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Lifetime Connections, a membership program of First in Families of North Carolina (FIFNC), offers essential support services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Founded in 1996 by parents, FIFNC provides resources through 13 local chapters, including Lifeline Project and Time Banks. We address critical questions about future planning and help families establish legal and informal support systems to ensure a secure and fulfilling life for their loved ones. Our initiatives promote community connections, personal networks, and workshops with professionals, empowering families and individuals to thrive.
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Lifetime Connections Eboni Blake Lifetime Connections Coordinator
First In Families of NC • Statewide nonprofit organization • Started by parents in 1996 • Array of family support services and programs
FIFNC Programs • 13 Local Chapters • Lifeline Project • Time Banks • Lifetime Connections • Future Planning
Values and Philosophy • Formal services & supports do not keep people happy or safe • Customer leadership • Capacity and contribution • Rich community • Relationships
Lifetime Connections • A membership based program of FIFNC since 2005 • People with any disability
Lifetime Connections helps to answer these questions • Lifetime commitment • Family/Individual support • Future Planning Support • Personal Networks
Future Planning with Lifetime Connections • Helps Families put in place legal and informal documents and natural supports towards creating a secure and good life for their loved one • Home • Employment • Relationships • Making contributions • Ensuring choice • *Wills/Estates planning • Maintain Database of Professionals
Future Planning with Lifetime Connections • Workshops with Professionals • One on One Consultation with LC Coordinator • Network Meetings • LC Socials • Lifetime Members resourcing with each other
Future Planning Workshops • Wills and Estates • Guardianship and Alternatives to Guardianship • Special Needs Trusts • Supported Decision Making • 7 Steps to Peace of Mind • Letter of Intent • Lifetime Connections Socials • Other Topics from LC Members
What is a Personal Support Network? Group of committed persons who: • Share interests with Focus Person • Desire to develop closer relationship • Help to realize dreams and achieve goals • Connect focus person to their community
What does the Network Do? • Creates a bridge to the community • Provides a source of support, advocacy, and companionship, and practical help • Provides relief for family • Secure relationships are built outside the family • Responsibilities are shared among a larger group of people • Family members feel renewed hope and energy • Develop independent relationships for loved one • Increased Social Health • Increased Confidence in themselves • Greater involvement in their community • Goals are set and achieved
Who can have a Personal Network? • What age? • What disability? • When to start?
How does a Personal Network provide lifetime support? • The network meets on a regular basis and brainstorms creative ideas • Members of the network volunteer to carry out those ideas • A facilitator keeps the network going • The network is flexible and responsive throughout the life of the person • Achieves Short and Long Term Goals
Building Network: Mapping out the Network • Facilitator spends time with Focus Person • Builds trust with Focus Person and Family • Establishes rapport with focus person • Facilitator Maps Out: • Focus Person’s Goals/Interests • Current Relationships • Family/Friends • Acquaintances • Past Relationships
Network Meetings • Social activities • Gives Network Members chance to socialize with Focus Person and other Network Members • Engaging makes it more than work • In/formal Meeting Session • Brainstorm Goals/Ideas • Updates on progress • Contributions by Network Members • Set next Network Meeting
What A Network Looks Like If… • Person has lots of different relationships and active in community • Q. What can the Network Do? • Strengthens Past/Existing Relationships with Focus Person • Connects the different persons together to build a network of support • Persons can find new ways to contribute
Relatives Neighbors Community Activities
Goals Community Interests
What A Network Looks Like if… • Person has few relationships and not active in community • Q. What can the Network Do? • Helps Rebuild Past/Existing Relationships with Focus Person • Connects person to community through interests/goals • Builds new relationships
Neighbors Relatives Community Activities Friends Peers
Goals Community Interests
Lifetime Connections • Eboni Blake, Lifetime Connections Coordinator • 919-251-8368 • eblake@fifnc.org • First In Families of NC • Betsy MacMichael, State Direct • betsym@fifnc.org www.fifnc.org