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Housing & Community Living

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Addressing the housing needs for youth with disabilities is greater than just finding places for them to live. It’s also involves developing daily living skills, setting up adult services for daily living needs, and finding “belonging” in the community. The Medicaid Innovations Waiver is the main funding source for adult services to support community living.

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Acronym Key: MCO = Managed Care organization | Pre-ETS = Pre Employment Transition Services | IDD = Intellectual and Developmental Disability

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1010

Review life skills checklists and resources throughout the transition process.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Life skills checklist (en español) Life skills checklist (en español) :
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Independent-Living-Life-Skills-Checklist-Booklet-Spanish.pdf

Lista de Verificacion de Habilidades para la Vida Lista de Verificacion de Habilidades para la Vida :
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Independent-Living-Life-Skills-Checklist-Booklet-Spanish.pdf

PEATC Life skills checklist PEATC Life skills checklist :
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Independent-Living-Life-Skills-Checklist-Booklet-ENGLISH-Interactive.pdf

1020

Learn daily living skills (budgeting, shopping, cooking) from classroom and community-based instruction or life experiences.
Who can help: Individual and School/IEP Team, Pre-ETS programs
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Life skills checklists Life skills checklists :
https://media.focusonthefamily.com/fotf/pdf/magazine/checklist-4-lifeskills.pdf

Pre-Employment Transition Services Pre-Employment Transition Services :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/pre-employment-transition-services-faq-3/

1030

Increase responsibilities at home (i.e., chores, using a schedule or planner) and explore support needs (i.e., assistive technology, visual checklists).
Who can help: Individual and Family
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Using technology to increase independence Using technology to increase independence :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/using-technology-to-increase-independence/

1040

Identify preferred leisure activities for home and the community. If necessary, develop a choice board or other structure needed for leisure time.
Who can help: Individual and family
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Parks and recreation, churches, YMCA, community billboards & kiosks Parks and recreation, churches, YMCA, community billboards & kiosks :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/what-opportunities-are-available-after-high-school/what-opportunities-are-available-after-high-school-community-living/

1050

Learn and practice coping skills.
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Therapist
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Coping and calming skills Coping and calming skills :
https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/prioritize-coping-and-calming-skills

1110

Learn and practice communication and self-advocacy skills for different settings (employment, school, recreation).
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Why is it important for students to advocate for themselves Why is it important for students to advocate for themselves:
https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/questions-answered/self-advocacy/

Advocacy toolkit Advocacy toolkit :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/advocacy-toolkit/

Help Your Child Learn to be a good Self-Advocate Help Your Child Learn to be a good Self-Advocate :
https://media.pacer.org/php/php-c322.pdf

Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination Action Plan Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination Action Plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/making-choices-is-hard/self-determination-self-advocacy-action-plan/

1120

Learn and practice community safety skills.
Who can help: Individual and family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Safety in the community Safety in the community :
https://www.autismspeaks.org/safety-community

Bridging to adulthood tips Bridging to adulthood tips :
https://hollandbloorview.ca/sites/default/files/Transitions%20Tipsheets/Bridging%20to%20Adulthood%20Tips%20-%20Safety%20Resources.pdf

Safety Powers program Safety Powers program :
https://learn.kidpower.org/course/safety-powers-project

1130

Become familiar with safety strategies for social media i.e., how to recognize scams, avoid predators, protect personal information.
Who can help: Individual and family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

How to stay safe online How to stay safe online :
https://www.anncrafttrust.org/how-to-stay-safe-online-guidance-for-adults-and-young-people-with-learning-disabilities/

1140

Broaden experiences and skills through community activities. Check out Work Togethers social/recreational program library.
Who can help: Individual and family
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

WTNC social/recreational program library WTNC social/recreational program library :
https://worktogethernc.com/services/?_services_type=social-recreation

1150

If applicable, prepare for living with roommates (i.e., practice relevant social skills like setting boundaries, communicating preferences).
Who can help: Individual and family
Approximate age: High School

Resources:

Living with a roommate Living with a roommate :
https://blog2.roomiapp.com/us/how-to-find-a-roommate/

Guides to living with a roommate Guides to living with a roommate :
https://www.vistaresidences.com.ph/blog/roommate-relationship-common-guides-to-living-with-roommates

1160

Learn how to understand and respond to emergencies in the home and community.
Who can help: Individual and family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: High School

Resources:

Types of emergencies Types of emergencies :
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies.html

1210

Identify the types of future living arrangements that fit your preferences and support needs. Tip: many adults with ID and family members can find useful information from resources about housing types for Autistic people.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team, Managed Care Organization
Approximate age: Start in middle school and ongoing

Resources:

It's My Choice Housing checklist It's My Choice Housing checklist :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/its-my-choice-housing-checklist/

Deciding Where To Live: Getting Started (The Arc) Deciding Where To Live: Getting Started (The Arc) :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/deciding-where-to-live-getting-started-the-arc/

Finding the right housing toolkit Finding the right housing toolkit :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/finding-the-right-housing-toolkit-autism-grown-up-2/

1220

Explore Work Together NCs online libraries where you can find information to use with your family and trusted adults to learn more about the types of living arrangements that might be right for you. Tip: some of these resources focus on autism, but they have useful information for adults with ID.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team, Managed Care Organization
Approximate age: Start in middle school and ongoing

Resources:

Supporting people with IDD to identify appropriate housing Supporting people with IDD to identify appropriate housing :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/supporting-people-with-i-dd-to-identify-appropriate-housing/

Housing Resources Housing Resources :
https://worktogethernc.com/resources/?_resource_tags_2=community-living-housing&_paged=2

A place in the world report A place in the world report :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/a-place-in-the-world-report-ahn/

1230

Learn about the NC Medicaid Supported Living Definitions and understand what they mean for your family. If the individual is receiving the NC Innovations Waiver, talk to your MCO Care Coordinator. If the individual is not receiving the NC Innovations Waiver, ask a Care Coordinator from your MCO about supported living services that may be available through the State of NC.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Managed Care Organization
Approximate age: Individuals are re-assessed for their "level" every 3 years by the MCO

Resources:

Supported living guidebook Supported living guidebook :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/nccdd-supported-living-guidebook/

LME/MCO Directory LME/MCO Directory :
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/lme-mco-directory

Supported living services Supported living services :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/supported-living-services-nc-medicaid-innovations-waiver/

1240

If you are interested in living in an apartment or another type of rented space, research affordable housing programs that assist people to pay for rent.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Managed Care Organization
Approximate age: High school

Resources:

NC affordable housing NC affordable housing :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/nc-affordable-housing-local-housing-authorities-website/

Housing choice voucher Housing choice voucher :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/housing-choice-voucher-fact-sheet/

910

Explore natural support resources to help develop an individual's social network.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and Transition Facilitator/IEP Team
Approximate age: 13 and ongoing

Resources:

Natural support network development Natural support network development :
https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/natural-supports-2016-10/open

Building Personal Support Network Building Personal Support Network :
https://www.nccdd.org/images/initiatives/FullCircle_Booklet_FamilyFriends.pdf

920

Utilize resource mapping tools to gain awareness of local resources.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and Transition Facilitator/IEP Team
Approximate age: 13 and ongoing

Resources:

Resource mapping Resource mapping :
https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/11/resource-resource-mapping-ncset.pdf

Resource mapping toolkit Resource mapping toolkit :
https://project10.info/files/CommunityResourceMapToolkit5.08.14.pdf

930

Contact your local MCO to assess the child's eligibility for services. If eligible, ensure the child is added to the Registry of Unmet Needs (also known as the "waitlist") for the NC Innovations Waiver.
Who can help: Individual and family
Approximate age: As early as possible infancy is not too young. It can take 15+ years to get off the waitlist!

Resources:

LME/MCO Directory LME/MCO Directory :
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/lme-mco-directory

NC Innovations Waiver NC Innovations Waiver :
https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/providers/programs-and-services/behavioral-health-idd/nc-innovations-waiver

NC DHHS: IDD NC DHHS: IDD :
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities

940

Contact your local MCO to ask about eligibility for home and community services. Even if an individual is still on the Registry of Unmet Needs, they may qualify for other services. [see Adult Services action plan for information].
Who can help: Individual and family
Approximate age: Contact MCO at least once a year, starting at 14 (there are oftentimes updates in policies/services available)

Resources:

Accessing IDD services Accessing IDD services :
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/20230816accessing-idd-resourcescolor/download?attachment

Adult services action plan Adult services action plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly-adult-services-action-plan/

950

Learn about housing rights for people with disabilities.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and School/IEP Team
Approximate age: 14

Resources:

Housing rights Housing rights :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/your-housing-rights/

Fair housing equal opportunity information Fair housing equal opportunity information :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/fair-housing-equal-opportunity-information/

960

Contact your MCO or other IDD services provider organizations to help identify housing programs of interest and navigate to applications.
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian
Approximate age: Middle school or as early as possible

Resources:

Work Together NC resource library Work Together NC resource library :
https://worktogethernc.com/resources/?_resource_tags_2=community-living-housing

970

Explore other Work Together NC action plans that are relevant to community living: transportation, adult services, financial well-being, self determination, and more!
Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and Transition Facilitator/IEP Team, Adult Service Providers
Approximate age: As early as possible and ongoing

Resources:

Work Together NC action plans Work Together NC action plans :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/

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