1. 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

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

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

4. 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

5. HB336 – September 27, 2018

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. How we’re building the project…

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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

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