I CAN DECIDE
We all have the right to have power and control over our lives.
OUR PURPOSE:
To be led by and partnering with people labeled with intellectual disabilities and their families, building on the foundation that all people labeled with intellectual disabilities should have power and control over their lives
Circles of Support
A Circle of Support (Personal Support Network) is a group of unpaid, trusted family and friends who come together, in whatever way a person chooses, to help them build relationships and connections, make decisions, find opportunities, have fun and check in with one another. Members of the Circle are invested in the person’s life in a freely given way.
We believe Circles are an essential piece of ensuring people who need support are the leaders in their lives, have the most prominent voice in the decisions being made, and have the necessary power, control, safeguards and opportunities to live valued and participating lives in the communities of their choice.
Circles can provide the opportunity for people and loved ones to have the peace of mind that things will remain in place to support living great everyday lives for a lifetime.
Independent Facilitation
Facilitators walk with people on the journey of creating a Circle of Support. Their job is to get to know people and families and guide the process of building and maintaining the Circle, with information, education, community, connection and relationship building.
Some people start a Circle with family and friends already in their lives, others need to build some meaningful connections and relationships first in order to begin.
All are welcome, no matter that circumstance.
What else is Essential to living in the Community of your Choice?
Other Facilitation Services
Independent Facilitators have a wide variety of skills that center around helping people find a meaningful, everyday life. Since every person has a unique story, what this looks like is different for each one of them.
Some examples of what else Facilitators can help with are:
person-directed planning
exploring job opportunities
help with hiring support staff
making friends, relationships and dating
and more…
exploring gifts, talents, interests, and finding community places where these can be shared and enjoyed with and by others
Most importantly I Can Decide is not part of any government agency, so their Facilitators are only accountable to YOU.
Administrative Services
Everyone belongs in the community, living lives that are meaningful and freely chosen. We are here to help with the logistical side of living as well with many administrative services available.
managing Passport Funding
household budgeting/bill payments
ODSP reporting
filing income tax
managing payroll
funding access/reporting and bookkeeping
and more…
MEET THE FACILITATION TEAM!
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Niki Stevenson
Facilitation Coach, Mentor and Member/Family Connector
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Sharon Dery
Independent Facilitator
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Sarah Harder
Independent Facilitator
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Tracey Donsces
Independent Facilitator
A Deeper Look
Circles of Support
A Circle of Support is a group of trusted family and friends who come together in freely given relationship with the common goal of contributing to and supporting the life of another person.
Each member cares about that person and participates in their life in whatever way they and that person decide; sometimes it’s a ride, advice or a community connection. Sometimes it is just being present.
In addition, the person and members of a Circle usually meet together at least twice per year (frequency is directed by the person, and/or events happening in their life) to share and hear how the person is doing, do some planning, exploring or goal-setting, and check-in with each other. There may be a fun theme or event, and the person will guide all of this with the support of the Facilitator.
We help people make formal Circles because they can:
build stronger relationships for that person and for the people in the Circle
provide a sense of belonging and add joy and celebration to each person’s life
support people through transitions or changes in circumstance
help people make decisions
increase community connections and opportunities
provide security and safeguards for a person, even in the absence of their family
support the person and/or the family in times when more support might be required
be there for the person long-term, no matter what situation may arise
A Circle is a living, dynamic part of a person’s life. Members will come and go and how much someone needs to call on their circle also has a natural ebb and flow depending on what is going on in their life. An I Can Decide Facilitator is there to support the building and maintenance of the group and keep it sustainable, grounded in the belief that everyone has the right to a good everyday life.
Independent Facilitator's Role in Building a Circle
An Independent Facilitator walks beside a person and their Circle of Support as they travel down the path of exploring and creating a good, everyday life.
How they do this:
get to know the person and the other people in their life
help the person to develop freely given, unpaid relationships
help the person invite people into their Circle of Support
support the person to lead the Circle of Support so that their desires and concerns are heard
support the group to engage in meaningful conversation, planning and goal setting
to ensure the family feels supported through the process
to participate as much or as little as the person wants
Would you like more information? Do you have questions about how Independent Facilitation, Circles of Support or I Can Decide can help you?
What Else Does an Independent Facilitator Do?
I Can Decide’s Facilitators have the freedom to listen and respond to what someone wants out of their life, to be creative and access the community to its fullest potential without the limits that often come from other types of developmental support services. They walk with people at their own pace; encouraging, questioning and supporting the growth and change that is experienced by both the person and their family.
A Facilitator can support someone to:
build community connections and meaningful, mutually benefiting, unpaid relationships
find a job
explore places where their gifts and contributions are valued equitably
discover what they really want out of their life, what makes them happy and what they value
support the conversations with family and friends around difficult topics (dating, sex, money, safe guards, lifestyle choices…)
navigate the dating world
find educational opportunities
find friends and/or chosen family
