A Roadmap for Future Planning for Adults with Disabilities and the Families, Providers and Administrators that Support Them
Many individuals with I/DD rely on aging parents or family members as their primary caregivers. As lifespans increase, a growing number of individuals will be at risk of institutionalization or homelessness without proper planning for when their natural caregivers can no longer provide support. Long term planning is essential to preventing these crises and ensuring a continuity of support that preserves individuals’ rights of self-determination.
- Appendix A – Literature Review
- Appendix B – Survey
- Appendix C – Environmental Scan
- Appendix D – Feasibility
- Appendix E – Technical Analysis
The Sustainability Planning Project sought to identify opportunities and roadblocks for establishing continuing pathways of support as natural caregivers age. It is crucial for the broader community, including waiver administrators and service providers, to plan and ensure the resources are in place for this demographic reality.
Web-based planning tools come in all shapes and sizes. These are a few that were identified in the scan.
- The Arc Build Your Plan® online tool
- Life Course Nexus Planning Resources
- Maryland Developmental Disability Council Planning Now Tool
- The Dani Plan
- Special Needs Alliance planning resource
- Maryland ABLE
While having a resource is a good start, having peer support, guidance from a trained professional and access to the future resources one’s need are critically important to successful planning. Accordingly, our future efforts will be aimed at expanding on this initial work.
The Sustainability Planning Project is a collaborative effort led by SDAN and Collaborative Strategies and made possible through an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) competitive grant awarded by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). The SPP grant was awarded July 2023 and completed in March 2025. Use of these materials is permissible under the terms of the Fair Use Doctrine.