Supported Decision-Making: Center for Youth Voice, Youth Choice Community of Practice
Promoting alternatives to guardianship for people with I/DD.
The Center for Youth Voice, Youth Choice (CYVYC) is a national resource center for youth with disabilities. CYVYC facilitates a national Community of Practice to promote alternatives to guardianship for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), which includes 11 state teams.
Diverse Ability Incorporated is leading the Sonoran Center and other organizations across Arizona in a multi-organizational State Team to promote alternatives to guardianship, like supported decision-making, for people with I/DD. The goal of promoting alternatives to guardianship is for people with I/DD to have greater independence and make important decisions about their life and health without the need of a legal guardian. Supported decision-making is one alternative that gives people with disabilities the chance to approach important decisions with the help of a team of their choosing. Ultimately, the person with disabilities has the final say, letting them keep their decision-making capacity.
The State Team fosters a rich dialogue around best practices, supports long-term change, and centers the voices of youth leaders in its work. The CYVYC provides their expertise, experience, and extensive technical assistance to State Teams. The Community of Practice members all work together to create lasting systemic reform in their states and support Youth Ambassadors to be leaders for change.
Contact
If you have questions or want more information, please contact:
Drew Milne at ucedd@arizona.edu.