Rick Benjamin, Hope Community Resources/Anne Applegate, GCDSE Practical Experiences Gained from a Supported Decision-Making Pilot Project November 16, 2018 Rick Benjamin, Hope Community Resources/Anne Applegate, GCDSE ASAGA Panel

Research ACLU ASAN Supported Decision-Making.org WINGS ASAGA OPA Texas Delaware Nonotuck pilot project

A Partnership November 2017 Hope Community Resources Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education Disability Law Center Independent researcher?

Three Main Profiles Young people approaching age 18 Adults with guardians who really don’t need that much support Older people approaching age-related issues of capacity

HB336 – September 27, 2018

Another training at Hope July 26, 2018 Presented by Anne Applegate To raise awareness and understanding To get Hope staff thinking about candidates for the pilot project To get Hope staff to help with the pilot project Original video vignettes

Steps in Hope’s part of the process  1. Do initial interview with decision-maker. A. Content: background information, long term goals, how do decisions get made now, what methods decision-maker wants to keep, methods decision-maker wants to change, who are supporters/who does decision-maker want to have as supporters? B. Method: person-centered planning techniques, but creating person-directed support C. Documents: Use existing tools, modify or create our own, make good notes.

Steps in Hope’s part of the process 2. Contact potential supporters. 3. Meet with potential supporters (individually or together). - Review obligations, give materials, confirm commitment, understand “support and not supplant.” 4. Do final meeting with decision-maker and supporters. 5. Write a “My Choices” narrative for legal services provider (DLC). 6. Flag file for 6-month follow-up.

How we’re building the project… https://youtu.be/S_dgWl83cTM

Where we’re finding candidates Child and youth services Supported employment Mental health services Adult assisted living homes

Where we are so far Gathering candidate names Doing initial interviews with decision-makers Beginning to meet with potential supporters Keeping data on a spread sheet

What we’re learning so far Supported decision-making is still new, to staff and decision-makers. Currently no Hope staff person is dedicated to supported decision-making exclusively. Many people do not have many “natural supporters” they trust – only paid staff. Sometimes now isn’t the right time for supported decision-making.

We are really just beginning We are really just beginning. It is not too late to join the pilot project!

rbenjamin@hopealaska.org 433-4707 Practical Experiences Gained from a Supported Decision-Making Pilot Project rbenjamin@hopealaska.org 433-4707