WHEREAS, Lifesharing is a mutual experience, not a
hierarchical one; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing provides a place to live for individuals
with intellectual disabilities in which they can develop close
and committed personal relationships; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing, formerly known as Family Living, has
been provided in this Commonwealth for more than 30 years; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, a pilot lifesharing program officially
began with Threshold Rehabilitation Services, Inc., an agency
located in Reading; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing became a viable living arrangement for
individuals with intellectual disabilities; and
WHEREAS, By 1997, lifesharing was available in every county
in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with intellectual disabilities who live
with foster parents through children and youth services are able
to continue living in those homes through lifesharing when they
reach 21 years of age in order to provide consistency and
continuity of care; and
WHEREAS, Data comparison from a Statewide independent
monitoring of residential services from 2007 through 2010
indicates that lifesharing participants consistently had the
highest level of consumer satisfaction with where they live; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a significant waiting list for
individuals with intellectual disabilities requesting
residential services due to the aging of caregivers and an aging
population in need of support; and
WHEREAS, Current models of support, such as intermediate care
facilities similar to institutions and home-based and community-
based services, require 24-hour staffing and may be
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