In making decisions about living arrangements, families must weigh the desires of the individual, his or her independent living skills, and available resources. There are several types of options:
Leisure Based or Dayhab Programs
Some families may prefer a program that places few demands on their family member. These programs are generally operated by a private vendor under contract with a government-supported agency such as the Department of Mental Retardation and are usually supported by Medicaid. Activities may include community outings, recreation, and life skills.
Community Living Options
Another area to consider for your child's adult life is where he will live. Even if he is living on the campus of a college or postsecondary program, you will need to plan where he will live when he is done with that program. The number of options is growing, particularly as people with disabilities are encouraged to take control of their lives and support services. The following are some of the options to consider.
Privately, Personally Owned Housing
Some individuals live in personally owned or controlled apartment or house. The Home of Your Own Program has helped to initiate and expand these opportunities. The importance of individuals owning or controlling (through lease agreements) their living environments cannot be overstated since so many decisions (roommates, furnishings, house routines) should be in the hands of the individual.
Vendor-Owned
Vendor owned homes or apartments are the most available and recognizable living environments. Over the years, we have called them group homes, community residences, congregate housing, etc. While many of these provide excellent opportunities for growth and deliver good services, some other entity (provider, management agent, state agency, etc.) makes many important decisions about the house and choosing the support people who work there. This limits the amount of input or control families and the people who live there have on their living situation.
Shared Living
Shared living is where two or more people live together in the house or apartment. Those who do not have a disability provide support for the person who does. For example, my agency supports a young man with Down syndrome who needs more support than he would receive living alone in an apartment. His family wanted more individualized support than a group home would be able to provide. Their solution was to find a roommate for him who is a student at the community college and provides the safety net that "Eric" needs to live in his own apartment. Eric's roommate is compensated for his time and support with a salary and reduced rent. Some families pay a direct salary to their child's roommate and others provide other compensation such as food or transportation.
Foster Homes
Some people do best in family units. For these individuals adult foster care may be a great opportunity. This model is sometimes hard for families to consider because we have been conditioned to think that when our children are ready to leave our home, it must be to go live in one of the options described earlier. Families are reluctant to embrace the possibility that the growth and independence of their child might be achieved within another family. I believe this is a missed opportunity for some individuals who would thrive in a family that is not their own. This does not mean that the person's own family is lacking. It means that most of us are not able to create the opportunities for risk and growth in our own family that our children need.
As with everything in our lives, the right option for your child and family is probably some combination of the above options. Do not be held back by anything you have seen or read. Create the vision that best fits your child, your family, and you.
Funding Options
First of all you need to know what sources of income you have at your disposal. The following are some categories for potential sources of funding to consider to identify income you have presently and areas where you might be able to find additional support:
Wages
- SSI(Supplemental Security Income)/SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) www.ssa.gov/about.htm
- DMR or other state agency support (including Voc. Rehab)
Family Contributions
- Section 8 or other housing subsidy
www.hud.gov/offices/pih/ programs/hcv/index.cfm
- Medicaid or other health insurance cms.hhs.gov/medicaid
- Medicaid Waiver Programs: Each state has a variety of waivers designed to promote community living. The waivers are specific to each state.
Each of these funding options is a complex and sometimes confusing maze to navigate that goes beyond the scope of this article. Be a good investigator and know what the limitations of each funding program are so you are not caught off-guard and lose that money or the benefits you are depending on. Ask other parents as well as those within the programs. Let their experience and knowledge guide you.
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