Creating Family Networks

Our unique approach to finding housing solutions for adults with disabilities

A group of 15 people, members of a Housing Cohort, standing on the stairs and smiling at the camera
Woman with disabilities smiles with her hands over her heart
A group of 7 people, members of a Housing Cohort, standing around a dining room table and smiling
Two young men smiling in their kitchen, each holding a full plate of food. One man makes a "thumb up" gesture, the other mans a "rock on" gesture.
Two men with disabilities smiling in their kitchen, one man is waving at the camera and serving food from the pot to a plate
A group of 12 people, members of a Housing Cohort, standing together and smiling in a living room
Young woman with disabilities sitting in a blue chair on her porch and holding up her coffee mug

Figuring out the right housing setting for your loved one is a complex journey, with few signposts or directions. We are here to help.

Find a solution through Creating Family Networks.

After completing readiness milestones (like Workshops or Monthly Resource Meetings) we invite you to enroll in Creating Family Networks. This unique housing program is specifically developed to support families who are preparing their family member with disabilities to move out within 12-18 months.

You can expect to join and connect with a small group of similar families. We’ll guide, support, facilitate and work together to find housing solutions for your family member with disabilities.

How It Works

Icon of three people standing together

We connect and build a cohort of families 

Working in a group of other families enables family members to build friendships for mutual support; find or develop housemate relationships; share diverse skills and resources; develop a vision for housing in the community; establish community partnerships; set forth criteria for housing and supports solutions; and finally – implement a housing plan.

Already have a partner family or small group? Please let us guide your journey! Looking to connect with others but don’t have partners? Not a problem - we will recruit a cohort to work together. Families do not need to be in the same geographic area to participate. Each family works on their own solution, though families often pair to work together in a shared setting.

 
Thought bubble with a house inside

Start with the hopes, dreams and needs of the individual

Our process is both person-centered and family-oriented, allowing for families to develop and implement the vision that works for the particular needs of their loved one.

 
One person under a roof

Led by a trained facilitator, your cohort will work through a structured, housing-focused curriculum

Each cohort follows a structured curriculum and is led by a trained facilitator. Our facilitators engage groups to develop their own leadership, help manage relationships, provide access to resources and keep the group focused on the end goal: housing!

Our curriculum for Creating Family Networks includes: 

  • Attention to long-term planning 

  • Finding the right supports for your loved one

  • Building skills for independence

  • Practicing Emotional (and other) readiness

  • Locating appropriate housing settings

  • Recruiting housemates

  • Building community

“Without all of the knowledge and experiences that we gained through Families CCAN, especially through our Housing cohort membership, we would not have been as successful or as quick to move Emily to her new home.

Sally
Newtown Square, PA

Successful Housing Solutions

  • A group of 15 people smiling at the camera

    Ardmore, PA

    Six individuals are currently housed in a variety of settings: rented apartments, townhome purchase, twin home purchase.

    Each family chooses a service provider of their own for support staff. Families selected Ardmore as a welcoming place for adults with disabilities to live, work and play.

  • A group of 7 people smiling at the camera

    Center City, Philadelphia

    Two individuals are renting apartments in buildings with amenities like: on-site staff, exercise rooms and communal spaces. We are encouraging other individuals to move there as well, to build a neighborhood and community feel within one apartment building.

  • A group of 12 people smiling at the camera

    Northwest Philadelphia

    Two individuals are planning for a shared rental where the neighborhood is familiar and they know many community partners. They can also share some staffing from their service provider.

  • A man with disabilities and a woman laugh together at a table on the porch

    Elkins Park, PA

    Two individuals plan to share a residence. They plan to use supports from different service providers. One individual will stay in his family’s home and welcome a housemate while family members relocate. Staying in place ensures familiarity, safety and continuity.

We also gained an amazing group of friends through our cohort. Our ‘kids’ are all very unique with different support needs. The common ground has been supporting each other to identify the best model for our families and moving forward with that plan.”

Sally
Newtown Square, PA

Join Our Next Cohort!

Fill out the form below if you’re interested in joining our next cohort. We will be in touch shortly!

We currently support three family network cohorts in the greater Philadelphia area. Beginning in late 2022, Families CCAN will be recruiting new cohorts of families who have completed specified readiness milestones and are prepared for their family member to move out within 12-18 months.

As preparation for that stage, we offer several Workshops to help families develop, practice and implement readiness for themselves and their family members. We also encourage attendance at our Monthly Resource Meetings to begin networking with other families and to gain new ideas and information about your independence journey.

 

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