Resident service coordination
Local RSC organizations
Vermont Resident Service Coordinators (VRSC)
VRSC is a professional group dedicated to providing educational and peer support to individuals and organizations offering resident service coordination services in housing across Vermont. VRSC holds quarterly meetings and special training opportunities for members.
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Hunter, VRSC President802.861.2308
hunter@cathedralsquare.org
New England Resident Service Coordinators (NERSC)
NERSC represents the largest regional collaborative of RSCs in New England. More than 350 RSCs and other affiliate professionals attend NERSC's annual spring conference, reflecting diverse housing and social service backgrounds.
For more information, contact:
Lynn Lippitt, NERSC PresidentNew Hampshire Housing
32 Constitution Dr.
Bedford, NH 03110
800.439.7247 x9221
603.310.9221
603.488.0878 (fax)
llippitt@nhhfa.org
All about resident service coordination
Resident service coordinators (RSCs) work with tenants to identify needs and desires and assist them by linking tenants to the appropriate supportive services in their community.
The role of supportive services in maintaining a tenant's independence and self-sufficiency is critical.
This provides additional assistance to the tenant, family of tenants, housing managers and community service providers through education and a commitment to assist in the areas of information and referral, tenant empowerment, family education and support as well as service coordination.
How tenants and their families benefit
Many individuals may need assistance with the more burdensome tasks of daily living, but have difficulty finding, understanding or paying for the desired service. RSCs work with tenants to identify such needs and procure the supportive services. This assistance allows the tenant to continue to live independently for a longer period of time.
RSCs do not attempt to replace existing human services or the care offered by friends or relatives. Informal support networks, such as family and friends, account for 75 to 80 percent of the care that people receive. While such informal support networks can help to combat common problems, too much reliance on this form of assistance may not adequately meet the needs of the individual and may put an intolerable strain on the caregivers, particularly if they themselves are elderly. RSCs intend to supplement this support network.
How property managements benefits
The isolation created by unmet supportive service needs may contribute to poor health, alcoholism, and abuse of prescribed medications. This may result in property damage and life-threatening situations. As a manager, have you ever had to handle a situation that you believe was inappropriate for you to resolve? Resident service coordination is designed to alleviate management of the burden of direct care and services. By shifting this responsibility to service professionals, potentially dangerous situations may be recognized and resolved before there's a need for crisis intervention.
How RSC affects the community service provider
The challenge of successfully meeting the needs of tenants is formidable in a state such as ours. The rural nature of Vermont, the typical small size of the housing development, geographic constraints, and inclement weather all combine to make service delivery difficult.
Through RSCs, the potential exists for a more productive service delivery system because of the efficiencies of scale. Also, a better understanding of housing and a relationship with housing management will evolve.
