1. Supported Decision- Making in Action: Creating Effective Coordinated Support Plans
Jonathan Martinis
Senior Director for Law and Policy
The Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University
Co-Project Director,
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making

2. EVERYONE has the Same Goal
We ALL want “a foundation that will foster a lifetime of opportunity and happiness.” “Many of the means to achieving those outcomes are the same: enrollment in post-secondary education, vocational training programs, experiencing work, and developing social networks that foster long-term meaningful relationships and opportunity for continued growth.” - Gustin, 2015
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

3. A Critical Difference
For People With Disabilities: “Figuring out who the different service provider representatives are and what their roles are can take on a life of its own that often overwhelms families, mostly because the different service systems are not always clear on what their roles are or get into territorial role definitions that impact forward progress and planning.” - Gustin, 2015
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

4. The Solution: A Culture of Coordinated Support
“We must create cultural change by moving away from separation and silos. Instead, individuals, families, and providers must work together to empower people with disabilities to live independent, productive, and community-included lives. We call this a Culture of Coordinated Support.” - Gustin & Martinis, 2016

5. In a Culture of Coordinated Support
People and Agencies:
Plan and coordinate their work “so that each knows what the others are doing and will do”
Ensure that the person’s various support plans support plans describe how “each agency and provider will work with the others to help the person achieve his or her goals.”
Gustin & Martinis 2016

6. How? Supported Decision-Making
State-wide, cross-program use of Supported Decision-Making is the key to creating a Culture of Coordinated Support.
Creates a “common tongue” for working with the person and coordinating plans and efforts
Ensures the person is at the center of the plans
Ensures that the agencies meet their obligations

7. Coordination Opportunities: Cross-System Planning
Education (schools, adult education services, training programs)
Employment/Economic (VR, SSA, Representative Payees; Ticket to Work; WIOA)
Health Care (Dept of Health, Doctors/health care providers)
Legal/Advocacy (Lawyers, Courts, P&A, Advocacy Orgs like AARP, Arc, NAMI)
Guardians (Private/Professional, GAL)
Service Providers/Coordinators (Private Providers/Service Agencies)

8. Bringing It Together: A Coordinated Support Plan
The Coordinated Support Plan brings together and coordinates the person’s
IEP
IPE
ISP
Other Support Plans and Plans of Care
So, plans and providers work together, more effectively and efficiently
Gustin & Martinis, 2016 i

9. Coordinated Support Strategy
Think. Listen. Listen Again
Identify Goals
WHAT do I want?
Recognize Opportunities
WHAT do I need to get there?
Spotlight on Strengths, Challenges, and Allies
WHAT can I do? WHO can help me? WHAT’S in my way?
Coordinate Strengths and Allies
HOW will we work together?
Address Challenges
HOW will we get past the roadblocks?
Make it Happen
WHEN do we start? HOW OFTEN will we review?

10. Creating A Coordinated Support Plan
Review! Go through each area of your life.
Example: Financial, Medical, Social, Employment
Brainstorm! Does you need some help in those areas?
If so, talk about what support could help, who could provide it, and how
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

11. Writing Coordinated Support Plans
Write! plans addressing areas where you want support
WHAT is my goal?
WHAT do I need to get there?
WHAT is stopping me from getting there?
WHO can help me get there and HOW?
HOW will we all work together?
WHEN will we start and HOW OFTEN will we review?
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

12. Implementing A Coordinated Support Plan
Make it a Part! The Coordinated Support Plan brings together and coordinates other plans:
IEP
IPE
ISA
Other Plans of Care
So, include coordination in the plans or attach a separate plan to each, to guide implementation and ensure coordination i
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

13. Coordinated Support Planning in Action
Coordinated Support Plans for
Education
WHAT do I want to learn to do?
Employment
WHAT do I want to do for a living?
Financial
HOW do I want to manage my money?
Health Care
HOW do I want to manage my health?
Social
WHAT do I want to do in my spare time?
ANYTHING ELSE
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

14. Your Turn Design A Coordinated Support Plan
16 Year Old with Down Syndrome
Wants to be a Veterinarian
Has limited independent living and employment skills
Has Medicaid
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

15. Your Turn: Design A Coordinated Support Plan
18 Year Old with BiPolar Disorder
Wants to leave school
Having behavioral issues, with a “bad crowd”
Has SSI
No employment goal, but wants to “make money” and “live on my own”
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

16. Your Turn: Create a Coordinated Support Plan
21 Year Old with Autism
Graduating in June
Living with aging parents
Interested in computers, has good skills but has interpersonal relationship issues
Has difficulty navigating public spaces/transportation
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

17. Join the Conversation
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making: SupportedDecisionMaking.Org
The Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University: BBI.Syr.Edu
Jonathan Martinis, Senior Director for Law and Policy:
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices

18. About this Project
This project was supported, in part by grant number HHS-2014-ACL-AIDD-DM-0084, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making EVERYONE has the Right to Make Choices