1. Living On Your Own Independent Living and the Role of Self-Advocacy Bridgette Imperial & Mark Ohrenberg Youth & Family Connection Services for Independent Living

2. What is Independent Living Youth define Independent LivingYouth define Independent Living Independent Living is...Independent Living is... Why is independent living importantWhy is independent living important –Youth examples

3. What are Your Independent Living Needs? What you need to live independentlyWhat you need to live independently –Brainstorm and List What kinds of assistance would help you meet these needsWhat kinds of assistance would help you meet these needs –Brainstorm and List

4. What are Supports? Youth define SupportYouth define Support Supports are...Supports are... –Natural Support –Formal Support Youth give examples of supporting individuals & places in the communityYouth give examples of supporting individuals & places in the community

5. How SIL Can Help Information & ReferralInformation & Referral –Within SIL –To outside community resources AdvocacyAdvocacy –Can be the middle person between you and agencies to speed things along and go smoothly –Opportunities for self-advocacy (e.g. PAVE, LEP, opportunities to serve on panels)

6. How SIL Can Help (cont.) Peer SupportPeer Support –Social networking –Mentoring Independent Living Skills TrainingIndependent Living Skills Training –Person Centered Career Planning –Career Exploration/Job Shadowing –Work Readiness –Life skills

7. Accessing Services EligibilityEligibility –Most services for individuals w/disabilities –Other services are inclusive for those with or w/o disabilities –No income guidelines –Transportation limitations –No documentation for disability required

8. Accessing Services (cont’d) IntakeIntake –Call in/Walk in –Single Point of Entry - Intake/Community Resources Specialist, Scout Merry Indentifies goals/needsIndentifies goals/needs Intake paperwork is completedIntake paperwork is completed Referred to appropriate resource within agency or to outside agency/sReferred to appropriate resource within agency or to outside agency/s

9. Contact Us Bridgette Imperial & Mark Ohrenberg 1401 Hathman Place, Columbia MO 65201 573-874-1646mohrenberg@silcolumbia.org