Are you confused about what legal terms like guardianship, power of attorney, or health care representative mean? Are you looking for a way to create a network of support for yourself or your loved one without sacrificing legal rights? Join us for our April Resource Meeting. Our guests will be representatives from Supported Decision-Making Pennsylvania (SDMPA), a team from the Lehigh Valley that has been working on a project to share information about Supported Decision Making.

From our presenters:

“Recent data indicates young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) ages 18-22 are being funneled into guardianship because of school districts primarily advising parents of this option without explaining the potential lasting implications. Guardianship is a “legal process where a court removes some or many of the legal and decision-making rights from an individual and transfers them to another person called a guardian.”As a result, overbroad and undue guardianships occur, taking away more rights than necessary, denying self-determination of individuals with disabilities and in turn significantly impacting quality of life. Supported Decision-Making, an alternative to guardianship, allows people with disabilities to establish a circle of support that empowers them to make decisions to achieve and maintain independence. 

Supported Decision-Making Pennsylvania (SDMPA), created through a partnership with Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) and Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley (JFSLV) will serve transition age youth with disabilities and their families. While both organizations provide services and programs in the Lehigh Valley, SDMPA will allow the agencies to expand their reach and serve individuals and organizations throughout the Commonwealth. This grant is funded by PADDC. “