Target Audience

Parents/caregivers/students of children (students) with disabilities 17 years old or older.  

Objective

• The parents/caregivers/students will be able to locate guardianship resources concerning their individual situations.

Introduction/Activation/Anticipatory Set

·        At IEP, introduce parents with issue of guardianship.

• Do they know what they will do when their child becomes an adult?
• Can their child make decisions by themselves for themselves?
• Who would they like to make the decisions for their child?
• Do they realize their child with disabilities becomes their own guardian at the age of 18?
•  Offer website address to parents to locate information on guardianship

Learning Resources & Strategies

• State the fact that children with disabilities become their own guardian when they turn 18 years old.
• Introduce the website as an introduction to:
• what guardianship means.
• how it affects the parents/caregivers/students and their child with disabilities.
• how to obtain guardianship.
• alternatives to guardianship.
• Give parents/caregivers/students the website address to take home.
• Give parents/caregivers/students paper copies of some guardianship information.
• Have parents/caregivers/students contact the St. Louis Regional Center for guidance and assistance.
• Send home information of any seminars on guardianship or transition.
• Check for understanding by offering time for questions, comments, and verification of information from the parents/caregivers/students.
• Facilitate discussion between parents/caregivers/students.
• Offer time for parents/caregivers/students to discuss topic with each other.
• Respond to emails from parents/caregivers/students.

Evidence of Accomplishment of Objectives

• Parents/caregivers/students will complete a survey on guardianship informational websites that meet their individual needs.

Criteria and Means for Validating Evidence

• Consolidation of survey results from parents/caregivers/students.
• Parents/caregivers/students make an appropriate guardianship choice for their personal situation and turn in guardianship papers to be filed as needed.