employers on your behalf about current job openings.   Best of all, your Employment Specialist will offer on the job support in order for you to be successful and advance in your new position.