Monday, February 23, 2009
Preparing for Adulthood: Housing Opportunities
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.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
My future as a leader
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!
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!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Paving the Way to the Future
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.
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.
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Dream Fulfilled
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.
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.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
PATH
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Independence
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.
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.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Building Excellence: "Tools for Success"
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!
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!
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