PRINTER'S NO. 2608
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
531
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MURT, HILL-EVANS, KORTZ, DiGIROLAMO, SCHMITT,
KINSEY, LONGIETTI, BURNS, RYAN, BIZZARRO, MILLARD,
HOHENSTEIN, FREEMAN, YOUNGBLOOD, CALTAGIRONE, KIM, READSHAW,
MALAGARI, JOHNSON-HARRELL AND BROWN, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2019 as "Lifesharing Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Approximately 1,600 individuals with intellectual
disabilities receive lifesharing services in this Commonwealth
each year; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing involves having an individual with an
intellectual disability share his or her life with supportive
people who form a caring household; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing may happen in a provider's home or the
home of the individual with an intellectual disability, and
lifesharing may be offered by a couple, a single person or a
family; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of lifesharing is to enrich the lives of
individuals with intellectual disabilities by matching them with
an individual or a family who has chosen to open their home and
hearts; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing is a mutual experience, not a
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
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
unsustainable; and
20190HR0531PN2608 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
WHEREAS, Lifesharing costs less than both of these models
while providing more individualized support; and
WHEREAS, An average lifesharing budget is approximately
$45,000 per year compared to a community or group home budget of
approximately $150,000 per year; and
WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau's
statistics in 2005, by the year 2030, the number of caregivers
available to care for nearly 75 million individuals 65 years of
age or older will be vastly insufficient; and
WHEREAS, Our workforce cannot keep pace with the demand, so
there will not be enough workers to care for the baby boomers;
and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing may be an option for many of these
individuals; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing affords individuals with intellectual
disabilities opportunities for increased community
participation, potential for long-term relationships and the
ability to assume new social roles; and
WHEREAS, Lifesharing providers are advocates, friends and
mentors who share their homes with individuals with intellectual
disabilities and help them engage in community life, learn new
skills and make friends and good life choices that lead to
satisfying, safe and productive lives; and
WHEREAS, It is important to educate the public about
lifesharing and ensure that individuals with intellectual
disabilities are provided with information so that they may
choose lifesharing as a viable living arrangement; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of October 2019 as "Lifesharing Awareness Month" in
20190HR0531PN2608 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Pennsylvania.
20190HR0531PN2608 - 4 -
1