I am reaching out, looking for some help. Some of you may know that I have not been able to find appropriate day programming for Julia.  

Julia turned 22 in January, and she was finished with school related programming. She was not ready for employment or further education. I hoped find an appropriate day program for her, specifically a Community-Based Day Support (CBDS) which develops and fosters core skills and vocational attributes necessary for social and vocational independence.  However, ever since the Covid lockdown, it has been very difficult to find a place in a CBDS. Most programs citing the difficulty in finding staff. 

At present, Julia attends programming that does not meet her needs and is not helping her to foster core skills or vocational attributes.  I have been working for the past 18 months to find her an appropriate program but as this year ends, I don’t see that she is any closer to good programming than she was when she left school in January.

Julia is eligible for services through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and I’ve turned to their Participant Directed Program (PDP) to meet some of her needs.  Julia has been funded for three days of support through PDP; however, while the PDP offers flexibility, creativity and opportunity to individualize supports for an individual, it also expect that the family will identify, hire and train the support staff.

And so, I am looking for a few people to spend time with Julia and to support her in a number of activities.  At present, Julia volunteers at the Newton Library, she rows at CRI, she plays the cello and ukulele at Berkelee and attends workshops in art and performance at Partners for Youth with Disabilities.  Recently, she has begun to use The Ride. I am hoping to find a few people who can support her in her present activities and/or to work on core skills towards independence like food shopping, cooking, creating a website, making art, clerical tasks and all types of cleaning. 

These are paid positions; however, nothing connected with the DDS is easy. The application process is a 30-page application plus fingerprinting, and can take six to eight weeks. I can help with the 30-page application to make it as painless as possible.  

I would eventually like Julia to be in a full time CBDS, and I imagine her using the DPD for up to a year.

If there is anyone who has read this entire post and has even an inkling of interest or some questions or some ideas, please contact me. I am very open to ideas that haven’t even crossed my mind!  I am absolutely no expert in figuring out what activities will move Julia to her most independent self.  

Thanks for being part of our community and providing a space that I feel comfortable with this big ask.