Session Plans

Workshop A

 

Title:   Help For Housing Mentors Who Will Assist Individuals With Developmental Disabilities Prepare for Home Ownership/Living in the Community

 

Intended Audience:   

 

Family members, advocates, staff persons or any individual interested in assisting a person with a developmental disability to become a home owner or to live independently

 

Goals:

 

·                      To present the principles of self-determination as related to housing

·                      To present the Opening Doors process to persons interested in assisting individuals with developmental disabilities become home owners or live independently.

·                      To present the role of the housing mentor

·                      To provide information as to how to work with individuals with developmental disabilities

·                      To provide housing mentors with information about:

·                      The housing choices available to persons with developmental disabilities

·                      Home Choice (Section 8) vouchers and how to access them

·                      Mortgage products available to persons with developmental disabilities

·                      Resources available, including information about their local Public Housing Authority (PHA), people who might be able to assist them, publications, etc.

 

Materials Needed:

 

Have one copy of each of the following documents available for each workshop participant.

 

·                       How to Be A Responsible Tenant

·                      Achieving Financial Success

·                      A Voter’s Guide for Marylanders with Disabilities

·                       “If You Are Considering Becoming A Mentor...”

·                       “Your Role As A Mentor”

·                      “The Maryland Opening Doors - A Home of Your Own Project: An Overview”

·                      Survey for Persons Working With Individuals with Disabilities (optional)

 

 

A flip chart and markers would also be helpful.

 

Session Outline:

·                      Introduction of the presenter

·                      Introduction of persons attending the workshop

Workshop A, p. 2

 

·                      Overview of workshop

·                      Ask what their expectations of the workshop are, include what they already know and what they want to learn

·                      Describe the purpose and content of the workshop

·                      Note that questions are welcome throughout the workshop.

·                      Note that they will receive handouts at the end of the session.

·                      Content

·                      Present the principles of self-determination as related to housing (see

handout in the “Materials” section entitled What Does Self-Determination in Housing Mean?).  Indicate that self-determination in housing means the freedom to make your own decisions about where you live, as well as whether you’d like to live alone or choose to have roommates in order to share expenses. Talk about the individual’s dream and who decides where the individual with the developmental disability will live.  Include a discussion of what housing options are available to persons with disabilities - home, condo, townhouse, etc.

·                      Present the benefits of self-determined housing.  These include:

Permanency - the living situation is determined by the individual and not

dependent upon the whims of a landlord or service provider agency.

Freedom of Choice - the location of the home and the selection of roommates is determined by the individual, not by others.  The individual with a developmental disability can live on his or her own terms and not on someone else’s terms.

Sense of Pride and Accomplishment - the individual can take pride in his or her accomplishment of living independently.

Respect - both from oneself and from others.

Economic Gain - Enjoy the financial benefits that accompany home ownership.

·                      Discuss the role of the housing mentor  (see handout in the “Materials” section entitled Your Role As A Mentor).  Highlight the importance of the role of the housing mentor and emphasize that this is a long-term commitment.  Also, discuss the type of support they see themselves giving.  Emphasize the importance of the individual with the developmental disability’s input and choice.

·                      Provide information about the local Public Housing Authority (PHA) - address, phone number(s), contacts, etc.

·                      Discuss Home Choice (Section 8) vouchers and mortgage products available to individuals with disabilities.

·                      Present helpful hints/guidelines regarding working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

·                      Highlight contents of How To Be A Responsible Tenant, so that housing mentors may be aware of some of the issues to be addressed when purchasing or leasing a home.

Workshop A, p. 3

 

·                      Discuss the process of becoming a home owner/renter.

·                      Provide participants with a list of resources available to them (see handout in the “Materials” section entitled Resources)

·                      Ask for a verbal evaluation of the workshop.

 

 

Evaluation:

 

See survey included in the “Materials” section entitled  Survey for Persons Working with Individuals with Disabilities.  This survey may be conducted at a later time.

Workshop B

 

Title:   Preparing For Home Ownership

 

Intended Audience:    Persons with Disabilities and their Housing Mentors

 

Goals:

 

·                      To present the concept of self-determination as related to housing.

·                      To introduce the concept of mentoring and to discuss the importance of the housing mentor’s role in the Opening Doors process.

·                       To discuss what it means to have a home of your own.

·                      To discuss the housing choices available to persons with developmental disabilities.

·                      To provide an overview of the Opening Doors process.

 

 

Materials Needed:

 

One copy of each of the following documents per participant would be helpful.

 

·                      How To Be A Responsible Tenant

·                      Achieving Financial Success

·                      “The Maryland Opening Doors - A Home of Your Own Project: An Overview”

·                      Resource list including contact information for the local Public Housing Authority (PHA), etc.

 

A flip chart and markers would also be helpful.

 

Display copies of the following publications.  Single copies are available free from the Fannie Mae Foundation.

 

·                      Borrowing Basics: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You.

·                      Choosing The Mortgage That Is Right For You.

·                      Directory of Home Buyer Resources

·                      Knowing and Understanding Your Credit

·                      Opening The Door To A Home Of Your Own

 

 

Session Outline:

 

·                      Introduction of the presenter.

·                      Introduction of the participants..

·                      Purpose of the workshop.

·                      Remind participants that questions are welcomed at any time.

·                      Overview of the Opening Doors process.

Workshop B,  p. 2

 

·                      Overview of self-determination as it relates to housing.

·                      Present the benefits of self-determined housing.  These include:

Permanency - the living situation is determined by the individual and not

dependent upon the whims of a landlord or service provider agency.

Freedom of Choice - the location of  the home and the selection of roommates is determined by the individual, not by others.  The individual with a developmental disability can live on his or her own terms and not on someone else’s terms.

Sense of Pride and Accomplishment - the individual can take pride in his or her accomplishment of living independently.

Respect - both from oneself and from others.

Economic Gain - Enjoy the financial benefits that accompany home ownership.

 

·                      What is your dream?

 

Do you want to have a home of your own?

Where do you live now?

What do you want to change?

What kind of housing do you want to live in?

Who will help you?

What do you have now that you can use to get a home of your own?

What do you need?

What are your choices?

 

·                      Who will help you? Your Housing Mentor.

 

What is a housing mentor?

Why is having a housing mentor important?

How do you choose a housing mentor?

How can a housing mentor help you get a home of your own?

 

·                      Is home ownership right for you?

 

 Do you want to own a home of your own or do you want to rent?

What kind of home do you want?

What does it mean to be a homeowner?

How can you take care of a home of your own?

Do you want to share your home?

What does it cost to own a home?

How much money do you have to spend?

How can you pay for a home of your own?

 

Workshop B, p. 3.

 

·                      Ask for feedback regarding the session.

 

Evaluation:

 

The Survey for Persons with Disabilities may be administered at a later date.

Workshop C  

 

Title:   How To Help An Individual Prepare For Home Ownership - Financial Basics

(As taught by Dave Rosenthal, a Certified Financial Planner with American Express).

 

This workshop is best handled by an individual with a professional financial background.

 

Intended Audience:    Persons with Developmental Disabilities and their Mentors who have completed Workshop A.

 

Goals:

 

·                      To provide participants with an overview of the financial issues involved in working toward home ownership and independent living.

·                      To provide participants with suggestions as to how they may overcome some of the financial obstacles to home ownership and independent living.

·                      To begin to assess the individual’s financial readiness for home ownership and independent living.

 

Materials Needed:

 

·                      The Financial Pyramid/Triangle

·                      One copy of Achieving Financial Success per person.

·                      Flip chart and markers

·                      Board with Velcro

·                      Icons that can be placed on the Velcro board.  Examples include: paycheck, house/condo, utilities, taxes, insurance, recreational activity, etc.

 

Session Outline:

 

·                      Introduction and background of presenter.

·                      Introduction of participants.

·                      Overview of workshop.

·                      Present Financial pyramid.  This concept is presented in the American Express booklet entitled Achieving Financial Success.

·                      Begin with the end in mind - what do you want to achieve?  What is your vision?  What are your goals?

·                      What is your current situation?  Where do you work?  Where do you live?

·                      What do you spend your money on now?  Rent, food, gas, lights, phone, electricity, medical expenses, credit card bills, etc.

·                      What do you need to do to get from your current situation to your dream?   Savings, down payments/deposits, furniture, money for emergencies, etc.

·                      What about having fun?

 

 

Workshop C,  p. 2.

 

·                      There will be challenges along the way - resistance from families or service provider agencies, low income, reducing debt, etc.

·                      Ask the participants to begin taking a closer look at their financial situation - income, expenses, what they like to spend their money on, what needs to be planned for, etc.

·                      Discuss what workshop participants need to plan for - down payment/security deposit, furniture, utilities, insurance, reserves, emergencies, having roommates to share expenses.

·                      Hand out Achieving Financial Success.  Ask participants to complete pp. 6 - 7 prior to attending the individual session with the certified financial planner.  Emphasize the need to be prompt and prepared as the financial planner’s time is valuable.

·                      Schedule the private financial consultation.

·                      Ask for feedback about the workshop - may be either verbal or written.

 

Evaluation:

 

The financial professional may determine if further feedback is needed.

Workshop D

 

Title:   Individual session with a Certified Financial Planner

 

This workshop is to be presented by a financial professional

 

Intended Audience:    Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their Housing Mentors who have completed Workshops B and C.

 

Goals:

 

·                      To assess the individual’s financial situation.

·                      To determine an individual’s financial readiness for home ownership or independent living.

·                      To determine the steps an individual needs to take in order to prepare for home ownership or independent living.

 

Materials Needed:

 

·                      Completed  pp. 6 - 7 from Achieving Financial Success - “Financial Assets and Net Worth” and  “Figuring Your Cash Flow.”

·                       Calculator

·                      Note paper

·                      Other materials deemed appropriate by the financial professional.

 

Session Outline:

 

·                      Read through the completed forms to assess the individual’s financial situation.

·                      Discuss the strengths and needs of the individual’s finances to determine what steps are needed to prepare for home ownership or independent living.

·                      Plan the steps the individual will need to complete in order to work toward home ownership or independent living.

·                      Based on the evaluation of the individual’s finances, make a recommendation as to whether an individual should proceed to housing counseling.  If housing counseling is recommended, refer the individual to the appropriate resource.

 

Evaluation:

 

To be determined by the financial professional.

Workshop E

 

Title:   Housing Counseling For Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Their Housing Mentors

 

This session is to be presented by a certified housing counselor.  The length of this process will be based on the needs of the individual with the developmental disability.

 

Intended Audience:    Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their Housing Mentors who have completed workshops B, C, and D and who have been recommended for housing counseling.

 

Goals:

 

·                      To assist the individual in understanding the responsibilities involved in being a responsible home owner.

·                      To assist the individual with a disability in understanding the specific steps he or she needs to take in order to become a home owner.

 

Materials Needed:

 

·                      To be determined by the individual housing counselor and based on the needs and abilities of the individual with a developmental disability.

 

Session Outline:

 

·                      Several sessions will be needed to cover the material presented in this workshop.  The content and timing of each workshop will be determined by the individual’s needs and ability level.

 

Evaluation:

 

·                      To be determined by the individual housing counselor.