Session Two: Circles of Support May 11, 2016 Housing Workgroups Session Two: Circles of Support May 11, 2016

Before the Session Begins Please mute phones if you’re attending in person Remember that this session will be recorded and later made public, so any statements you make may be captured on that recording

Introductions Dennis Brown, facilitator Jeannie Cummins, Regional Housing Specialist, DBHDS Lucy Beadnell, Director of Advocacy, The Arc of Northern Virginia

Today’s Outline Defining Circles of Support Building a Circle of Support Using a Circle related to housing Making a circle model work for you- tools and tips

What is a Circle of Support? A group of people who work together, formally or informally to foster a life of success alongside a person with a disability It includes family, friends, community members, and providers Anyone can build a circle Circles are designed to foster independence and be enduring

How would you invite someone to join a Circle of Support for your family member? What would you say to them?

Start to Imagine Your Circle

Filling in Your Circle Include anyone who is involved in the life of the person with a disability Try to balance the parts of the circle Think about who was involved in the past and add them, too Try to add same aged peers Don’t be bogged down if the first run isn’t perfect This is a “living” document Think of adding people with unique gifts and talents to match the unique talents and gifts of the individual Everyone has something to contribute

Identify Gaps People with disabilities often have an abundance of people paid to be in their lives, but may have gaps in the other areas. Share your draft with family and friends. They may remember people you’ve forgotten. Think about the areas where you’ll need help immediately and long-term. Who do you know with expertise in those areas? You can always consider geriatric care managers or hired advocates if needed. Think about what you need now, what you may need in 5 years, 10 years, and beyond. Are those areas covered? How will you know when you get there and who to bring on board in the circle?

What Could a Circle Do to Help Someone Move? Search for housing options (especially if you have a realtor in your circle) Visit potential housing options Pull together needed housing items (e.g., furniture, household supplies, etc.) Plan and execute “the move” Serve as back up if a caregiver can’t make it during the transition process Help individual learn to report repairs to the landlord Orient the individual to their new home and community (where to go shopping, the rec center, how to take the bus, etc.)

What Could a Circle Do to Keep Someone in Their Home? Help manage communications with the landlord Provide drop in visits to check on services Help with organizing and paying bills Serve as back up if a caregiver can’t make it Help clean up or organize on a routine basis Help build community connections (e.g., introduce the individual to the local barristas at the coffee shop, connect him to the softball league, enroll in an art class, etc.) Help individual learn to report repairs to the landlord Take individual grocery shopping Mow the lawn, clean the gutters, water the plants, etc.

Building Your Social Network and Your Circle Individual loves animals Walks a neighbors dog Neighbor gets to know him and join the circle and provides drop in visits and light housework Individual loves Star Wars Individual joins Star Wars Meet Up Group People in the group become friends and one joins the circle to help with social events Mom loves to garden Joins local garden club and makes friends Friends from the club join the circle to help with lawn work

It’s time to Ask! Ask the people you’ve identified to join. You will be surprised for the better. The beauty of the Circle of Support is that everyone is taking a small piece of the pie, not carrying the load alone. If they can’t help, ask them to help you brainstorm on other options. Do they know a lawyer, landscaper, caring person, etc. who may be willing to lend some time or expertise? Be ready to clearly articulate what you want in terms of skills and time commitment

Get Started with Meetings Make sure at least the initial meeting is attended by everyone and is in person if at all possible Let people get to know each other. Define the role of the facilitator. Share your vision Talk about a schedule and method for future meetings Leverage skype, conference calls, & emails

Meeting Two Re-introduce everyone and share thoughts on the idea that everyone has had since the last meeting. Draft rules, goals, or bylaws. Clearly define participation and expectations. Outline a plan for the future. List at least three goals for the next year and start dividing the work. Confirm upcoming meeting dates and times.

Subsequent Meetings Examine progress towards the planned goals. Reassess, problem solve, and redesign goals as needed. Talk about what you’ve learned. Reiterate your vision and long term purpose. Set new goals.

Helpful Tools and Tips TOOLS: Use Community Tyze- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMxHIWKa81o Hired advocates like The Arc’s beneficiary advocate or geriatric care managers See handouts on circles TIPS: Start early and small Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good

Resources for Learning More Community Drive- http://www.communitydrive.org/ Circles Network- http://www.circlesnetwork.org.uk/ Virginia Microboard Association- http://virginiamicroboards.org/ Indiana Resource Center for Autism- http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/?pageId=411 Plan Institute for Caring Citizenship www.institute.plan.ca Inclusion Press http://inclusion.com/circlesoffriends.html Family Service Toronto http://www.familyservicetoronto.org/programs/options.html Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/portals/0/medical/develop mentaldisabilities/training/sbt2005/moduleC/c1-1.html

Homework for Next Time- Self Assessment and Supports Re-read the self-assessment tool (page 8-9) you already answered to see if you’re getting a picture of what supports will be provided by which members of your circle Write down some past experiences you have had with paid and unpaid caregivers. What worked, what didn’t, and what did you learn? Review The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Consumer Directed Attendant Guide Please bring the homework materials back with you on May 25, 2016