Adults with developmental disabilities have choices about where they want to live. Below is a short description of some choices available and the kinds of supports that may help make their choice be successful. Of course, there are as many variations of these options as there are people who choose them.

1. Living on Your Own
Living in Your Own Apartment or House
Supports that might be helpful in all of the independent-living situations below would include first and foremost--family, friends and neighbors. Other supports an individual might choose to investigate are: Employment, Vocational Rehabilitation services, Personal Care Services, HUD Section 8 housing subsidies, food stamps, and Social Security, and the PUD's Oregon Telephone Assistance Program to help pay telephone expenses.

Living in Your Own Apartment or House and Enrolled in Brokerage Services
The Brokerage Personal Agent will work with the individual to develop a Plan of Support. The Plan of Support seeks to maximize the quality of life, health and safety of the individual and is based on the individual's goals and strengths. The Personal Agent will help to arrange needed supports such as personal assistance, job coach, and transportation.

The authority for expending funds, hiring and firing staff, and directing their activities, lies with the individual. All of the other supports listed in the section above, especially family and friends, is often of major importance. The Oregon Administrative Rules for Brokerages begin at OAR 411-340-0010.

Living in Your Own Apartment or House and Enrolled in
a 24-Hour Supported Living Program
Supported Living Programs are licensed and regulated by the state Seniors and Peple with Disability office. The rules governing the operation of Supported Living Programs are similar to those for Group Homes. A residential service provider organization employs and manages the direct service staff. The individual, along with family members or others and the Supported Living staff make an annual Individual Support Plan. The Supported Living staff person helps the individual to carry out activities of daily living. The OARs for Supported Living Programs begin at 309-041-0550.

2. Group Living in Licensed Residences
Adult Foster Home Living
Foster homes are operated by a foster provider or foster home manager. The foster provider's family may live in the home. The home can serve no more than five residents.

Adult foster homes each have their own character and style, just as any family household does. Homes favored by residents are those that develop a feeling of partnership between all the residents of the household and respect for each other as adults. These homes encourage their residents to grow in skills and achievements, and share in enjoyment when residents make accomplishments. The OARs beginning at 411-360-0010 govern adult foster home operations.

Group Home (24-hour Residential Services)
Group Homes must meet standards set by the state Seniors and People with Disability office. Staff are hired by the provider agency. With shift changes a group home may have a house manager and seven or more direct service staff.

Group Homes typically serve five residents, with some serving three residents and a few older homes serving up to 10 residents. The staff participate in on-going training and must be able to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills. Documentation around health care, medications, daily menus, management of personal funds and activities to accomplish objectives set out in the Individual Support Plan is completed daily for each resident.

Extensive individualized planning is done with each individual, their family, the staff and the individual's DD Service Coordinator. Group Home staff provide skill training and opportunities for community involvement according to the individual support plan. The staff are often creative in finding ways to support resident's efforts to grow in their independence and capabilities. The Oregon Administrative Rule for 24-Hour Residential Services begins at: 411-325-0010.