Lifesharing
Life Sharing pairs a supportive and caring household with a life sharing participant. Life Sharing Caregivers can be a family member or family friend of the participant or a community member.
To learn more about becoming a qualified Life Sharing Caregiver or Life Sharing participant call ODS at 412-253-1399 and ask for the Life Sharing lead. You may also email ODS for information.
You may be eligible for Life Sharing if you:
- are registered with ODS
- would like to live with a qualified and caring adult or family in a private home
- have a need for residential services in your Individual Support Plan (ISP)*
- have funding – usually a Consolidated or Community Living waiver (work with your Supports Coordinator (SC) regarding this)
If you take part in Life Sharing:
- a family member or family friend can support you in their home, you can live in your home or you can move into the home of someone who wants to be a Life Sharing Caregiver (provider)
- you will be living and sharing experiences with a small number of primary caregivers as opposed to living in a home with changing staff
- have the support of a caring person to assist with community participation, leisure activities, transportation, personal care, wellness, and household tasks
- have help from your support team with finding the best match for you, and reaching your goals
You may be eligible to be a Life Sharing Caregiver if you:
- have time to support a Life Sharing relationship
- can support the Life Sharing participant's needs
- complete trainings
- are over age 18
- accept responsibility for and will be actively involved in providing care and support
- have a family member or family friend that chooses and is eligible for the Life Sharing service
If you are a Life Sharing Caregiver you will gain:
- the unique gifts and talents the individual brings to the relationship
- the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life
- support of the Life Sharing community
- a monthly stipend
- care breaks and training
- knowledge of and assistance from Charting the LifeCourse Framework and Tools (CtLC)
Life Sharing Events
10th Annual Lifesharing Conference
November 7 and 8, 2022
The Pennsylvania Lifesharing Coalition will be holding its 10th Annual Lifesharing Conference on November 7th and 8th of 2022. The conference will take place in-person at Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor, PA. Registration is $200 through June 30th and $250 thereafter. Find more information on hotel accommodations and instructions on how to register(PDF, 760KB) on this flier.
More Information
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