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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. Start to Imagine Your Circle

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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.)

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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, & s

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Helpful Tools and Tips TOOLS:
Use Community Tyze-
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

18. Resources for Learning More
Community Drive-
Circles Network-
Virginia Microboard Association-
Indiana Resource Center for Autism-
Plan Institute for Caring Citizenship
Inclusion Press
Family Service Toronto
Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare mentaldisabilities/training/sbt2005/moduleC/c1-1.html

19. 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