Lifesharing means living with and sharing a life experience with supportive persons who form a caring household. Lifesharing is recognizable as a close personal relationship and a place to live. Over 2,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities in Pennsylvania are now part of this growing residential choice.

• WATCH THE LIFESHARING VIDEO TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO BECOME A PROVIDER!
  
  KenCrest has been supporting people in LifeSharing since 1985 with over 20 years of experience.
  
  Residential choices in Lifesharing include:
  • Individuals living with families in the community.
  • Roommate type living situations.
  • Persons or families moving into the home of the individual with developmental disabilities.
  
  Lifesharing offers:
  • The opportunity to choose where and with whom you live.
  • Supportive relationships in the community.
  • Exploration of creative possibilities for the future.
  
  
  Lifesharing is a process in which the key is to find a family or person to share their lives. All people involved take the time needed to get to know each other, including visits and spending time together prior to the move. This process is individualized and is based on the commitment of everyone involved in supporting the relationship.
  
  
  Lifesharing Provider Qualifications
  • Home Study
  • Criminal and Child abuse clearances.
  • Personal and professional reference checks.
  • Home inspection
  • Regulatory oversight
  • Physicals for all house-hold members.
  • Home visits
  • Minimally 24 hours of pre-service and annual training.
  
  Lifesharing Supports at KenCrest
  • Support from the entire team which is based upon the individual and careful listening to his/her dreams and life goals.
  • Provide coordination of medical care.
  • Involve team meetings for planning.
  • Provide a tax-exempt monthly stipend for room, board, and care to the Lifesharing provider.
  • 24 hours a day / 7 days a week availability of management or On-Call emergency support.
  • Respite services
  
  Availability:
  Lifesharing is available in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
  
  
  For more information contact:
  
  Carrol Reckard
  creckard@kencrest.org
  Director of LifeSharing
  610-487-1582, Ext 16
  
  
  Additional Resources:
  
  Information for People Receiving Supports and their Families about the College of Direct Support:
  
  The College of Direct Support is a web-based learning system that provides important information on many topics of significance to people with developmental disabilities and others in their lives. The College provides carefully designed training in many key areas, including:
  
  
• Safety at Home and in the Community
• Supporting Healthy Lives
• Individual Rights and Choices
• Community Inclusion
• Cultural Competence
• Person-Centered Planning and Supports
• Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults and Children
  
  If you are a person receiving supports through your local Mental Retardation Office, or a family member of a person receiving supports, you can take all courses in the College of Direct Support free of charge. This is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. For more information, go to the website at: http://www.collegeofdirectsupport.com/pa/, or contact Sherri Graven (814-542-02501) cdssupport@tiu11.org.
  
  
  Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation
  Pennsylvania Lifesharing
  Job Opportunities at KenCrest