SUPPORTEDCOMMUNITY
and SHAREDLIVING

Latham Centers' Supported Community and Shared Living program options offer concentrated supports in two models of care. In our Shared Living Program, our adults are fostered in nurturing environments by individuals or families who open up their homes and hearts to them. In our Independent Living Program, our residents reside in their own homes while receiving supports in life management areas uniquely challenging to them. The over-arching goal of both programs is for our adult participants to lead successful lives as independent, engaged members of the community while meeting their changing life needs.

One of the critical steps for students at Latham is making the transition from adolescence to the adult world. “What will it be like when they leave our residential care?” “What kind of life might be possible, and what opportunities would make a difference?” Many of our students and family members have come to us with these kinds of questions.

The Adult Services Supported Community and Shared Living Programs help adult residents and answer these questions and provides residents with hands-on staff guidance, as they learn to make important decisions in their lives while continuing to work toward greater independence. Latham maintains Supported Community and Shared Living homes in local residential neighborhoods, close to health-care facilities. Residents might live with several housemates, in an apartment with another housemate, or in their own apartment. Some of the young adults initially require 24-hour support, seven days a week, while others need less. Levels of support are based on each person’s individual needs and goals.

All receive well-rounded exposure to a range of life experiences; for instance, caring for themselves and their homes, finding employment and doing well in a job, doing their own banking, grocery shopping and cooking, having fun in the community and meeting people with whom they can safely form healthy, long-term relationships. Individuals’ goals are driven by their own interests and tastes. Staff works with them to reach these goals, helping them to become as self-sufficient as possible.

To view the video of the Latham Players, click here.

To view the video of Shared and Community Living, click here.