There is No Place like (a Real) Home

A Training Seminar on Supported Living
Sponsored by the Georgia Microboards Association and
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilites

With Guest Speakers

Connie Lyle O’Brien, Responsive Systems Associates, Lithonia, Georgia
Peter Leidy, Options in Community Living, Madison, Wisconsin

Saturday, June 5
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration will begin at 8:30 AM – Lunch is included

Old Peachtree Presbyterian Church
1756 Old Peachtree Road
Duluth, GA 30097

This workshop is a rare opportunity to learn from two supported living organizations that provide support for people who live in their own homes and participate in community life. Although concepts like supported living, self-determination, and inclusion are now widespread, most adults with developmental disabilities continue to experience segregation and live under the control of others. These two agencies have over 35 years of combined experience in person-centered support and are internationally known for their innovative work.

Some of the questions/issues addressed in this workshop will be:

• What does individualized support look like?
• How do we get started—and how do we keep going?
• What does it take for people to have community membership and control of their lives?
• How do we do this in a system of over-regulation?
• How do we honor, support, and retain our support staff?
• How do we build a culture of respect?
• Examples of agency funding and individual budgets.
• What are the top 10 lessons learned about supported living?

Connie O’Brien and Peter Leidy will discuss their organizations’ journeys to fulfill the dream of community living for people with disabilities. The workshop will focus on the way we think about people, their needs and their relationships to the communities where they live. How do we describe current experiences and desirable futures for people with disabilities? Presenters will share personal stories about the successes and challenges people with disabilities, their families, and the staff who support them experience.

They will give participants a clear idea of both the hard work and rich rewards in creating a change in the typical pattern of support that is available. Topics include the how-to’s of day to day operation, funding issues, building a great staff, defining organizational structures, and developing lasting partnerships with families. Both agencies will describe the work of supported living as a continuous learning process which evolves as people’s lives change.

Come listen to these stories and begin one of your own. Participants can expect fast paced presentations of information, lively discussion, time for questions and answers, examples of successes and failures, and even a song or two! All in all, this will be a thought-provoking, stimulating, and fun-filled day.

Who should attend?

Both of these organizations began with a small group of committed people who dreamed big and were willing to work hard. If you fit that description, are looking for some ideas about how to get started, or need rejuvenation to continue what you’re already doing, this is for you. Whether you are a self-advocate, family member, concerned citizen, bureaucrat, direct support staff or the director of an organization, we believe you’ll find this training experience worthwhile.


CONNIE LYLE O’BRIEN

Connie is a native Georgian who has spent the last thirty years learning about what it takes for people with disabilities, their families, friends and allies to better support people with disabilities to live, work, learn, worship and have fun as full participants in community life. This learning has and continues to occur in many places across the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, and Spain. Her best teachers have been people with disabilities, their parents and friends, and direct service providers. This journey continues to bring new learning. We always underestimate what people with disabilities can learn, do, and contribute given adequate support. The journey never ends.

PETER LEIDY

Peter has been learning from people with disabilities since 1983. For almost 20 years he worked for Options in Community Living, a supported living agency in Madison, Wisconsin. His roles included direct support, service coordination, recruiting and supporting direct service staff, community building, and administrative responsibilities. Peter consults with individuals, families, organizations, counties, and states in areas such as supported living, self-determination, organizational development, building community relationships, and supporting and valuing direct support staff.