On October 6th and 7th, the Pennsylvania Lifesharing Coalition hosted its 13th annual Lifesharing Conference in King of Prussia, PA. The conference, sponsored by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), brought together supports professionals, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or autism, and their families to engage in presentations about best practices for lifesharing.

What is Lifesharing?

Lifesharing means living with and sharing life experiences with supportive person or persons who form a caring household. Lifesharing offers an individual with a disability the opportunity to live with a family or individual who will support his/her desires and needs for an everyday life. The Pennsylvania Lifesharing Coalition seeks to promote, support and embrace the concept of lifesharing and the philosophies of self-determination and Everyday Lives.

Excellence in Lifesharing

Each year, the Lifesharing Coalition recognizes agencies and individuals for their outstanding Lifesharing practices – Those that develop innovative methods of supporting individuals in a lifesharing setting. The Excellence in Lifesharing Awards are presented to four individuals – one from each region – at the Lifesharing Conference each year. ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens had the honor of presenting this year’s awards to:

• Diane Clark – Keystone Human Services (Central Region)
• The Darborn-Schuster Family, Supports, Inc. (Western Region)
• Carol Williams – KenCrest (Southeast Region)
• Linda Futterer – Keystone Human Services (Northeast Region)

ODP thanks all of the nominees for their wonderful work supporting individuals, and congratulates the winners of this year’s Excellence in Lifesharing awards. For resources on Lifesharing, visit the ASERT Lifesharing Resource page.