Frequently Asked
What is Center for Social Change?
Center for Social Change, aka CSC, is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 status. It was founded in 1993 in the State of Maryland with an objective to support people with developmental disabilities in the community through different programs.
What is the Mission and Vision of Center for Social Change?
CSC is a United States-based CARF accredited organization. CSC conduct programs and provide multiple services to people with developmental disabilities and related disorders, including autism, in the United States. Programs vary among children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. Services include residential, supported employment, vocational services, day rehabilitation services, advocacy and volunteering. These services promote growth, choice, independence, self-rights and relatively better life for all individuals.
How does one know that these US-based organizations are legitimate organizations?
CSC group of organizations in the USA are legitimate organizations because (a) they do business that carry certificates of good standing; (b) CSC is licensed to do its business in Maryland by the Office of Health Care Quality of the State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) (c) the programs of CSC are monitored by the Developmental Disabilities Administration of DHMH in Maryland and (d) above all, CSC is a CARF-accredited organization in all its programs. For details, also visit www.carf.org.
What do you think are the strengths of your services?
Center for Social Change has historically served the most behaviorally challenging and medically fragile, institutionalized adults and children in the community. Adults who were once institutionalized have adapted well in the community within a short period of time and live happily under the guidance and support of our programs for them. Individuals who were believed to be unsuccessful in community life and because of which they were in the institution for many years, were successfully placed in the community by CSC. Such individuals have grown, changed and learned to live independently in the community. The story of Michael Taylor who, after living in Rosewood Center for ten years, was successfully placed in the community for the first time by CSC. He is well known to the world of advocates of disability in the US. These are our strengths. We are one of the few successful, quality-focused, goal oriented programs in Maryland. We are CARF-accredited in all its programs for the three-year period, the longest duration that CARF awards. We do not have many licensing issues. Our reputation as a quality program can be confirmed by the State agencies, CARF and by parents whose children have done well in the community due to our invaluable and committed efforts.
How do you recruit and train staff?
Our staff are hired primarily through referrals and by careful recruitment. They are thoroughly screened, and their backgrounds are checked. For those working with children, an FBI background check should be completed prior to working with children. CSC has the policy of not hiring an applicant with a criminal background. We also conduct periodic drug testing and regular driving record checks to make sure that our individuals are safe under the care of our employees. CSC employees are trained well prior to working with our individuals. Classroom training as well as online trainings are regularly provided to all our staff. All employees are certified by the Maryland Board of Nursing to administer medications; they also have CPR and First Aid certificates prior to working with our individuals. They go through the State mandated training program with CSC’s training department. All of our employees also receive individualized and special training based on the medical and behavioral needs of the individuals that they work with.
What is your employee retention/turnover rate?
CSC has a good retention rate of employees because we do provide them competitive wages, attractive fringe benefits such as 100% health coverage including dental coverage, a life insurance policy of $25,000, extended life insurance policy, long term disability and short term disability at no cost to the employees, 401(k) with an employer match, earned time off, paid holidays with extended days off, other State mandated benefits such as FMLA, injured worker’s insurance, liability coverage, unemployment benefits, and many more.
What do you do to prevent abuse, neglect or exploitation of individuals in your organization?
We have an internal policy that is in line with the State policy to prevent abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation of our individuals. Such policy is strictly implemented. If at any time an incident is reported to the administration, it is internally investigated. The employee will immediately be suspended pending investigation of the allegation made against the employee. Law enforcement is also informed of the allegation. If an allegation is substantiated as a result of the internal investigation, the employee will be terminated. If an allegation is not substantiated, the employee will be reinstated under strict supervision. All incidents are reported to law enforcement and to the Office of Health Care Quality (Licensing Authority of the State of Maryland) for appropriate action. CSC has a network of supervisors who regularly monitor employees who work with our individuals.
Explain how you include the people you serve in the process of planning their own services?
Services to our individuals are always planned in consultation with them, their families and advocates. Those individuals who are able to speak for themselves regularly join the CSC team in planning their activities. House meetings are held on Fridays in each home and activities are scheduled for the next week. For those who are unable to speak for themselves, family and staff have input in planning activities that are based on their interests and preferences. Individuals plan and participate in major functions such as CSC Day on November 8 every year, Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations, periodic trips to theme parks, Ocean City etc., week-long vacation to out of state resorts and beaches, picnics, sports and games, cook outs and many other activities.
How do you respond to individuals and family members who have concerns about your services?
Family members and individuals who have concerns about our services or staffs, are actively encouraged to contact our administrative office, located at 6600 Amberton Drive, Elkridge, Maryland. CSC also has an On Call Administrator 24/7 to address any emergencies (Please refer to 410-579-6789 for an emergency number). We address the issues immediately and most concerns are resolved quickly. We have a dedicated person as Community Relations liaison for speaking with families and other stakeholders in keeping with our CARF standards. Some families, despite our best efforts, may choose to leave our program and services. We are confident, however, that CSC provides the best service at all times to all our individuals.
What is CSC most proud of in the service to people with disabilities?
CSC is unique in its approach to serving individuals. We are CARF accredited by CARF International in all our programs. We are one of the few providers in Maryland to have earned accreditation in all our programs. That is because we believe in hard work, quality, commitment and values. We all know one another and interact as a family because we care. While medications and behavior plans improve the individuals to a great extent, what works better for the people we serve is our great respect for them and their worth as human beings. And we are proud of our efforts and the efforts of our leadership and staffs who work hard to serve our individuals attaining a relatively better normal, happy life within the community. CSC cares and we change lives! Try our quality, and you will not be disappointed.