Forever Homes for Us

I am the mother of a 20-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, autism and mental health disorders. When she entered seventh grade, she began developing impulsive, aggressive behavior. Since that time, my husband and I have been on an extraordinary journey seeking medical and behavioral treatment for our daughter, including moving our daughter out of state to spend part of her high school years in an amazing residential treatment center that specializes in students with behaviors and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

Read part of our story here.

 

As my daughter enters adulthood and begins the transition out of school district services, we’ve witnessed how woefully unprepared our home state of California is to provide supported communities of care for our adult children. But this is not unique to California. We are facing a nationwide crisis in service delivery and residential care options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly the most complex cases requiring 24/7 supported care — people who either aren’t able to live safely at home with their parents or will need a forever home when their parents are no longer able to care for them.

 

My goal is to build a supported community of care for my daughter and people like her — a model community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors. Adult children like my daughter need a forever home where they can continue to learn and grow with proper behavior supports. A home where they will be safe, cared for and loved long after their parents are able to.

 

All views expressed are my own.

Allison’s Mom and Conservator, Brenda Deeley