Self-Determination was developed as a voluntary alternative to the traditional way of providing regional center services and is intended to offer people more freedom and control over how their services are provided and more freedom and control in who supports them. Self-Determination is having a choice in all areas of your life including where you want to live, how you will spend your time each day and who you will spend your time with. It’s about having hopes and dreams for the future and developing goals to go after them. It’s about being in control, making your own decisions, spending money your way.
People may choose to remain living with their families after becoming adults. They may also wish to live independently from family in their own home or in a licensed residential home. If the young adult chooses to live in his or her own apartment, an application for subsidized housing may be appropriate. There is a long waiting list for Section 8 and other subsidized housing options, so an application should be made well in advance. If you are considering a residential facility, your Service Coordinator can help arrange visits to licensed residential homes in your community. The goal for all residential services is to maintain the highest level of independence possible while offering the person a safe place to live.
