Cheryl Farley

SD #22: What Is MA21? Key Supports for Families Using Self-Directed Disability Services in Massachusetts

In this week’s blog post, I want to share a resource that has been incredibly valuable as we’ve navigated L’s Participant Directed Program (PDP) journey: the MA21 Group. You can find them here at MA21 Alliance. What is MA21? MA21 stands for the Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy.Formed in 2007, this alliance includesContinueContinue reading “SD #22: What Is MA21? Key Supports for Families Using Self-Directed Disability Services in Massachusetts”

SD # 21: Creating a “Circle of Care”: Support Networks for Families in Participant-Directed Services

As parents of children with disabilities, life can often feel like a roller-coaster—full of highs, lows, and unexpected turns. While we’ve been very fortunate that our entire family has embraced our son, and that we live in a neighborhood that has gone above and beyond to include L in all activities, there have still beenContinueContinue reading “SD # 21: Creating a “Circle of Care”: Support Networks for Families in Participant-Directed Services”

SD #20: Setting Up the “Business Side” of a Participant Directed Program

Once your Participant Directed Program (PDP) has been approved, the next step is to set up the “business side” of the program. This part may sound intimidating at first, but with the right tools and support, it becomes manageable — and even empowering. For detailed guidance, be sure to reference the PDP Toolkit and theContinueContinue reading “SD #20: Setting Up the “Business Side” of a Participant Directed Program”

SD #19 – October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and it’s the perfect time to reflect on the importance of employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For this month’s posts and Podcast/YouTube, we’re going to highlight not only what we are doing in L’s Participant-Directed Program (PDP) to build job readiness skills, but will also shineContinueContinue reading “SD #19 – October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month”

Transition 101 #13: Back-to-School Transition Planning Review

It’s September, which means families everywhere are settling back into the rhythm of the school year. This is the perfect time to pause and do a “back-to-school transition planning review.” Keeping track of key dates and requirements now will save you stress later—and help ensure that your teen or young adult with disabilities stays onContinueContinue reading “Transition 101 #13: Back-to-School Transition Planning Review”