Alternatives to Guardianship Youth Resource Center

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The Administration on Disabilities (AoD) seeks to fund one (1) five-year grant to create an Alternatives to Guardianship Youth Resource Center. Research shows the majority (57 percent) of people with ID/DD ages 18 to 22 receiving publicly funded services have guardians.The Center will work to divert high school students with ID/DD away from guardianship to less restrictive decisional supports. The target audience for this information includes youth with ID/DD, parents and caregivers of high school students with I/DD, special education teachers, education administrators, advocates, vocational rehabilitation counselors, guidance counselors, and school district officials. As a result of funding this Center, AoD expects that:1. More students with I/DD will have more decisional options, such as Powers of Attorney, supported-decision-making (SDM), joint bank accounts, bill paying services, and medical or educational release forms, on completion of high school;2. Fewer young adults with I/DD will be subject to guardianship;3. The public will become more knowledgeable of alternatives to guardianship; and4. Youth will become more independent by gaining job experience and personal responsibilities.

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