Family Partners has dedicated time and resources into finding homes for our developmentally disabled individuals. The goal is to ensure a safe home that allows our members to learn and come into their full potential. Being a Developmental Home provider is a very special duty since those with disabilities are not given many opportunities to be a part of a supportive and compassionate home when they are unable to live with their own family. 

In this Blog we will be looking at:

What is a developmental home? 

Is being a developmental home provider right for me?

Family Partners Developmental Home Client success story.

What can I do outside of being a provider to help support?

How do I become a home provider?

What is a developmental home, and what does being a provider entail?

A Developmental Home is a licensed home setting in which children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live in dedicated private family homes. Developmental Home providers are committed caregivers and are responsible for all facets of care for the individual in their home with direct support and coordination from Family Partners. These facets include, but are not limited to, providing activities of daily living and meeting the physical, emotional, and social needs of the individual receiving care. Providers must also provide transportation, meal planning, extra-curricular activities, prepare for and participate in team planning meetings and carry out assignments from the meetings.

Each Developmental Home provider is assigned a Family Partners Developmental Home Specialist to help support both the individual in care and the provider. The Specialist will ensure providers are maintaining all licensing and record-keeping requirements and will support the provider and member in resolving any barriers to promote the best quality of life possible for the member.

Family Partners Developmental Home Success Story:

Michael, Jennifer, and their son opened their home several years ago to care for adults with developmental disabilities.  They currently care for three adults- two men and a woman.  These individuals have been fully welcomed into the family and the home.  They’ve become healthier and more active since moving in.  They go out to eat, they get pedicures, they go on vacation, they go to the movies, and they enjoy their community together.  Their unique needs are met and Michael and Jennifer go above and beyond to make sure these three “are living their best life”.  

How to know if being a developmental home provider is right for you.

If you are thinking about becoming a Developmental Home provider, you may need to ask yourself a few questions as this may be the biggest responsibility you will ever have.  

Do you have the time to care for and meet all the needs of a child or adult with developmental disabilities? Meeting special needs may require advanced knowledge of medical and/or behavioral issues, patience in meeting the unique needs of the disability, multiple appointments to see doctors, speech, physical or occupational therapists, behavioral health experts, school or day program staff, or other team members, and creativity in meeting the interests and preferences expressed by the individual.

Are you comfortable “parenting in a fishbowl”?  You will need to cooperate with and communicate with many team members.  You must allow announced and unannounced home visits.  You must participate in team meetings and complete assigned responsibilities.  

Do you have a safe, stable, and compassionate environment for the individual to thrive in?  Individuals need consistency and security.  Family Partners requires adults to have their own bedroom.  Children may be able to share depending on age and gender.  

If you answered “yes!” to the above questions, please consider becoming licensed as a Developmental Home provider!

Supporting those with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities

If you are looking for other ways to be involved with our community and provide support to those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, please consider volunteering at various agencies and events supporting individuals with disabilities, become certified to be a respite provider, become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), become a surrogate parent for a child in foster care, or participate on the Foster Care Review Board.

How To Become A Developmental Home Provider 

Becoming a developmental home provider is an intense but rewarding process. If you would like more information about the qualifications and developmental home licensing requirements to be a home provider, please refer here.