Pennsylvania Lifesharing Families

P E N N S Y L V A N I A Lifesharing

Through Family Living

Lifesharing, also known as “Family Living” (55 Pa Code §6500), officially began in Pennsylvania in 1982 with a family in Berks County who wanted to support their friend in their own home.

To reflect the diversity of relationships in these living arrangements, “Family Living” became best known as Lifesharing to better describe the lifestyles and choices of the people being supported.

Lifesharing through Family Living means living with and sharing life experiences with supportive persons who form a caring household. Lifesharing is recognized as being both a close personal relationship and a place to live. Lifesharing offers an individual with a disability the opportunity to live with a family or individual who will support his/her desires and needs for an everyday life.

Individuals supported in Lifesharing include children and adults with a wide variety of needs and challenges. Lifesharing enhances and enriches the lives of individuals by offering another residential living option.

“Having a place to go is HOME;

Having someone to love is FAMILY;

Having both is a WONDERFUL LIFE.”

Lifesharing

In Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lifesharing?

Lifesharing is living with and sharing life experiences with supportive persons who form a caring household. The Mission of Lifesharing is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by matching those who choose this lifestyle with families or individuals who choose to open their homes and hearts.

How many people can Lifeshare in one home?

Lifesharing can be done with one or two people with disabilities in a single home. Individual needs and preferences are considered in making the decision to become involved in Lifesharing.

How can I get additional information on Lifesharing?

• Contact your local County Mental Health/Mental Retardation office.

• Contact a local provider agency that offers Lifesharing through Family Living or use information on the back of this brochure.

• For additional information visit these websites:

• www.dpw.state.pa.us

• www.pennsylvanialifesharing.org

– this website includes a message board, updated information, and the Subcommittee Meeting Minutes.

You may reach the message board directly at www.pennsylvanialifesharing.org/forum/

• www.omrconsulting.org

What is expected of a Lifesharing Family?

The family or individual must comply with the policies, procedures, and regulations of the provider agency, the county and the state, which includes providing a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment in which the person has choice.

Who supports Lifesharing families?

• Regional Lifesharing Subcommittees

• Provider Agencies

• County MH/MR Programs

What are the benefits of being a Lifesharer?

Lifesharers experience many benefits in the Lifesharing program – the unique gifts and talents the individual brings to the relationship; a new friend and companion; support of the Lifesharing community; a generous stipend; and the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Respite and training are also available.

What are the benefits for the individual with a disability to be a part of Lifesharing?

• To be a member of a caring household

• Friendship and trust in people who care about you

• Continuity in one’s life

• Increased involvement in community life

What are some of the qualifications/ requirements of a Lifesharer?

• Home Study/Intake Process

• A period of three to six months is recommended to facilitate the development of relationships. However, there is no fixed timeframe – this is a natural process based on the person and his/her choices.

• Criminal Background Check

• Child Abuse Clearance

• Training

• Time and space to support a Lifesharing relationship

Lifesharing

Subcommittee

State Subcommittee

The Mission of the State Subcommittee is to promote, support, and embrace the concept of Lifesharing and the philosophy of self-determination. Throughout the years, the Subcommittee has played an important role in the growth of Lifesharing.

The State Subcommittee meets the third Thursday of every other month beginning in February,at historic Warm Springs Lodge in Landisburg, Pennsylvania. Support and training opportunities are provided the Wednesday before each meeting. Overnight accommodations are available.

People from all regions of the state participate on the subcommittee, including Lifesharing families, individuals with disabilities, provider agencies, Office of Mental Retardation (OMR) staff, county staff, and Supports Coordinators.

Regional Subcommittees

The four regions in Pennsylvania have their own Subcommittees, which offer:

* Mentorship

* Networking

* Technical Assistance

* Licensing Supports

* Recruitment Strategies

* Training (based on individual needs)

The Regional Subcommittees meet every other month starting in January. These meetings provide wonderful opportunities for provider agencies and Lifesharing families to organize events and to share information and experiences.

Please contact the following Regional subcommittee members with any questions you may have.

Central

Sarah Shaw - Skills of Central PA

814.238.3245 • sshaw@corp.skillsgroup.org

James Malesky - Keystone Residence

717.541.8322 • jmalesky@kss.org

Southeast

Julia Goble - SPIN, Inc.

215.698.3072 • jgoble@spininc.org

Jim Boyle

610.544.7813 • jboyle@chs-adphila.org

Northeast