EMS Care Group of Texas · Client Information
Individualized Skills & Socialization (ISS) Services in Texas
Practical Skills for Greater Independence
Everyone deserves the opportunity to build the skills, confidence, and support needed to participate more fully in everyday life.
EMS Care Group of Texas provides Individualized Skills and Socialization (ISS) services designed to help children and adults develop practical skills, increase independence, strengthen social connections, and improve functioning at home and in the community.
Our services are individualized, person-centered, and provided in person within community-based settings.
Building skills for real life… where real life happens.
Make a Referral Call: 469-904-1711
What Is Individualized Skills and Socialization (ISS)?
Individualized Skills and Socialization, commonly called ISS, provides individualized skills training and support based on each person’s needs, strengths, preferences, goals, and service plan.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, EMS works with everyone to identify the functional skills that can help them become more independent and successful in everyday environments.
EMS Care Group of Texas currently provides off-site ISS services, with services delivered in person in natural and community-based environments. Funded by Texas State Medicaid.
Service area: Tarrant County.
What Can ISS Help With?
Sometimes the skills that make the biggest difference are the ones we use every day.
Depending on the individual’s needs and goals, ISS may address:
Daily Living & Independence
- Personal hygiene and self-care
- Money management
- Transportation skills
- Navigating community resources
- Increasing independent functioning
Communication & Social Skills
- Communication
- Assertiveness
- Developing appropriate social skills
- Making appropriate choices during social and leisure activities
- Building natural supports and community connections
Coping & Emotional Skills
- Stress-reduction strategies
- Anger-management skills
- Problem-solving
- Developing healthier responses to challenging situations
Community Connections
Individuals may also receive assistance accessing and connecting with resources such as medical care, behavioral health or substance use services, legal resources, housing-related supports, and other needed community services.
Skills Are Meant to Be Used Not Just Talked About
One of the most important parts of our approach is where services happen.
EMS provides off-site ISS services in natural environments that may include:
- The individual’s home
- School
- Community locations
- Other appropriate community-based settings
This allows individuals to practice skills in the environments where they actually need to use them.
The goal is practical progress that can translate into greater independence, improved functioning, and more successful community participation.
Individualized Around the Person
No two people have exactly the same needs.
That’s why our services begin with understanding the individual, not simply identifying a list of deficits.
Our approach emphasizes:
- Person-Centered Care
Goals and interventions are based on the individual’s strengths, needs, preferences, culture, values, and priorities. - Independence
Services encourage self-determination and development of skills that can improve everyday functioning. - Strengths-Based Support
We build upon what the individual can already do while developing skills in areas where additional support is needed. - Trauma-Informed Care
Services promote emotional and physical safety while supporting empowerment and avoiding re-traumatization. - Community Integration
The goal isn’t simply learning a skill. It’s being able to use that skill successfully in everyday life.
Working Together With the People Already Supporting You
ISS doesn’t have to operate separately from an individual’s other services.
With appropriate authorization, EMS may collaborate with members of the individual’s existing support team, including:
- Service coordinators
- Case managers
- Therapists
- Mental health and substance use providers
- MCO care coordinators
- School personnel
- Medical providers
- Child welfare or juvenile justice professionals
- Probation or parole professionals
- Other community providers
When an individual already has an Individual Plan of Care (IPC), Individual Service Plan (ISP), or another person-centered plan, applicable goals, recommendations, and restrictions can help guide ISS service planning.
Who May Benefit From ISS?
ISS may be appropriate for children or adults who need additional support developing or maintaining skills necessary for successful daily and community living.
Someone may benefit from ISS if they need additional assistance with areas such as:
- Independent living
- Daily routines
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Coping and stress management
- Emotional or behavioral regulation
- Money management
- Transportation
- Community navigation
- Accessing resources
- Building natural supports
- Increasing participation in home, school, work, or community environments
Not sure whether ISS is the right service?
Contact our Texas team. We can discuss the individual’s needs, existing services, and referral information to help determine the appropriate next step.
Submit an Inquiry Call: 469-904-1711
What to Expect
- Referral
Contact EMS to begin the referral process and provide information about the individual’s current needs and services. - Assessment & Planning
Needs, strengths, functional abilities, risks, barriers, and recommended interventions are reviewed to help determine appropriate services. - Individualized Goals
An individualized treatment plan identifies measurable goals, interventions, service frequency, and areas of functional need. - Community-Based Services
A qualified service provider works directly with the individual on identified skills and goals in appropriate community-based environments. - Progress & Coordination
Progress is documented and monitored, with coordination among other members of the individual’s support system when appropriate.
Why Choose EMS?
Experience That Goes Beyond Texas
EMS has been providing community-based behavioral health services since 2005.
We understand that meaningful progress doesn’t happen only in an office. It happens at home, at school, in the community, and during the everyday situations where people need to use the skills they’re developing.
We bring that community-based philosophy to our Texas ISS program.
Our Approach
- Person-Centered
The individual and their goals remain at the center of services. - Community-Based
Skills are developed and practiced in real-world environments. - Collaborative
We work with families, providers, service coordinators, and other supports when appropriate. - Goal-Focused
Services are connected to individualized, measurable goals. - Focused on Independence
Our goal is to help individuals strengthen the skills they need to participate more successfully in everyday life.
Make a Referral to EMS Care Group of Texas
Whether you’re an individual, parent or guardian, service coordinator, case manager, healthcare professional, community provider, or referral partner, we’re ready to talk with you about Individualized Skills and Socialization.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact EMS Care Group of Texas today to learn more about ISS services or begin a referral.
Submit an Online Referral Form Call: 469-904-1711
Building Skills. Increasing Independence. Strengthening Communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ISS stand for?
ISS stands for Individualized Skills and Socialization.
Where are EMS ISS services provided?
EMS Care Group of Texas currently provides off-site ISS services. Services are delivered in person and may occur in an individual’s home, school, community locations, or other appropriate community-based environments.
Is ISS individualized?
Yes. Services are based on the individual’s identified strengths, needs, goals, functional abilities, and applicable person-centered service plans.
Can EMS coordinate with other providers?
Yes. With appropriate authorization, EMS can coordinate with service coordinators, case managers, therapists, medical professionals, schools, behavioral health providers, MCO care coordinators, and other members of the individual’s support system.
Can ISS help with independent living skills?
ISS may address skills such as personal hygiene, communication, social interaction, stress management, money management, transportation, development of natural supports, and accessing community resources when those areas are consistent with the individual’s identified goals.
Do you provide ISS services to children and adults?
The EMS service model addresses services for both children and adults. For children and adolescents, services are developmentally appropriate and include involvement of a legal guardian as required.
How do I make a referral?
Contact EMS Care Group of Texas to discuss the individual’s needs and begin the referral process.
Submit an Online Referral Form Call: 469-904-1711
Office Address: 609 Strada Circle, Suite 121, Mansfield, TX 76063