Supported Community Living News

March AT Expo

2010-02-09T12:12:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to spread the word that there is the annual Assitive Technology Expo coming up in March!! It's March 18 from 9-4 in Spartanburg, SC. There will be tons of presenters, agencies, and organizations there so come check it out and get some new resources and information! We will be there as well, presenting, with some of the people we've worked with. You will get a firsthand account of how assistive technology has allowed them to live on their own! It's going to be a great time and if you can't stay all day, that's okay. Our presentation will be at 2 p.m. and its titled "On my own." Hope to see you there!!

See ya later...

2009-04-30T15:14:00.001-04:00

It’s so hard to believe that tomorrow is my last day. I can remember my first day like it was yesterday… wearing the most uncomfortable shoes because they were the only ones that matched and I wanted everything to flow right… only really it was like 8 months ago and I definitely still wear those shoes. Beauty is pain!
So maybe I should start by naming everything that I’ve learned and what I’ll take with me as I enter my next stage in life. First, I would just like to say that the most awarding thing about social work is watching all your hard work pan out. It is an amazing feeling knowing that you are helping another person and without your dedication, they may never be able to reach their ultimate dreams in life.
Another thing I’ve learned is patience. I mean, not that I’ve never had it before but I’ve learned that good things come to those who wait, even if it doesn’t always seem true or if it seemed like watching grass grow happened a lot faster… it’ll happen, just wait.
And lastly I’d just like to thank everyone I’ve met and/or worked with the past eight months. I want to thank everyone at the Supported Community Living Initiate for letting me be a part of this very rewarding experience and I’d also like to thank the people I’ve worked with and let them know that they’ve also helped me throughout the past year. They’ve helped me become a stronger person inside and helped make me understand the power of respect and determination.
So instead of saying goodbye I’m just gonna say, see ya later …because you only say goodbye if you’re not coming back. And I’ll be back.

First floor does not mean go up/down a couple steps first.

2009-04-15T14:14:00.002-04:00

So I’ve been working with this man, who will remain nameless, for the past 6 or so months now. He is very inspring and dedicated with high hopes of eventually moving into his own apartment which sounds like an easy process, right? You find an apartment you like and then you move in. However, for me, the process has been long, frustrating and at times seemed almost impossible.
Since the man I’m referring to receives government funding and resides in a wheelchair, finding an apartment that was available and accessible for him is quite rare. I can’t even begin to tell you how many apartment complexes I’ve called that do not accept Section 8 Vouchers nor do they have apartments available or available on the first floor. Oh, and when I say “first floor” I mean no steps. Zero. No steps going up and no steps going down. When you hear first floor, do you think it’s still okay to have a few steps going up before you arrive at the front door? Because it’s not okay and it’s very misleading and annoying.
Well, needless to say, this story does actually have a happy ending. We finally found an apartment that is not only on the first floor, or should I say “ground level” because that would apparently be more appropriate, but it’s completely handicap accessible! So all in all, it was worth it and very rewarding. Finally, another goal met and another dream come true.

Preparing for Adulthood: Housing Opportunities

2009-02-23T09:47:00.002-05:00

On March 27, 2009, The Supported Community Living Initiative will be presenting at the Family Connection Conference. Our session will discuss housing opportunities for children with disabilities who desire to move into the community and the importance of supports from family and friends. A parent, whose son has recently moved into a house of his own, will co-present with Kristi to share her experience as he and his family prepared him for living successfully in the community.

My future as a leader

2009-02-19T13:40:00.000-05:00

It’s now February and I’ve been interning at CDR for the past six months which can be either a good or a bad thing, depending on which way you look at it. It’s a good thing because I’m comfortable with my surroundings, have learned my way around the place, know everyone by name and where to find them and the people I’m working with know who I am as well as all the other circle members. Now you’re probably wondering, what could possibly be bad? Well, I’ll tell you. Since I am settled in here at the Supported Community Living Initiative, it’s about time for me to begin facillitating a circle meeting which means: be the leader aka speak while everyone’s staring at me and know what to respond with if asked any type of question.

First reaction: Yipes!

Second thought: I can totally do this.

It’s actually way easier than I had originally imagined. I honestly was the most nervous about not having enough to say but after the first like 14 seconds I could barely get a word in because everyone else just began discussing things after my opening statement which made the process go a lot smoother and completely removed all doubts for myself and my future as a leader.
The meeting turned out to be a success. It felt good to be in control.
Thanks guys for encouraging me and having faith in my leadership skills!

Paving the Way to the Future

2009-01-16T12:31:00.002-05:00

The Supported Community Living Intiative will be presenting at the South Carolina Assistive Technology Expo 2009 on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina.
Our session will be from 9:30 - 10:30am. We will offer information about assistive technology as it relates to housing and employment for individuals over the age of 18 with Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Intellectual disabilities, and Autism. For more information on the Expo 2009 visit http://www.sc.edu/scatp/expo/expo09.html.

A Dream Fulfilled

2008-12-12T14:03:00.002-05:00

Today is my last day interning for the Supported Community Living Initiative for the fall semester. For the past four months, I’ve learned an abundance of information and experienced more than I ever imagined. Meeting everyone involved in the program has given me even more motivation and encouragement to continue pursuing my own goal in becoming a social worker. Each individual involved has a dream of independence and recently I was fortunate enough to be a part of some one fulfilling that dream.
After years of living under his parents’ roof, a young man recently moved into his own home. With smiles and excitement, he and his family invited us to hold his next circle meeting at his new house. With a tremendous circle of support, this young man gained the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve his goal of independence. He now has his own game room and a big screen television to enjoy watching with his brother and has secured employment in order to earn an income to keep up with paying his own bills, in which he is thrilled to finally have!
It has been such a satisfying experience working with a group of individuals with extreme amounts of passion and devotion. It gives me an indescribable feeling seeing the joy in one’s face that has just overcame an incredible obstacle. I look forward to returning for the spring semester with the hopes of experiencing yet even more rewarding events.

PATH

2008-11-06T09:05:00.001-05:00

A Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) plan is a complete overview of what an individual has, may need, and desires in his/her life. It is completed during a meeting scheduled after a circle of support is obtained in order to visualize the future goals of an individual referred to the Supported Community Living Initiative. As I have learned about PATH months ago, I have witnessed my first one come together.
The only real way to imagine what one would want to see in their future is to draw it, either in the individual’s mind or on paper. During the PATH plan, the person seeking to move out dictates what their dreams are, whether it is to live in their own apartment or own their own home; where it may be located; possible employment and any other goal they wish to achieve. Each dream is drawn on a large poster in order to completely see how the future could look for them.
After planning the ultimate goals, each goal is broken down by one year, six months, three months and one month. Each member of the circle is given a task and asked to complete it by the next month. A circle meeting is held each month to determine the progress being made to fulfill the individual’s dreams. Eventually, by the time one year approaches, the individual should be close to or already residing in their new home.
Recently, an individual who has already completed his PATH and moved into his own apartment attended a circle meeting for a newcomer who is beginning the process. It was a completely different experience to have been through the ordeal and be able to describe the method to someone who is unaware of what to expect. The presence of this individual was extremely helpful in allowing the newcomer to create a visual from actual experiences. Hopefully, the dreams and aspirations of others are positively influenced by realizing they can reach any goal they desire by believing in themselves.

Independence

2008-10-08T16:28:00.003-04:00

Many individuals currently receiving services from the Supported Community Living Initiative seem to value their involvement with it and have grown into more positive people. After developing a circle of support, each person gains more trust and understanding of others desire to help them and they feel even more motivated to succeed. Eventually, the process evolves where they move into a new home and possibly find employment in a field of their choice.
One particular person whom I’ve met over the past couple weeks couldn’t be happier living on his own. He compares group home living with living in his own apartment by the difference in his meals. While living in a group home, a meal was prepared each day according to the menu. Now that he lives in his own apartment, he is taken grocery shopping and able to choose his food each day.
Another individual talks about his job managing his own money. While having one’s own apartment comes with many positives, there are a few other things which add to living on your own such as paying bills. It may be tiring holding a regular job but in order to support yourself it needs to be done.
The Supported Community Living Initiative not only helps people find alternative housing that best fits their wants and needs but it also prepares individuals for a life on their own. It reminds people of their importance in this world and encourages them to be all they can be.

Building Excellence: "Tools for Success"

2008-09-08T15:30:00.005-04:00

Start Date: 11/17/2008 @ 10:00 am
End Date: 11/19/2008 @ 12:00 pm

The Charles Lea Center is hosting a conference for all employees working directly with people with disabilities and special needs! The cost is just $50 per person for three days of training.

Topics to be covered include:
Autism training,
Active treatment
Effective communication
Dual diagnosis
Self advocacy
Jig & adaptive devices
Supervisory training
Person-centered planning
Dealing with aging
Job set-up
Rehabilitation engineering
Team bulding
Behavior management and much more!

My First Experiences

2008-08-29T19:00:00.002-04:00

As an out of state resident and a full time student filled with many dreams and ambitions, I find myself relating, in a way, to many individuals who are currently being provided with services from the Supported Community Living Initiative. I moved to South Carolina just over a month ago and was very confused and apprehensive yet extremely anxious about the new and exciting discoveries I was about to pursue. Once meeting everyone at the Center for Disability Resources, I then met a few of the individuals who have already moved into their own home, and I have never felt more welcome in this new environment.
Each individual choosing to become a part of the Supported Community Living Initiative has a specific goal. Their goal is to gain enough independence to live completely on their own whether it’s buying/renting a house or renting an apartment. Each person has overcome many obstacles to get where they are today and should be proud of their accomplishments. Each person has a strong heart and mind and is determined to chase what they really want in life, which is to be accepted.
As far as me relating to them, I feel as though I have finally chosen something in life that fits my personality. My dream is to do something or be a part of something tremendously rewarding. I feel very blessed to be a part of the Supported Community Living Initiative for that very reason. I already see myself as being independent but sometimes feel lost, especially living 800 miles from home. I have always wanted to move and live on my own and am beginning to feel at home in South Carolina, interning at the CDR. I am beginning to feel accepted.

NEW Supported Community Living Website!

2008-08-22T18:16:00.001-04:00

Click on the URL below:

http://uscm.med.sc.edu/supported_living/index.htm

2008-08-22T18:03:00.000-04:00

SCL Training Opportunities

2008-08-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

Are you a person with a disability interested in moving into your own home?
Are you a service provider wanting to support people in new and creative ways?

The Supported Community Living Initiative through University of South Carolina's Center for Disability Resources is now offering training and technical assistance to people interested in providing innovative supports.

Contact Kristi Hartwell at (803) 935-5947 or via email Kristi.Hartwell@uscmed.sc.edu for more information.