Words you need to understand ...

• Circle of Support.
  A circle of support is a group of people who help you reach your personal goals. This is your care team of family, friends and professionals I call my Braided Cord. Sometimes I need them to help me and many times I don't.
  
  
• Goals are things you hope for in your life.
  Goals can be made in very small steps so they are possible. Make a chart of your goal so you can see your progress. Also you can change goals if you decide it is not what you want any longer.
  
  
• Guardianship.
  Laws consider a parent your natural guardian until you reach the age of 18. Once you reach 18 years old, a parent or sibling (or other potential guardian) must petition (write on a form) the court to grant guardianship status over an adult with disabilities.
  
  
• Person-Centered Planning.
  Service options that are based on your choices, strengths, and needs. If person-centered planning is going to work for you, “YOU” need to be really honest with yourself and the people who are helping you with your plan.
  
  
• Rep Payee.
  This person helps you pay your bills and manages your money so you do not get into money trouble.
  
  
• Residential Placement.
  There are many kinds of places to live happily as an adult - some are with support of other adults (your family, adult foster care, group homes), some are peer supported (lodges), some are more or less independent (apartment or home with roommate or other caregiver).
  • Be truthful with yourself about your abilities. It is better to start with support and have a life action plan to grow to the next step. If you live with what you think are huge supports that does not mean you have to remain there forever.
  • Visit different kinds of residential opportunities to discover what fits your needs.

Here are some explanations of living styles:

• Supervised group home
  Three to six individuals live together in an agency-run home where trained staff assists you do the things you need help. There are usually organized activities outside the home every day.
• Adult foster care
  Live with a family other than your primary family to help you learn living skills, medication management and budgeting your finances. There are adult family and corporate adult foster care homes.
• Supervised apartment living
  This provides you some assistance in a larger apartment complex with other persons who need supports. Usually, there is a service provider on site to respond to emergencies and offer limited assistance based on your needs.
• Supported living
  You live in your own place or in your home. Needed services and supports are brought to the home instead of the person going out for them.
• Independent living
  This is an apartment or house rented or owned by you. Outside training and support can still be available and provided to help you learn to become independent.

• Self-Advocacy.
  Parents or family are most often your best advocate. However, it is very important for adults who are able to learn how to advocate and become self-advocates. Learning to speak up for yourself is a process.
  
  
• Self-Determination.
  Your right to make choices about your life, to have the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else, and to speak and advocate for yourself.

  Most people are not ready for this WHEN YOU TURN 18.
  It takes hard work and it means you have to:
  
  1. Know more about yourself.

  a. What are your strengths?
  b. How you can use your strengths to help you?
  c. What are your challenges?
  d. Who can help you?
  e. How can you get help to learn to overcome or to manage them.

  2. How does your brain work?

  a. Can you read? When? How much?
  b. Can you write? When? How much?
  c. Can you fill out forms? When? How?
  d. Are you brave enough to say you do not understand?

  3. What is your behavior when you are:

  a. Angry
  b. Rushed
  c. Confused
  d. Worried
  e. Hurt

  4. Dreams and goals you are working toward.

  5. Have choices in your life areas

• Social Security Benefits or SSI is a USA program that pays monthly checks to the elderly and people with disabilities who don’t own much or who don’t have much income. If you get SSI, you usually get food stamps and Medicaid, too.
  • Medicaid helps pay doctor and hospital bills.
  • Ticket to Work Program You can also have a small job and that makes life more valuable because it gives you a purpose. And by working you contribute to the whole community.
  • Food stamps help pay for some of your food bills

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