Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 Great idea, Pat. I would be interested in doing something similar in the northern suburbs. I wouldn't want to be more than 15-20 minutes (maximum) from my son. He is 22 and SO ready to move out! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Thoughts on Housing I have been reading all the posts about residential opportunities for our adult children and would like to propose another alternative to " calling legislators " to fund housing when money is scarce (or misspent!). I returned to the States 20 months ago, and without services or support when I was in crisis, I figured I had to create my own solutions instead of waiting for the State to help out. When my grandparents immigrated to the U.S.in the late 1800's, they helped each other out by forming their own communities of support. I think that is what is needed now. We don't have years to wait for state and federal budgets to fund our needs. By all means lobby the legislature and increase awareness in the media, but use our energy with as much vigor in creating new residential models, too. Fox and her friend, Delaney, have already pitched an idea to Gov. Jon Corzine that would unite parents in common geographic areas to pool their state funds to purchase and set up homes for their disabled loved ones. They would then arrange for a flow of existing state and federal entitlements to help pay the ongoing operating costs. When I read this in the article from New Jersey, I knew others were thinking similar thoughts. My father passed away last year, and I am purchasing the family home with the idea that my son may one day live there with one or two other guys. I recently was awarded home based services, and what if two other families could contribute their home based services as well. Could we create our own community home for our children? There are many good deals with foreclosures now, why not pool our resources and do ourselves what the state is unwilling or unable to do? I haven't worked out all the details yet, but I'm not willing to wait for politicians to act. My house is in the Oak Park area if any parents are interested in contacting me about creating a home for our sons. There are 3 bedrooms, and I live about 10 minutes away. If we all shared our talents and time, we could provide our children with a quality of life and independence that they wouldn't get in a larger CILA. And we wouldn't be caretaking 24/7 ourselves. I'm interested in brainstorming with any others about this issue. Please contact me offline. And also consider attending the residential symposium at the Autism One conference next May, where I hope to get even more ideas on changing the system ourselves. There are too many suffering while we wait on endless waiting lists. Withers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 We've been planning a similar arrangement for our son, but a note of caution; there are a lot of details to consider. Just a few examples: You may want an independent coordinator to ensure no one slacks off or takes over. Places like Anixter, etc. say they can provide that oversight for modest cost. A social worker may do this part-time as a second job. Insurance issues - who's responsible for the safety of residents and how is that covered. What if things don't work out. Who decides who leaves and who stays. These are just a few of the difficult ones, but don't let that discourage you. On suggestion: there is a group that meets at the Schaumburg library that has been working on this approach for a few years. They have already purchased and set up one small apartment building and are working on more, including indivivual shared houses, I think. Someone here may know who to contact; I know anyone is invited to join or just sit in and learn. > > I have been reading all the posts about residential opportunities for > our adult children and would like to propose another alternative > to " calling legislators " to fund housing when money is scarce (or > misspent!). I returned to the States 20 months ago, and without > services or support when I was in crisis, I figured I had to create > my own solutions instead of waiting for the State to help out. When > my grandparents immigrated to the U.S.in the late 1800's, they helped > each other out by forming their own communities of support. I think > that is what is needed now. We don't have years to wait for state > and federal budgets to fund our needs. By all means lobby the > legislature and increase awareness in the media, but use our energy > with as much vigor in creating new residential models, too. > > Fox and her friend, Delaney, have already pitched an idea to > > Gov. Jon Corzine that would unite parents in common geographic areas > > to pool their state funds to purchase and set up homes for their > > disabled loved ones. They would then arrange for a flow of existing > > state and federal entitlements to help pay the ongoing operating > > costs. > > When I read this in the article from New Jersey, I knew others were > thinking similar thoughts. My father passed away last year, and I am > purchasing the family home with the idea that my son may one day > live there with one or two other guys. I recently was awarded home > based services, and what if two other families could contribute their > home based services as well. Could we create our own community home > for our children? There are many good deals with foreclosures now, > why not pool our resources and do ourselves what the state is > unwilling or unable to do? I haven't worked out all the details yet, > but I'm not willing to wait for politicians to act. My house is in > the Oak Park area if any parents are interested in contacting me > about creating a home for our sons. There are 3 bedrooms, and I live > about 10 minutes away. If we all shared our talents and time, we > could provide our children with a quality of life and independence > that they wouldn't get in a larger CILA. And we wouldn't be > caretaking 24/7 ourselves. I'm interested in brainstorming with any > others about this issue. Please contact me offline. And also > consider attending the residential symposium at the Autism One > conference next May, where I hope to get even more ideas on changing > the system ourselves. There are too many suffering while we wait on > endless waiting lists. > > Withers > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 One big challenge is the State of IL's reluctance to fund someone for any " non-traditional " residential setting (by which they mean pretty much anything other than agency operated ICF/DD and CILA with shift staff). We have been pursuing the route to expand the spectrum of models for 8 years. Come join us!! " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644 Office:708-795-1273 Home: 773-287-8249 From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...> Subject: Re: Thoughts on Housing IPADDUnite Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 6:59 AM Great idea, Pat. I would be interested in doing something similar in the northern suburbs. I wouldn't want to be more than 15-20 minutes (maximum) from my son. He is 22 and SO ready to move out! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskbsbcglobal (DOT) net Thoughts on Housing I have been reading all the posts about residential opportunities for our adult children and would like to propose another alternative to " calling legislators " to fund housing when money is scarce (or misspent!). I returned to the States 20 months ago, and without services or support when I was in crisis, I figured I had to create my own solutions instead of waiting for the State to help out. When my grandparents immigrated to the U.S.in the late 1800's, they helped each other out by forming their own communities of support. I think that is what is needed now. We don't have years to wait for state and federal budgets to fund our needs. By all means lobby the legislature and increase awareness in the media, but use our energy with as much vigor in creating new residential models, too. Fox and her friend, Delaney, have already pitched an idea to Gov. Jon Corzine that would unite parents in common geographic areas to pool their state funds to purchase and set up homes for their disabled loved ones. They would then arrange for a flow of existing state and federal entitlements to help pay the ongoing operating costs. When I read this in the article from New Jersey, I knew others were thinking similar thoughts. My father passed away last year, and I am purchasing the family home with the idea that my son may one day live there with one or two other guys. I recently was awarded home based services, and what if two other families could contribute their home based services as well. Could we create our own community home for our children? There are many good deals with foreclosures now, why not pool our resources and do ourselves what the state is unwilling or unable to do? I haven't worked out all the details yet, but I'm not willing to wait for politicians to act. My house is in the Oak Park area if any parents are interested in contacting me about creating a home for our sons. There are 3 bedrooms, and I live about 10 minutes away. If we all shared our talents and time, we could provide our children with a quality of life and independence that they wouldn't get in a larger CILA. And we wouldn't be caretaking 24/7 ourselves. I'm interested in brainstorming with any others about this issue. Please contact me offline. And also consider attending the residential symposium at the Autism One conference next May, where I hope to get even more ideas on changing the system ourselves. There are too many suffering while we wait on endless waiting lists. Withers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 Thanks, Kathy, for sharing this resource. I will definitely see if I can attend a meeting to learn more about creating this for my son. Also, I will stop by L'Arche, andra, to discover what your group is doing. I really believe it is our responsibility to make things happen, with or without government leadership. Withers > > The group in Schaumburg is called: CIF Schaumburg. They can be reached at > _www.cifschaumburg.com_ (http://www.cifschaumburg.com) or > _cifinfo@..._ (mailto:cifinfo@...) (email address). They are an > independent not-for-profit group working on affordable housing. We have been > working with them for a couple of years and feel that they have a great start > on a great concept. I would be happy to talk to anyone who needs more > information although contacting them would be a good start. > > Kathy Lipke > _klipke@..._ (mailto:klipke@...) > > **************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and > favorite sites in one place. Try it now. > (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new- dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 I think the one and only alternative model that eliminates a lot of the prescriptive state rules and regulations at the moment is the foster care model...I am hopeful that in a new waiver, individual support options will be added so that this notion of " models " morphs in to a more progressive vision. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Thoughts on Housing I have been reading all the posts about residential opportunities for our adult children and would like to propose another alternative to " calling legislators " to fund housing when money is scarce (or misspent!). I returned to the States 20 months ago, and without services or support when I was in crisis, I figured I had to create my own solutions instead of waiting for the State to help out. When my grandparents immigrated to the U.S.in the late 1800's, they helped each other out by forming their own communities of support. I think that is what is needed now. We don't have years to wait for state and federal budgets to fund our needs. By all means lobby the legislature and increase awareness in the media, but use our energy with as much vigor in creating new residential models, too. Fox and her friend, Delaney, have already pitched an idea to Gov. Jon Corzine that would unite parents in common geographic areas to pool their state funds to purchase and set up homes for their disabled loved ones. They would then arrange for a flow of existing state and federal entitlements to help pay the ongoing operating costs. When I read this in the article from New Jersey, I knew others were thinking similar thoughts. My father passed away last year, and I am purchasing the family home with the idea that my son may one day live there with one or two other guys. I recently was awarded home based services, and what if two other families could contribute their home based services as well. Could we create our own community home for our children? There are many good deals with foreclosures now, why not pool our resources and do ourselves what the state is unwilling or unable to do? I haven't worked out all the details yet, but I'm not willing to wait for politicians to act. My house is in the Oak Park area if any parents are interested in contacting me about creating a home for our sons. There are 3 bedrooms, and I live about 10 minutes away. If we all shared our talents and time, we could provide our children with a quality of life and independence that they wouldn't get in a larger CILA. And we wouldn't be caretaking 24/7 ourselves. I'm interested in brainstorming with any others about this issue. Please contact me offline. And also consider attending the residential symposium at the Autism One conference next May, where I hope to get even more ideas on changing the system ourselves. There are too many suffering while we wait on endless waiting lists. Withers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 Am I mistaken, though, or is there very little (expecially new) funding for foster situations? " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644 Office:708-795-1273 Home: 773-287-8249 From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskbsbcglobal (DOT) net> Subject: Re: Thoughts on Housing IPADDUnite@gro ups.com Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 6:59 AM Great idea, Pat. I would be interested in doing something similar in the northern suburbs. I wouldn't want to be more than 15-20 minutes (maximum) from my son. He is 22 and SO ready to move out! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskbsbcglobal (DOT) net Thoughts on Housing I have been reading all the posts about residential opportunities for our adult children and would like to propose another alternative to " calling legislators " to fund housing when money is scarce (or misspent!). I returned to the States 20 months ago, and without services or support when I was in crisis, I figured I had to create my own solutions instead of waiting for the State to help out. When my grandparents immigrated to the U.S.in the late 1800's, they helped each other out by forming their own communities of support. I think that is what is needed now. We don't have years to wait for state and federal budgets to fund our needs. By all means lobby the legislature and increase awareness in the media, but use our energy with as much vigor in creating new residential models, too. Fox and her friend, Delaney, have already pitched an idea to Gov. Jon Corzine that would unite parents in common geographic areas to pool their state funds to purchase and set up homes for their disabled loved ones. They would then arrange for a flow of existing state and federal entitlements to help pay the ongoing operating costs. When I read this in the article from New Jersey, I knew others were thinking similar thoughts. My father passed away last year, and I am purchasing the family home with the idea that my son may one day live there with one or two other guys. I recently was awarded home based services, and what if two other families could contribute their home based services as well. Could we create our own community home for our children? There are many good deals with foreclosures now, why not pool our resources and do ourselves what the state is unwilling or unable to do? I haven't worked out all the details yet, but I'm not willing to wait for politicians to act. My house is in the Oak Park area if any parents are interested in contacting me about creating a home for our sons. There are 3 bedrooms, and I live about 10 minutes away. If we all shared our talents and time, we could provide our children with a quality of life and independence that they wouldn't get in a larger CILA. And we wouldn't be caretaking 24/7 ourselves. I'm interested in brainstorming with any others about this issue. Please contact me offline. And also consider attending the residential symposium at the Autism One conference next May, where I hope to get even more ideas on changing the system ourselves. There are too many suffering while we wait on endless waiting lists. Withers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 I am not sure, andra, but I am guessing there is very limited funding for anything, right now. Some agencies, such as Glenkirk, in Northbrook, have managed to do quite a few of these living arrangements and they have been very successful. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Thoughts on Housing I have been reading all the posts about residential opportunities for our adult children and would like to propose another alternative to " calling legislators " to fund housing when money is scarce (or misspent!). I returned to the States 20 months ago, and without services or support when I was in crisis, I figured I had to create my own solutions instead of waiting for the State to help out. When my grandparents immigrated to the U.S.in the late 1800's, they helped each other out by forming their own communities of support. I think that is what is needed now. We don't have years to wait for state and federal budgets to fund our needs. By all means lobby the legislature and increase awareness in the media, but use our energy with as much vigor in creating new residential models, too. Fox and her friend, Delaney, have already pitched an idea to Gov. Jon Corzine that would unite parents in common geographic areas to pool their state funds to purchase and set up homes for their disabled loved ones. They would then arrange for a flow of existing state and federal entitlements to help pay the ongoing operating costs. When I read this in the article from New Jersey, I knew others were thinking similar thoughts. My father passed away last year, and I am purchasing the family home with the idea that my son may one day live there with one or two other guys. I recently was awarded home based services, and what if two other families could contribute their home based services as well. Could we create our own community home for our children? There are many good deals with foreclosures now, why not pool our resources and do ourselves what the state is unwilling or unable to do? I haven't worked out all the details yet, but I'm not willing to wait for politicians to act. My house is in the Oak Park area if any parents are interested in contacting me about creating a home for our sons. There are 3 bedrooms, and I live about 10 minutes away. If we all shared our talents and time, we could provide our children with a quality of life and independence that they wouldn't get in a larger CILA. And we wouldn't be caretaking 24/7 ourselves. I'm interested in brainstorming with any others about this issue. Please contact me offline. And also consider attending the residential symposium at the Autism One conference next May, where I hope to get even more ideas on changing the system ourselves. There are too many suffering while we wait on endless waiting lists. Withers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 Hi, I kid you not, I was just talking about this with a friend of mine, about getting people together to develop group homes. I went and visited a residential home in Helping Hands (Countryside, IL) it was a brand NEW house donated, custom made, BEAUTIFUL! Each person had their own room and bathroom, the best a house could offer. Helping Hands DOES help families that want to get together to share living arrangements, they help with the contracting, etc.. We would really be interested in doing that, and like someone said already about getting a decent foreclosure house. Dawn sweettart_60638@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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