What is In the Company of Friends (ICOF)! In The Company of Friends (ICOF) is a program funded by Manitoba Family Services and Housing.  Here are the things that are unique about this program option in Manitoba:

 

			In this program you will receive money directly from the Department of Family Services and Housing to meet all your daily living and staff needs.  This money comes in the form of a monthly cheque.  With the help of your Support Network, you will make decisions around how to spend your money, how to hire and supervise your staff, the kind of activities you will be involved in each day, etc.  This is called individualized funding.
			Every ICOF participant has a Support Network.  It is a requirement for approval.  Support Networks are responsible to help you make your own choices and decisions and plan to live your life the way YOU want to.  Support Networks are made up of people that you choose.
			The program philosophy is based upon a foundation of relationships.  We all require people in our lives to be friends, companions, and sometimes helpers and advisers.  ICOF works to empower you, the participant, to make your own decisions or minimally to participate in the decision making process.

 

	This unique criteria combination forms the foundation of ICOF.