CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

NorthStar fosters independence, employment

Columbus Telegram (NE) - 7/30/2014

July 30--COLUMBUS -- A local service agency has been helping people with disabilities reach their goals for the past four decades.

NorthStar Services is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The local office at 2866 48th Ave. is just one of the offices located across the state in six service areas.

The office in Columbus is part of a 22-county service area. Currently, 27 people are seeking services locally ranging from helping an individual find a job to assisting with at-home care.

NorthStar is a contracted provider with Nebraska'sDivision of Developmental Disabilities, which determines people's eligibility for services.

There are several providers for people with disabilities in the area and Linda Kallhoff, area director of NorthStar, said one aspect that has been a strength for NorthStar is helping people find employment opportunities in communities.

"Since 2005, we've been hitting pretty hard the concept that employment is for everybody," Kallhoff said.

Having a job provides many benefits, like building a social network and expanding the scope of life, she said.

"When you have a job and a regular paycheck, you start thinking, 'Could I own a house? Not only could I get a driver's license, but could I own a car?'" Kalloff said.

Nationwide there is a push to provide employment opportunities for those with developmental disabilities because public funds are used to provide disability services.

"If you are going to use public dollars for day services, employment needs to be the first option. Every person can work with the right amount of support," Kalloff said.

There is a good success rate at NorthStar for getting people employed. Kalloff said about 57 percent of people seeking services at NorthStar find employment. That is more than double the state and national rates.

Placing a priority on employment over the last several years has helped NorthStar achieve that number, Kalloff said.

Aside from helping individuals find a job, NorthStar also provides other services including assisting people in finding a place to live, whether that be a group home or renting or buying their own. They also provide residential care. That might be assisting with dressing and bathing, providing transportation to work or other activities or helping with budgeting and paying bills.

Recently, a service called The Blue Shoe was started to help young adults transition into their futures.

"It is geared toward kids coming out of school who have used special education services. We help them get to know where they want to go," Kalloff said.

Although employment is a big piece for NorthStar, helping build relationships and a network for individuals with disabilities is just as important, no matter the age of the person they are assisting.

"Social roles and relationships don't just happen. They need to be supported and fostered. If they are not, they disappear from people's lives. When that happens for a person with a disability, what's left is a service life," Kallhoff said.

She hopes NorthStar has been providing services that help individuals in all aspects of life and that it will continue to do so for years to come.

"(I want people to have) the belief that you can dream and create your own life and that you can get the support you need to do that as opposed to living somebody else's idea of what you should be or how you should live," she said.

___

(c)2014 the Columbus Telegram (Columbus, Neb.)

Visit the Columbus Telegram (Columbus, Neb.) at www.columbustelegram.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services

Nationwide News