More than Just a New Addresss

Discovering the Promise of Supported Living: A Guide to Transformative Change

This insightful document, More than Just a New Address by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien, explores the shift from traditional residential services to supported living for people with developmental disabilities. ​ It highlights how supported living empowers individuals to live in homes of their choice, fostering inclusion, independence, and meaningful community connections. ​

The authors delve into the challenges and opportunities of this transition, emphasizing the need for agencies to rethink their organizational culture, structures, and use of power. ​ Supported living is more than finding new addresses—it’s about creating assistive relationships, building effective teams, and embracing a mindset that prioritizes personal choice, collaboration, and creativity. ​

Key themes include the importance of balancing individual needs with agency-wide goals, navigating service system constraints, and fostering relationships based on mutual respect and shared power. ​ The document also provides practical insights into managing crises, negotiating resources, and maintaining organizational integrity.

Readers will find a wealth of ideas on how to create inclusive environments, challenge outdated bureaucratic models, and embrace new ways of thinking about human services. ​ With real-world examples and thoughtful reflections, this paper is a must-read for anyone passionate about building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Whether you’re a service provider, policymaker, or advocate, this document offers a roadmap for transforming systems to better support people with disabilities in living fulfilling lives. ​ Dive in to learn how small changes can lead to big impacts in creating a world where everyone belongs. ​