Independent Living

Our Independent Living program provides long-term support and community to people with developmental disabilities who are either actively preparing for the transition to independent living or who are already living on their own.

Our Independent Living program consists of two offerings members can choose from:

• personalized coaching to help you set and reach your goals, build skills, navigate new situations, maintain government benefits, and connect with community resources
• social activities to help you build a community of peers and group of friends

Here's a deeper look at what's provided through our coaching services:

• annual assessment of skills to identify annual goals, quarterly objectives and monthly milestones
• creation of an annual plan focused on independent living, employment and quality of life
• creation and annual review of a continuity of care plan (to answer the family question: what happens when I'm gone?)
• help applying for and maintaining government benefits
• help hiring, training and managing direct care staff to ensure skill and goal attainment
• up to weekly, 45-minute life coaching sessions focused on your goals
• 24/7 emergency phone support for issues that cannot wait for the next life coaching session

Coaching is available to individuals who are planning to make the transition to independent living within a year and to individuals already living independently who live within 15 minutes' drive time of our office.

And here's an in-depth look at our social activities:

• classroom activities are 1.5 hours long and include:
  • bingo (1st week of each month)
  • creative arts (2nd week)
  • game night (3rd week)
  • dinner + an activity (4th week)
• community activities are 2.5 hours long and include:
  • bowling (1st week of each month)
  • community activity like the zoo, mini golf or local markets (2nd week)
  • community activity like museums and movies (3rd week)
  • meal at a restaurant (4th week)

Independent Living coaching costs:

• $600 per month for weekly coaching
• $300 per month for every-other-week coaching

Some members may be able to have their coaching costs paid by Medicaid through Community Living Services of Oakland County.

Independent Living social activities cost:

• $300 per month for twice-weekly social activities (one classroom-based activity and one community-based activity)
• $200 per month for once-weekly community activities
• $120 per month for once-weekly classroom activities

Our Independent Living social activities are currently on a wait list, though coaching is available. 

Please note, our Independent Living program does not include housing.

If you're interested in joining our Independent Living program, begin the application process here.

Please contact Emily Lourim, Director of Education, at emily@onmyownofmi.org or (248) 649-3739 x 221.