Frontier Community Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What We Are About Board Member Log In
Agency History

FCS began in 1981 as a grass roots operation through the efforts of parents in the Kenai/Soldotna area with disabled children who had aged out of high school. The parents were concerned of the potential risk of isolation for their young adult children due to their spending the majority of time at home. The home atmosphere provided a minimal amount of interaction with peers and did not encourage further growth and development of their children.

The agency started operation under the name of Frontier Training Center and became incorporated and obtained 501 (c) (3) status. In 1985 Frontier Training Center successfully solicited funding from the State of Alaska and was able to begin a sheltered workshop providing laundry services that promoted some new skill development and growth for the consumers. In 1987 Frontier was awarded state grant funds to provide developmentally disabled individuals with residential, vocational, and respite services.  In 1993, FCS expanded services by taking operational responsibility of the local Early Intervention-Infant Learning program and by purchasing a house in Kenai to provide residential habilitation services.

In1995, FCS was approved to provide services under the Home and Community Based Waiver system for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MRDD waiver), children with complex medical conditions (CCMC waiver) and adults with physical disabilities (APD waiver). Also in 1995 Frontier built a four-plex to provide safe, affordable and accessible housing for developmentally disabled consumers. In 1996, there was a formal name change made from Frontier Training Center to Frontier Community Services to reflect the broad range of services Frontier had expanded into. Further expansion in 1996 was accomplished by grant funds to provide care coordination, chore services, and respite services for seniors with frail health, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  During the year of 1997, FCS was approved to provide services under the Home and Community Based Waiver system for seniors; under the Older Alaskan’s Waiver (OA Waiver). 

During 1998, FCS was awarded state grant funding for a Family Support Project (now known as the Short Term Assistance and Referral Program).  The goal of this project is to provide support and referral services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  In 1999, FCS built another community home for individuals moving out of the state run institution for individuals with developmental disabilities.  During the year 2000, FCS expanded again by adding a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) program with funds from two grants. At the State’s request in 2000, FCS took over services from another agency in Valdez. This expansion provided FCS with two additional community homes and service provision to developmentally disabled consumers in Valdez.

In 2005, FCS applied for and was awarded the Behavioral Health Independent Case Management and Flexible Supports grant. Under this grant the agency was given a mental health provider number allowing FCS to provide services for individuals who experience mental health issues. Also in 2005, FCS was awarded the Healthy Families grant for the Kenai Peninsula and was the area grantee until the end of the program in 2007. In 2007 FCS was awarded the Supported Employment grant to provide vocational services for individuals who experience behavioral health issues. 

In 2009 FCS once again expanded the variety of services being offer for to the area senior population by opening Irons, our first senior assisted living home as well as assuming responsibility for the Forget-Me-Not Adult Day Center. In 2010 FCS received grant funding to implement a “senior center without walls” program. 

The goal of the senior center without walls is to identify those senior who are risk of isolation and for any number of reasons are not able to attend activities at one of the local senior centers.  Once identified the program would begin to connect these individuals with others like themselves and create a “senior center” program using the phone system.   

The rural location of FCS and the fact that until recently there were no other disability service agencies in the area contributed to the  development the wide scope of services currently available through our agency.  FCS is truly unique in that we are able to provide services to consumers with disabilities of all ages and not just one specialized group.  

Well over 500 people are routinely being served by the various programs that FCS provides. That number does not include individuals that have attended educational presentations regularly provided by FCS programs. According to the last area census (2000) the population for the Kenai Peninsula Borough was roughly 49,691. The same 2000 census shows that approximately 5685 individuals between the ages of 5-64 experience a disability that impacts their life in someway.   The Peninsula also has a growing senior (age 65 and older) population. The 2000 census also shows the senior population for our area at 3649.  These census number show that there is a substantial and growing population of individuals that will need to use agencies such as FCS to provide services in order for them to continue to live in the home and community of their choice.

VISION STATEMENT

It is our belief that people are healthier and happier living in their own homes and communities.  Based on that belief, Frontier Community Services will advocate for the right of individuals with disabilities of all ages to live in the home and community of their choice. 

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Frontier Community Services is to provide quality, individualized home, and community-based services for people of all ages who are at risk of, or experiencing a disabling condition, in order to minimize the need for institutional care.

FCS will continue to develop as a sound quality human service organization by

  • Providing services that are needed to support individuals and families to live safely in the least restrictive setting of their choice.
  • Increasing affordable, accessible, residential, community housing options.
  • Expanding service options in order to support individuals through all stages of life.
  • Promoting community awareness and understanding.
Board Member Brochure

Board of Directors

David Carey
David Carey

Board Present

Carl Bauman
Carl Bauman

Vice President

Junie Steinbeck
Junie Steinbeck

Treasurer & Secretary


Vicki Leach
Director

Michelle Davidson
Michelle Davidson

Consumer Representative