Center for Disabilities Studies : Community Education : Shared Living Certificate Program

Shared Living Certificate Program

Distance Learning Certificate Program
Two video-based seminars on self-determination help caregivers enrich the lives of the people they support by promoting independence and helping dreams come true. This program is designed for people who share their homes and lives with adults with developmental disabilities.

The format of the certificate course allows a caretaker to learn at a time, pace, and place that is most convenient for him or her. Each of the two courses for the certificate program includes colorful, easy-t- read instructions, a self-test, worksheets, and a short video or DVD. The caregiver submits an evaluation by mail in a pre-paid envelope at the end of the course. Once the course requirements have been completed and the evaluation received, a certificate will be provided.

The Shared Living Certificate Program is funded through a collaboration of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services and the Center for Disabilities Studies.

Special Note: New Visions is a prerequisite for this course.

Learn how to identify

Natural supports at home and in the community that enrich the life of the person you support;
Likes and dislikes of the person you support; and
Barriers that prevent the person you support from living a more satisfying life.

Learn how to involve the person you support in

Making decisions that affect their life;
Developing a plan for living a happier life; and
Making new contacts that will sustain their dream.

Curriculum

Caregivers: Enriching Lives, Promoting Independence: Self Determination - Part I
This course is about helping you, the caregiver, guide the person you support to identify what brings more satisfaction into his/her day-to-day life. Big things. Small things. Everything can make a difference!

Involve the person you support in making decisions that affect his/her life.
Identify the people at home and in the community that already help the person you support lead a fulfilling life.
Identify what the person you support likes, does not like, and would like to have in his/her life.
Identify barriers that prevent the person you support from living a happier and more satisfying life.
Identify people who can help you guide the person you support to make decisions and smooth the way for living a happier and more satisfying life.

Caregivers: Making Dreams Come True: Self Determination - Part II
Anyone can have a dream about what they would like to do or be in life. Just because a dream may not be possible exactly as expressed does not mean that satisfaction related to that dream is not possible. This course is about helping you, the caregiver, help the person you support reach out for a fuller, happier life.

Work with the person you support to develop a plan for living a happier, more satisfying life.
Identify the people and community groups that might further enrich the life of the person you support.
Help the person you support make one or more new contacts that will bring more satisfaction and happiness into his/her life.

Cost

This course is offered at no cost to foster care providers who are funded by DDDS. Course materials and videos or DVDs can also be purchased (videos/DVDs sent on loan or purchased).

Registration

Mail your registration to:

Shared Living Certificate Program
Center for Disabilities Studies
University of Delaware
461 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE, 19716

For more information

Beverly Stapleford
(302) 831-4688
bstape@udel.edu