Position Statement on Living Arrangements for
Children
All Children have the need for caring, supportive families. It is the
responsibility o fall parents to support their children, emotionally, socially
and financially regardless of their child's special needs. Children with
developmental special needs often require additional supports of regional
centers to assist families in arranging for these additional supports to meet
the needs of the child.
One primary goal of regional centers is to support children with
developmental disabilities in their natural home. It is the responsibility
of regional centers to advocate for the development of a comprehensive pattern
of services to achieve this goal. Residential support services should
emphasize in-home programs before out-of-home programs are used.
Combinations of in-home and out-of-home services should be used before total
out-of-home services are used.
When it is in the best interest of the child, the regional center Client
Program Coordinator should develop a specific plan for placing the child back
with his or her parents as an integral part of the out-of-home placement
plan. This plan should be measurable and time-limited. It should
include specific responsibilities and opportunities for continued parental
interaction with the child. Adoption services should be explored for
children who have been abandoned by their parents or in those rare situations
where parents have demonstrated an unwillingness to maintain contact with their
child and provide emotional support for them.
Adopted by the ARCA Board on 4/16/1983 by unanimous motion
Position Statement on Living Arrangements for Adults
A normal developmental milestone for young adults is growth from dependence
on parents to interdependence with them. This can be accomplished in
various ways depending on the characteristics of the family structure and the
young adult. Moving out of the parental home has been emphasized as the
primary method of diminishing dependence for young adults who are
developmentally disabled. While this is a typical event in the American
culture for many young adults, it is becoming more common for sons and daughters
to live with parents long into their adult years.
With this example in mind, it should be noted that interdependence may be
accomplished in different ways. Regional Centers should emphasize their
education role with both parents and young adults around the issue of
interdependence and ensure that the client and family know the alternatives to
out-of-home placement. The Regional Center interdisciplinary team should
closely assess the client's family situation to determine what alternative will
enhance the client's growth as an adult individual. An individual plan
that includes day/work programs and social/recreational programs that emphasize
the transition to adult status may be equally or, in some cases, even more
effective than out-of-home placement in decreasing dependency and enhancing
growth as an adult.
Regional Centers should encourage continued interaction between parents and
their adult sons and daughters through age-appropriate activities when a client
chooses to move into out-of-home placement. Interdependent life styles may
lead to adults living with relatives during certain stages of life, such as an
adult who lives with an elderly parent who has specials needs for
assistance. It should be recognized that this type of role is valued and
is an alternative as long as the client's needs also are met.
Adopted by the ARCA Board on 4/16/1983 by unanimous motion
