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Venture House is a ten-bed community residence located in Oneida, New York. Venture House opened its doors on June 30, 1980 to serve adults age 18 and older that are diagnosed with a mental illness, and meet the DSM-IV criteria for being severely and persistently mentally ill.
The setting is a quiet residential neighborhood within easy walking distance to a number of essential community resources. Venture House staff provide 24 hour a day/7 day a week support and supervision for the residents of the house. There are six full-time staff and several relief staff.
The house is a large Victorian-era structure. There are seven bedrooms, which include four singles and three doubles (bedroom assignments are dependent upon numerous considerations). A large attic affords plenty of space for residents to store any personal articles they wish to have with them.
All residents partake in programming/treatment with providers throughout the community to address their mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Additionally, residents have ample opportunity to practice or regain daily living skills under staff instruction and supervision. Discharge planning begins from the day residency begins and residents are encouraged to live as independently as possible. Each resident works with a designated staff person to develop an individual service plan identifying those areas of deficit in independent living skills. Residents and staff also identify community supports necessary to ensure successful independent living. Residents take an active part in all decisions regarding their treatment and discharge planning.
Residents of the house take primary responsibility for general housekeeping, with everyone sharing in the daily chores. Residents and staff take turns cooking supper for the entire household. Dinner is eaten family style. Residents take primary responsibility for preparing their own breakfast and lunch, using the house kitchen and pantry.
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