20 E Street South Portland, Maine

1. 20 E StreetSouth Portland,Maine

2. Why Are You Here? • I Love my Child I Want her to … • Be Happy • Be safe • Be social • Be as independent as possible • Live in a family setting • Enjoy a stable, long term living environment • Have access to community

3. Can I Let Go? She is Still My “Baby” He Need Us and Depends Upon Us Only We Can Give Her What She Needs Pressure From Self & Others – “Should” Is What We Are Enabling a Good Thing?

4. Our Vision • Give our children the opportunity to meet their potential • Give our children some independence • Provide our children with the personal dignity of self-determination • Provide for our adult children with disabilities what we have provided for their siblings • Build an adult relationship between us and our children

5. Housing Options • Living At Home • Living Alone • Live at a state-run group home • Live at E Street Let’s Examine Each Option

6. Living At Home • Lack of Social Contact with Peers • Loneliness • Community May Not Be Available • Independence Compromised • Habitual Reliance on Parents • Aging Parents • Arrangement Will Fail Long Term • Siblings not always accessible to help

7. Living Alone • Lack of Social Contact with Peers • Safety Concerns • Nutrition/Hygiene Concerns • Apartment Maintenance/Cleanliness • Irregular Supervision • Loneliness • Uncertain Long Term Stability

8. State-Run Group Home • Location: Community May Be Inaccessible • Resident Mix – Lack of Input/Control • Physical Plant – Is this a place I would want to live? • Staffing- High Turnover? Underpaid? • Long Term Viability • Who decides where your child lives? • Will they be moved to another home to suit agency needs? • Uncertainty of federal/state funding? • Is this option even available to your child?

9. Why E Street? • E Street provides the social, emotional and living environment that will help my son to develop his own life plan: • To have some real independence and control • To enjoy companionship in a family setting • To create a secure and permanent home • To have the pride of home ownership • To gain self esteem and dignity • Also, I want to keep my promise

10. What makes 20 E Street unique? • It is a private model of home ownership • Board of Trustees oversees 20 E Street • Management services provided by Specialized Housing, Inc. • Staff selected, managed and supervised by SHI. • Physical plant maintained by SHI • Residents create community guidelines

11. 20 E Street~ Management – Specialized Housing, Inc. ~ • Over 25 Years of Experience • 9 Successful Ongoing Residences • Hiring & Management of Staff • Operation & Management of Building • Assessment and Approval of Residents • Transition of Residents to new Home • Advice & Support for Families

12. Guiding Principles of Specialized Housing, Inc. • CONTRIBUTION — to enable individuals with disabilities to find ways to contribute to society, through work, community activities, volunteer activities, helping others • CONNECTION — to help and support individuals in making positive connections with others that are meaningful, mutually supportive, and life-enriching • CELEBRATION — to participate in recognizing the accomplishments of the people we support, to celebrate traditional events, develop new traditions to celebrate, and to make fun a part of their lives • COMMUNITY — to facilitate full participation in a community of peers and full participation in the larger community of the neighborhood, city, state, country, and the world

13. 20 E Street~ Staffing ~ • Professionally Interviewed & Assessed • Well-compensated • Working hours that allow for private life • Staff are committed long term • Very low turnover • Provided personal living space in residence • Advice & Support for Families

14. 20 E Street~ Home Design ~ • Quality, New Construction • Custom Design • Energy Efficient – including Air Conditioning • Bright Rooms & Common Areas • Quality Furnishings • Apartments for Staff

15. 20 E Street~ Social Environment~ • Living with Peers • Cooking & Dining in a Family Setting • Common areas to share entertainment • Living in a Vibrant Community • Support to Encourage Socializing with Others • Quality Private Space for Each Resident

16. 20 E Street • Ideal Location • Safe Residential Neighborhood • Vibrant neighborhood just outside the door • Easy walk to: • Supermarket, Post Office, Coffee Shop, Restaurants, Book Store, Pharmacy, Medical Offices; Eye Care, Goodwill, Video Store • Millcreek Park / Greenbelt walking/bicycle path • Bus transportation to Downtown Portland, South Portland Recreation Center and The Maine Mall

17. Knightville / Millcreek Area

18. Community, Community, Community • E Street Residents Within the House • E Street Residents Within the Neighborhood • E Street Families With Each-Other • E Street Siblings With Parents & Each-Other • E Street is Not Just a House – It’s A Home

19. 20 E Street ~ Home Sweet Home ~ We welcome you to join our group!