Guardianship Services
The Life Essentials guardianship program provides support for adults in Montgomery, Greene, Shelby and Miami Counties who have been deemed mentally incompetent and who do not have family willing or capable of making sound decisions for them.
Life Essentials staff and trained volunteers take on the critical role as guardian, working with their clients to ensure that each individual has the best possible life and lives in the least restrictive environment. Guardians become the advocate and voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves.
In addition to fulfilling the role of guardian, the Life Essentials guardianship program provides support to family members and/or friends who are willing and capable of becoming the guardian for a loved one.
Resources for Older Adults
General Resources in Ohio
Ohio Department of Aging
The Ohio Department of Aging is a cabinet-level state agency that administers programs and services to meet the needs of older Ohioans. These programs are funded by the federal Older Americans Act, Medicaid, and other sources. Additionally, the Ohio Department of Medicaid contracts with the Ohio Department of Aging to administer certain Medicaid programs. CLICK HERE to visit their website.
Ohio Department of Medicaid
The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) provides health care coverage to more than 3 million Ohioans through a network of more than 165,000 providers. Learn more about Ohio’s largest state agency and the ways in which ODM works to improve wellness and health outcomes for the individuals and families they serve. CLICK HERE to visit their website.
Consumer Hotline: 800-324-8680
Long-term Care Ombudsman
Ohio’s Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Paid and volunteer staff work to resolve complaints about services, help people select a provider, and offer information about benefits and consumer rights. Ombudsman representatives do not regulate nursing homes and home health agencies, but do work with providers, residents, their families, and other representatives to resolve problems and concerns.
For assistance, contact your regional long-term care ombudsman program:
Ombudsman Region 2: West Central Ohio
Serving Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby Counties
Phone: 1-800-395-8267
Ombudsman Region 3: Northwestern Ohio
Serving Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam, and Van Wert Counties
Phone: 1-800-542-1874
Regional Resources
Area Agency on Aging, PSA2
This independent, private, nonprofit corporation plans and funds services for older persons in Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties. Through partnerships with community organizations, services are provided to older adults to help them remain independent. The 12 Area Agencies on Aging in Ohio are part of a national aging service network. CLICK HERE to visit their website.
RESOURCES BY COUNTY
Champaign County
Job & Family Services: 1-800-837-4290 or 937-484-1500
Social Security Office:
- Springfield: 1-877-405-1451
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
Darke County
Job & Family Services: 1800-501-5635 or 937-548-4132
Social Security Office:
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
- Richmond Ind.: 1-866-446-6190
Logan County
Job & Family Services: 937-599-5165
Social Security Office:
- Lima: 1-800-223-0288
- Marian: 1-888-475-0296
Miami County
Job & Family Services: 937-440-3471
Social Security Office:
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
Preble County
Job & Family Services: 937-456-6205
Social Security Office:
- Richmond Ind.: 1-866-446-6190
- Cincinnati: 1-800-772-1213
Shelby County
Job & Family Services: 937-498-4981
Social Security Office:
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
Other Resources
STEADY U Ohio
This statewide collaborative falls prevention initiative is supported by Ohio government and state business partners to ensure that every county, every community and every Ohioan knows how they can prevent falls, one step at a time. This website is the source in Ohio for falls prevention information, tools and other resources. CLICK HERE to visit the website.
COVID-19 Resources for Older Ohioans
According to the Ohio Department of Health, older Ohioans are among those most at risk for complications from COVID-19. The links below are intended to help families and providers prepare for and respond to COVID-19.
For specific health guidance, consult your local public health officials, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov, or call 1-833-427-5634.
Professional Counseling
Are you going through interpersonal or emotional challenges that make your daily life more difficult? Our professional counseling team is here to help. Our counselors can help you deal with depression, anxiety, trauma, behavior issues, relationship problems, grief, domestic violence, adjustment to illness, post-adoption emotions, and many other issues. We offer professional counseling for individuals, couples and families, and we work with children age 5 and up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does therapy entail?
The counseling process begins with a short period of assessment that may take up to 2-4 visits. In this time the therapist is becoming familiar with you and your goals and the barriers you are encountering. After this, you and the therapist work together to develop a treatment plan that outlines your goals and the steps we will take to achieve these. In other words, we are asking, “What do you want? And how will we know when you achieve that?” The treatment process may be brief (6-10 sessions), or extend longer if you feel that more work is needed to resolve your problems to your satisfaction.
How long are counseling sessions?
Generally, sessions are held weekly or twice a month, and each session lasts about 50 minutes.
Many people resolve their concerns in a few sessions. Most treatment is short-term with 10 or fewer sessions.
Is this religious-based counseling?
No, it is not pastoral counseling. Our professional, licensed counselors offer assistance to people in need regardless of religion or ethnic background.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept most private insurance as well as Medicaid. Please talk with our office staff to see if your plan is accepted. Please check with your insurance provider for the specific details of your plan’s coverage.
What if I don’t have insurance for mental health care?
We use a sliding scale to make treatment more affordable for those who don’t have insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover mental health services.
How do I schedule an appointment?
If you are interested in pursuing counseling at Catholic Social Services, the next step is to call our Sidney office at 937.498.4593.
Assisted Living
Assisted Living combines a home-like setting with personal support services to provide a safer and more monitored environment than what’s available through home care services. Assisted living facilities provide older adults with a less-restrictive alternative to a nursing facility. Individuals who meet level-of-care needs and meet established financial criteria may be eligible for Ohio’s Assisted Living Waiver Program.
The Assisted Living option is best for individuals who need some services but are still fairly independent. Residential assisted living facilities provide environments that are designed to keep aging adults active but safe. Assisted Living promotes aging in place by supporting a consumer’s desire for independence, choice, and privacy. The services help preserve the dignity of the individual, as well as maintaining ties to family and friends.
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley can help you determine whether you’re eligible for the waiver program, make sure the assisted living facility you’ve chosen is appropriately licensed and certified, and complete the enrollment process.
Information for Providers
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley contracts with a number of providers for PASSPORT and Assisted Living services. To ensure quality service and client provider choice, these providers are continually monitored by our Quality Assurance Process.
PASSPORT and Assisted Living providers are monitored through a systematic program that measures safety and effectiveness. The PASSPORT Quality Assurance Process is based on guarantees made by the State of Ohio to obtain the PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver. These guarantees include safeguards for the client’s health and welfare and provider procurement and monitoring systems. PASSPORT rules that are used to evaluate each provider’s service quality are part of the Ohio Administrative Code.
For more information about being a PASSPORT provider, call Kathy Geise at CSSMV at (937) 498-4593 or (833) 289-0227, ext. 1122
To become a certified service provider, you must go through an application process with the Ohio Department of Aging. For information and to start the process, CLICK HERE.Become a Service Provider
Sandata EVV 1:1
Providers can have a personal one-on-one training with a Sandata EVV trainer to go over their specific issues. Register at https://go.oncehub.com/ODMEVVHelp
Prescription Drug Cost Savings
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM (MSP)
& LOW INCOME SUBSIDY (LIS)
Consumers receiving Medicare who have limited income and assets may qualify for Extra Help with the cost of their prescription drugs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare work together to provide this extra help through the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) — also known as the Extra Help program.
Prescription drug costs continue to increase. The insurance maze of tiers, generic vs. non-generic, co-pays and donut holes can be confusing. Some consumers skip doses or just stop taking the medicines that their doctors recommend because they simply cannot afford them. Not taking a prescribed medicine or not taking it as directed can lead to additional health problems.
The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and Low Income Subsidy (LIS) may be the answer for some struggling seniors.
Those who are eligible for the low income subsidy will get help paying for 75% or more of their monthly Part D premium, yearly deductible, and prescription co-payments. They will also have no gap in coverage = No Donut Hole.
Our agency can assist individuals with the application process. The application is completed electronically with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Contact our Northern Counties office at (937) 498-4593 or (833) 289-0227 for more information.
Free Classes & Info Sessions
Our Family Stabilization & Support (FSS) staff coordinate an ongoing series of classes and informational sessions that are free for anyone to attend.
Most sessions focus on wellness and stress management, financial empowerment, health and nutrition. Some are led by CSSMV staff, while others have guest presenters from the Ohio State University Extension Office, Day Air Credit Union, and other community partners. The selection of topics is driven by the interest level of our clients and community members.
Attendance is not limited to CSSMV clients. Other agencies are welcome to share our event schedules with their own clients, and anyone from the general public is welcome to attend any session that’s of interest. We only ask that those planning to attend RSVP in advance so we can plan accordingly, and so that we can notify them of any unexpected changes in the class date or time.
Classes offered by other programs within CSSMV, such as Parenting, are also included in our class listings when they are free and open to the public.
Post-Adoption Support Services
Adoption is a life-long process and each adoption is unique and special. Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley offers post-adoption services and general adoption information, support for adoptees, and specialized support for adoptive families through our Safe Counseling program.
Whether you’re an adoptee looking for information on your birth family, you’re looking for information about how to adopt a child, or your family includes an adopted child, we have expertise to assist you. The CSSMV professional counseling program is available to adult and child adoptees and their families, and also offers special expertise in the area of attachment disorders.
Long Term Support Services
PASSPORT (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today) is a home-care Medicaid waiver program that provides long-term care services to assist people in maintaining their independence. The program is provided at no cost to Medicaid-eligible individuals 60 years of age or older. Individuals at risk of nursing home placement can often remain in their own homes with the supportive services of the PASSPORT program. Licensed, professional PASSPORT staff members assess clients’ needs, make recommendations, and arrange for services which are provided in-home through contracted agencies. PASSPORT services can include personal care assistance, homemaking, home-delivered meals, emergency response systems, adult day care, home medical equipment, minor home modification, medical transportation, chore services, and social work counseling. An assessment at no cost can be completed for anyone interested in home care services, regardless of program eligibility. Even if you don’t think you would qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for PASSPORT Financial eligibility is determined by the Ohio Department of Medicaid.
Many older adults find a care provider by going through a certified personal care service agency. But perhaps you already know someone who you think would be a good fit, or you’d just prefer to choose and hire a care provider for yourself. Will PASSPORT allow this? YES!
Participant direction is an option available to individuals on Ohio’s PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver Program. Participant direction is designed to give individuals more choice and control over how, when, and by whom they receive their services.
In participant direction, you recruit and hire your own care provider. The person you hire becomes certified through the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) instead of getting hired as an employee through a certified personal care service agency. YOU are the employer, and the provider is your employee. You are the employer of record and are responsible for recruiting, hiring, firing, managing, and evaluating provider performance, keeping employer records, and setting the provider’s work schedule. You can designate a representative of your choice to assist with some, or all, of your employer responsibilities.
CLICK HERE for more information about the rules and procedures for choosing Participant Direction.
“Having observed most facets of the CSSMV ministry in Greenville and Darke County, I have become especially appreciative of the work of PASSPORT and other senior-centered programs which provide quality care and dignity to so many seniors in our region … I have been so impressed with the level of expertise and care their staff provide clients. As a Protestant pastor it has been refreshing to see how CSSMV has been willing and able to cross religious boundaries, assisting with needs regardless of faith or creed.”
What if I’m not eligible for PASSPORT?
Care Coordination provides services such as case management, personal care aides, adult day services, adult day service transportation, home-delivered meals, emergency response systems and more for those who are financially ineligible for PASSPORT.
For more information and to determine your eligibility, call our Northern Counties office at (937) 498-4593 or (833) 289-0227 and request a free assessment.
Parenting Classes & Groups
We host free classes and meetings that can help you gain the knowledge and tools to become a more confident and nurturing parent.
Current Offerings:
- Positive Parenting & Co-Parenting — Whether both parents are living together in the same household or you’re sharing custody and “co-parenting” between two households, it’s important to develop good parenting skills to provide stability for your child. This one-session class can help. Click HERE for a printable flyer with more information.
- The POEM Support Group is for Dayton-area pregnant and postpartum moms and birthing persons. The group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 6:30 to 8:00pm at our Center for Families, 1046 Brown Street in Dayton. POEM – Perinatal Outreach & Encouragement for Moms – is Mental Health America of Ohio’s perinatal mental health program. (Perinatal = the period of time from the start of a pregnancy up to a year after giving birth.) Support group sessions are moderated by mothers who have gone through the POEM peer support group training program. You don’t need to preregister to attend. Childcare is not available, but babies in arms are welcome. For more information, please call 937.660.9220 or email poemdayton@mhaohio.org.
Eckerle Administration Center
922 West Riverview Avenue
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 223-7217 or (800) 300-2937
General email: cssmv@cssmv.org