Scott Schuster is planning a trip to San Francisco. He will be going with a group of people from Midland Michigan to receive an award from the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR). Scott is representing the 105 people with mental retardation in his community who are part of an innovative supported community living program.
Scott has been living in his own home a little over a year. Prior to that time, he lived in an Adult Foster Care home with eleven other individuals. During 1990 and 1991, he watched several of his friends move into their own homes and decided that was something he wanted for himself. Scott started his journey towards a different future like many others before him, with a circle of friends.
The Arc of Midland is an association for people with developmental disabilities. In 1988, The Arc began facilitating circles of friends for individuals with disabilities and their families who wanted to create supported living arrangements. At that time, there was a waiting list for placement into group residential facilities. People didn't want to wait; they wanted to get on with their lives. And they didn't want the residential options available at that time. They wanted to have more choice over where they lived, with whom, and the support that they would need.
Circles bring the individual with a disability, their family and friends, and professionals together to support the dreams and goals of the person they form around. Scott invited his parents, an uncle, and his case manager to be part of his circle of friends.
At first, they all struggled to envision how it could be that Scott could live on his own. The circle was afraid that Scott would be too isolated if he lived by himself. They knew he would need help with some basic everyday activities to be safe.
Scott and his circle visited other individuals with disabilities living in their own homes and saw how they were supported. The circle began to see how Scott could be supported. Gradually, the circle came to understand Scott's dream and agreed to find a way for him to achieve what he wanted.
They started with the question, "Where will Scott live?" Scott would need something affordable. His income was from SSI and some small earnings through his job at a vocational rehabilitation program, not enough to rent a typical apartment or buy a house. Scott and his circle decided to approach The David Reece Fund about helping Scott get a house.
The David Reece Fund is a non-profit housing corporation with the mission to provide housing to individuals with disabilities. In 1973, the Fund raised enough money to buy a twelve-bed foster care home, where Scott was living. In 1989, the Fund decided to try something different. At the request of an individual with mental retardation and his circle, The David Reece Fund agreed to buy him a house. The Fund established the goal to purchase housing for individuals that the Fund would make available at an affordable rate, not to exceed 30% of income, for as long as the individual wanted to live there. The person the house would be bought for would also decide who to live with, if anyone.
When Scott and his circle approached the David Reece Fund, there were several people waiting for housing before him. He had to wait a couple of years before the Fund had the money to buy his home.
During the time they were waiting, Scott's circle met regularly and explored options for his home. They talked about which neighborhood he should live in, who he might want to live with, and what the house would be like. Scott decided he would like to be near shopping, he would like to share his house with a "community renter" and he wanted a newly built house. When his turn came, the David Reece Fund agreed to build a small two-bedroom house in an established neighborhood near a shopping area. Scott and his circle got involved in the house plans and picked out carpet, flooring and siding. While his house was being built, Scott was a daily visitor to the construction site.
As moving day approached, Scott and his circle focused on his support needs. Scott had a case manager from Midland-Gladwin Community Mental Health (CMH) who would help develop his support plan and arrange services. This organization is contracted by the Michigan Department of Mental Health to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities in two counties. Funding for Scott's services would come through two medicaid programs, the community based waiver program and the adult home help program. The Michigan Department of Social Services is responsible for the adult home help program.
Together, Scott and his case manager decided what things he would need help with and when to schedule support staff. At first, they agreed he would have overnight staff until he found a housemate. They selected staff from among a pool of available assistants provided by The Arc of Midland. Scott decides who he wants to work or not work for him. The Arc handles the payroll functions for Scott.
Moving day finally arrived. Scott's family and friends helped him find furniture. He also received some second hand items from an organizations that collects donated furniture. Scott had a big open house to celebrate his move. His house was jammed with well wishers. They brought lots of household items for gifts.
Shortly after he moved in, Scott found a housemate. His first housemate was a young man from a different community who was assigned to work in Midland. He needed an affordable place to stay during the week, and Scott's house fit the bill. He stayed about six months. Scott's second and current housemate is a student at Midland Molecular Institute. He, too, needs a place to stay during the week. Scott's house provided both these young men with good quality, affordable housing.
Housemates pay rent at the same rate as the individual with a disability that they live with and share expenses. This is usually below typical market rates. Housemates have no obligation to provide support to the person they live with. They are invited to share the house, and establish whatever relationship they want with the person they live with.
Scott loves his home. He has learned to cook lots of different stuff. One of his specialities is spicy pork chops. He loves to shovel snow. He has a new computer that helps him keep track of dates and mailing lists. He has a job, now, working as part of an enclave for the Dow Corning corporation. He has a girlfriend and they go lots of places together. They also visit each other at their respective homes. Scott is politically active and has friends in high places. He has volunteered three times to help get Dave Camp elected to the House of Representatives He loves to invite people to his home to learn about supported community living. He is a gracious host.
On May 31, 1995, Scott will fly to San Francisco where he will attend the AAMR conference. He will be among a contingent of people from Midland on hand to receive the first Full Community Inclusion Award to be given by AAMR. While he is there attending AAMR events, he will be an ambassador for supported community living. He will eloquently demonstrate the values of choice, control and inclusion. And he will have a good time!
Scott invites you to find out more about supported community living in Midland, Michigan. You can call or write The Arc of Midland for information about opportunities to visit Scott and others: The Arc of Midland, 220 W. Main St., Midland, MI 48640, (517) 631-4439, fax (517) 832-5528. The Arc also has a videotape about supported community living in Midland that can be purchased. This article was submitted by Rebecca Shuman from Midland, Michigan. She is a circle facilitator and director of The Arc. You can reach her at the address and phone numbers above, and at murshu@aol.com.
This article was reprinted from Imagine That!, a quarterly newsletter about CSLA funded Supported Living in California. The newsletter is published by Allen, Shea & Associates, 1780 Third Street, Napa, CA 94559.