Connections

Decision-Making Skills

Supports for Being Independent

Why is independence important to me?

What do I do independently right now?

What kinds of things do I need to learn to do to be more independent?

What scares me about being independent?

What is my biggest challenge when it comes to being independent?

How can I make some good decisions about being independent?

Understand what independence means (read Being Independent on the Youthhood site, talk to my friends about what it means to them, etc.)

Make a list of things I want to do independently (live where I want to, pay my bills, etc.)

My ideas?

Accomplishments Tree

Family History

Picture Book

Why is my family important to me?

What have I learned from my family that will help me with my future goals?

Which of my family members can help me with my goals for independence? How can they help?

Do I want to have a family of my own some day? What would it be like?

Figure out how my family can help me to succeed as I leave high school (think about how they can help me apply for more school/training, think about how they can help me get a job, etc.)

Think about whether or not I want to have my own family someday (talk to my friends and family members about this, visit a day care center to see what it?s like being with kids or babysit!, etc.)

My ideas?

Getting Around

Why is it important to understand transportation options?

Where do I want to be able to go?

What are my options for getting there?

Which one seems like the best option for me?

How do I get around right now? Does this option work for me?

If I have a disability, do I need to plan for specialized transportation?

Learn about my options for getting to work (check out the bus system, look into buying a car, find out how far I live from work and if I could walk, etc.)

Learn how to use the bus system (get a route map, learn how to read the map, practice taking the bus with a friend or family member, etc.)

My ideas?

What does it mean to be safe?

How can I be safe at home and in my community?

Do I have a plan in case of an emergency at home?

What about if there?s an emergency when I?m out in the community?

Do I know how to protect and defend myself?

Do I know how to call the police and fire station in my community?

If I have a disability, what safety concerns do I have related to my disability and what can I do about them?

Learn about how to be safe at home (learn about fire safety, what to do in an emergency, etc.)

Learn about safety in my community (learn what to do if someone follows or attacks me, take a personal safety class, etc.)

My ideas?

Managing My Money

What do I need/want to pay for with the money I make?

What do I need to learn about money?

Why should I learn how to budget my money?

What worries me about managing my money?

Who can help me learn develop a budget and manage my money?

Do I want to live independently? If so, do I make enough money to do this?

Learn about budgeting (take a budgeting class through Community Ed, develop my own budget, etc.)

Learn about checking and savings accounts (visit a bank and collect information, open a checking or savings account, etc.)

My ideas?

Things I Do for Good Hygiene

What does good hygiene mean?

Why is good hygiene important to me?

How do I take care of myself now?

How can I take better care of myself?

Learn about good hygiene (visit Hygiene on the Youthhood site, try the activities, etc.)

Improve my hygiene (make a list of things I want to improve, visit the school nurse or my doctor for some advice, etc.)

My ideas?

Living Independently

What kind of place do I want to live in? An apartment with friends, an apartment on my own, a residential home, with my parents/guardians, etc.?

What kinds of things will I need to be able to do to live in this situation?

What can I do for myself right now to help me live in this situation sometime soon?

What excites me about living in this situation?

What worries me about living in this situation?

What are the housing options in my community?

Figure out where I want to live in the future (explore my options for a place to live, visit some of the options on my list, etc.)

Learn more about living in my own place (visit Finding My Own Place on the Youthhood site, try the activities, etc.)

My ideas?