2018 TASH Conference

The presentation will describe the steps taken by a public managed care organization and a non-profit managed care organization to avoid guardianships. Every adult has the right to autonomy, to make life decisions, to direct his/her life and to be treated with dignity. Guardianship strips individuals of their legal rights. All autonomous adults need and get advice and counsel when making different life decisions. Person Centered Planning and Self-Determination require that adults with disabilities are respected and honored to make life decisions, with the support and counsel they need. These practices when done properly strengthen the circle of support around the individual with a disability, providing both the counsel and framework for preserving the individual's autonomy and decision making and renders guardianship unnecessary. This presentation will describe the policy and organization changes that were made by both a public and a private agency, built on the principles of Person Centered Planning and Self-determination, to shift control away from professional staff, licensing and guardianship agencies to people who in growing numbers have taken control of their lives and live in homes they own or rent, with housemates and support staff of their choice.