What does it really mean to get guardianship?
What are other options to consider?
What is “Supported Decision-Making“?
Are you a family member or a supporter of a person with disabilities? Do you want to learn more about ways to support people with disabilities with decision-making about their lives?
In Massachusetts, when people turn 18 years old, they become legal adults. This means the law says they get to make their own decisions about their health care, education, finances, and other matters.
Parents of people with disabilities may be incorrectly told that going to court to get guardianship is the only way to remain involved in their child’s adult life. But that is not true. Getting guardianship is a serious step to take, and it is important to fully understand the consequences first. There are other options – including Supported Decision-Making – that may work better for people with disabilities and their families.
FREE Trainings in 2025
The Center for Public Representation (CPR) is collaborating with community partners to offer a number of free SDM trainings in 2025 that are geared towards families and supporters of people with disabilities in Massachusetts. The trainings are scheduled for January, February, March, and June. More information about these educational opportunities is listed below.
- January, February, & March 2025 – The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) and CPR are partnering on a series of three hybrid (virtual and in-person) trainings.
- The workshops will provide education on Supported Decision-Making, with each focusing on a different life area – education, health care, and finances.
- The workshops will be held during CMAA’s monthly support group meetings, with Khmer interpretation provided.
- The workshops will be held:
- January 25, 10 am – 12 pm ET on “Supported Decision-Making in Education” (training materials available here)
- February 22, 10 am – 12 pm ET on “Supported Decision-Making in Health Care“
- March 29, 10 am – 12 pm ET on “Supported Decision-Making in Finances“
- More information is available in this flyer – English and Khmer
- March 11 & March 18, 2025 – Conexiones Latinx-MA and CPR are partnering on webinars CLMA and CPR are partnering on webinars hosted by The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport on webinars in March.
- Entitled “Guardianship is Not the Only Option: Supporting Decisions in Adulthood,” these webinars are tailored to families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- The first webinar is scheduled for March 11, from 6-7:30 PM ET and will be presented in Spanish.
- The second webinar is scheduled for March 18, from 6-7:30 pm ET and will be presented in English (interpretation available upon request).
- June 10 & 12 2025 – Conexiones Latinx-MA and CPR are partnering on webinars hosted by the Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) in January.
- Entitled “Guardianship is Not the Only Option: Supporting Decisions in Adulthood,” these webinars are tailored to families and professionals who support people with behavioral and mental health disabilities, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are dually diagnosed.
- The first webinar is scheduled for June 10, from 6-8 pm ET and will be presented in English (interpretation available upon request).
- The second webinar is scheduled for June 12, from 6-8 pm ET and will be presented in Spanish.
- Stay tuned for registration information.
