HOW TO START A LIFESHARING PROGRAM A COMPREHENSIVE

HOW TO START A LIFESHARING PROGRAM A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE Lifesharing Conference October 19 & 20, 2015 Session 1

LIFESHARING DEFINED § Lifesharing involves people with intellectual disabilities living and sharing life experiences with supportive persons who form a caring household. Lifesharing is recognized as being both a close personal relationship and a place to live. Lifesharing enhances and enriches the lives of individuals and families by offering an alternative to traditional residential living.

A HISTORY OF LIFESHARING IN PENNSYLVANIA § § 1982 -OMR/ODP had a concept Threshold of Berks County 1997 State Lifesharing Subcommittee/PA Lifesharing Coalition

IS IT LIFESHARING OR FAMILY LIVING? § Over the years, there has been a great deal of discussion about the name “family living. ” Some felt that the name was not supportive of birth families, in that it is not an attempt to replace birth families. In an attempt to describe the supports we provide, the State Subcommittee voted to change the name to Lifesharing through Family Living. As time passes, we find ourselves using the name Lifesharing.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A LIFESHARING FAMILY? § What would it take for you to be a lifesharing family?

VALUES AND CULTURE § Relationships § Think about it--where there are close relationships there is development! § Respect § Lifesharing is not a community home!

VALUES AND CULTURE § Person Centered

HOW DO PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM LIFESHARING? § § § Stability & Consistency Growth Relationships Sense of Self Family

HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT THESE IDEAS? Make sure everyone involved understands the idea of lifesharing

LIFESHARING SERVICE § Certification Licensing System (CLS) § Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) § Promise § Contract and Monitoring § License

RESPONSIBILITIES/EXPECTATIONS Individual § § Be aware of household expectations Respect other family members’ space and belongings Participate in annual fire safety training Participate in their team process at meetings and medical appointments to the extent of their ability. § Pay room and board and other personal expenses to the best of their ability.

RESPONSIBILITIES Lifesharing Family § Respect the individual § Help the individual become connected to the family and their community § Help individual maintain contact with birth family § Meet the individual’s basic needs of health, welfare and safety § Meet requirements of their contract § Meet all documentation requirements § Provide access to home and individual at agency, county, or state request.

EXPECTATIONS Lifesharing Specialist § Home Visits-provide support, answer questions § Assure that supervision requirements are understood and met by the family § Assure that individual is attending all medical and social service appointments

EXPECTATIONS Lifesharing Specialist, cont. § Assure individual is attending job, school or other non -residential program as identified in the individual’s ISP. § Assure that lifesharing family is fulfilling their responsibility to provide services, and receiving support, technical assistance and training.

EXPECTATIONS Lifesharing Specialist, cont. Assure that lifesharing family meets qualification criteria, including background checks, child abuse clearances and training. Assure that services written into the ISP are being provided.

RESPONSIBILITIES Agency § Balancing the logistics and the philosophy § Providing an on-call system with someone available 24/7 § Providing training § Providing support to the family

Responsibilities Supports Coordination Home visits as required by their regulation Assure services authorized in the ISP are being offered Check-in with the individual to assure their satisfaction with their living situation Be a resource when needed

QUESTIONS