Brother James Court is a residential intermediate care facility in which our residents learn various functional skills in each of the four wings where they reside. We currently have two single rooms with private baths. Wing 500 is devoted to our high-functioning residents. The men live with a single roommate and have their own bathroom to share between them. Wings 200, 300 and 400 have four residents to a room and they share a community bathroom located at the front of the wing. These bath areas have been completely remodeled in recent years. All of our residents are empowered with skills in hygiene, self-medication, communication, home community, personal care and various domestic skills.
BJC employs more than 50 trained direct care staff who serve as teachers to our men, assisting them in programs to help them fulfill their highest potential in life skills. Our DSP (Direct Service Provider) staff consists of certified developmental disability aids trained in providing high-quality care to each resident of Brother James Court. DSP staff, with the training and assistance of our QSP (Qualified Service Professional) staff, monitor the men’s progress throughout the course of each day.
BJC encourages our residents to achieve the highest level of independence possible. We attain these goals through carefully crafted programming and a consistent, realistic approach. All of our residents attend day training in some form, whether it’s a workshop or a community-based position. Our men have the opportunity to learn about a working environment and work ethic that reinforces our goals outside the facility.
When the doors opened to Brother James Court in October, 1975, there were 65 residents, from 17 to 51 years of age. In 2010, 35 of those residents have remained with us. Our population has grown to 98 men from 21 to 77 years of age. Today’s minimum age for admission is 18.
Our residents have many opportunities to reach out to the local community. The men have been involved with a variety of fundraising activities with local Knights of Columbus Councils and representing Brother James Court at its Annual Benefit Auction & Dinner every Spring. They compete in the Special Olympics annually and proudly display their medals of achievement. Their outings include movies, frequent visits to their favorite restaurants, sporting events, and live community theatre and concert venues. Many individuals present musical programs in our atrium that encourage sing-alongs and lots of dancing and clapping!
There are four patios with new picnic tables that include conventional and wheel-chair accessible designs, and new benches and floral planters. The oval walking track (measuring 208 feet long) has a new surface and new benches.
A Virtual Tour of Brother James Court is available through one of our YouTube videos here on www.brotherjamescourt.com .
Social Services
The responsibility of Social Services is to coordinate the Case Managers at Brother James Court. Their goals include:
- Maximize social functioning
- Enhance coping capacity
- Safeguard human and civil rights
- Foster human dignity and personal worth
- Refer for special services
- Prepare for changes in the living environment
- Develop behavior intervention plans
- Provide habilitation services and coordinate care
