man relaxes on a couch at home

Residential Services

Home is where memories are made, security is found, and peace is achieved. Home is essential to the mental, physical, and emotional health of any person.

An array of affordable housing options with reasonable accommodations and accessibility are available for people receiving services from Black Hills Works. Individuals have many residential options to choose from, including group homes, community homes, supported living, and Shared Living. Services are provided by direct support professionals who receive training to ensure quality services are based on individual needs and preferences.

Group Homes

Our group homes vary in layout and level of support. Some are arranged as single or double apartments with full kitchens, connected to a larger common area, offering a greater level of independence for residents. Other homes are arranged as single bedrooms, with a kitchen and laundry in the home’s common space, for residents who require more support. To further increase the safety and security of the homes, all of our group homes are staffed 24 hours by highly skilled and qualified support staff, either onsite or through remote supports.

Remote supports are delivered as part of a package of support that includes natural supports, paid supports, and technology. Remote supports can include a video or phone call with a person supported who needs assistance, is in danger, or has veered from a typical routine. Remote support can help promote self-determination, independence, and autonomy, while also helping people supported feel safer and more secure, as roaming staff are always nearby. The broadest category of remote supports include sensors such as motion detectors, door and window sensors, bed and chair sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fall sensors. These sensors and communication devices produce an alert that can be responded to immediately by a staff member who is either nearby or in a remote call center.

There are three levels of residential services:

  • Level 1: 24-hour support is required, either with staff onsite at all times or through remote support. The majority of the residences under Black Hills Works qualify as Level 1 support.
  • Level 2: Supervised Living includes staff available intermittently during waking hours, primarily 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • Level 3: Supported Living is for people that are living in their own home or apartment. Support is offered to assist with life skills such as budgeting and menu planning, and transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and more as needed.

Admission into Black Hills Works is required to live in one of our residential environments. Visit our Admissions page for more information on how to get started.

Shared Living

Shared living is an arrangement of services provided in the private home of an individual or a family. It’s built on the foundation of life sharing, developing natural supports, and being an active member of the community.

The host home provides services, including assistance, support, and guidance in areas such as daily living, safety and security, community living, healthy lifestyle, social and spiritual, and citizenship and advocacy.

Shared living is an option for any person with a disability who is interested in this type of living environment and is eligible for services in a HCBS waiver through the Department of Human Services.

To live in our homes, you must be a person supported by us. Visit our Admissions page for more information on how to get started.