Why Constellation Community Living?

The Constellation Community Model can accelerate the shift of society to develop understanding, compassion and appreciation for those with differences and bring value in which all members of the community thrive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Constellation Community Living is a new model for housing for individuals with special needs in Santa Clara County.  Our approach reflects our desire to create an interdependent community in which our children, as they move into adulthood, are part of an integrated community — feeling connected and adding value.

The special needs community is in a crisis now with respect to housing, employment and adult day programs.  This issue has a deep history, in that we have shifted from having those with disabilities being segregated in institutions (e.g., Agnews here in Santa Clara) toward policy that is intended to integrate individuals who are ‘neuro-atypical’.  Unfortunately, very little accommodation has been made for ensuring viable housing and adult day-program alternatives and funding are available.  The result is that the majority of adults with disabilities live in their parents’ home; while this is a viable and desirable solution for some, for many it is not practical nor doable.  At the same time, we are seeing an explosion of the autism population: DDS Autism Cases (Dept. of Social Services — i.e., significant disability) are expected to quadruple in California over the next 20 years.  Without real solutions, we will be in a dire situation into the next decades.  Many parents are stepping up to design solutions that are realistic and workable.

Our work is informed by a thought-leader on the topic of Social Capital in the Special Needs community, Al Condeluci.  Al’s premise is that every person adds value to the community, and that we all benefit by bringing together individuals based on common interests.  Al has helped us to see that our goal is to build interdependency, not simply independence for our children with special needs.  To that end, we are partnering with a handful of families, service organizations, and community organizations (especially the YMCA of the Silicon Valley — working in 2016 with COO Elizabeth Jordan and more recently with CEO Jim Hori); we are learning together how to make an interdependent model work.

Our model significantly contrasts one trend in housing options:  aggregate housing.  An example of this would be an apartment building or condo complex with all special needs individuals, or a farm where individuals can work and live.  My belief is that the children will thrive in these aggregate solutions, and they will be very safe and feel very connected to that site-based community.   I have seen this work well throughout the Bay Area (e.g.,  Cedars of Marin and Sweetwater Spectrum in Sonoma, both wonderful organizations).

In contrast, our model will require that we fully educate the broader community in which our adult children will live — this means neighbors, businesses, and community and public service organizations.  It is riskier, but I also believe that the reward is great — we have an opportunity to impact our community to make it a kinder place for all by having our children fully integrated into the natural community.

CCL creates a strong interdependent network of families, service providers, and local community partners.  This model can accelerate the shift of society to develop understanding, compassion and appreciation for those with differences and bring value in which all members of the community thrive.

• • Our vision is an interdependent model enabling adults with disabilities to fully engage in the local community for living, learning, recreation that enriches all.  A group of 5-10 adults live in a cluster of homes within their local community.  Adults benefit by staying within communities where they grew up and are known and supported.  Families, friends, and community members can readily connect with these young adults as they age.
  • This CCL model is now being piloted in Mountain View, where families are creating the first cluster of homes.  Homes may be purchased, leased, or converted from family homes; they will be within a one mile radius for walk-ability to each other and community resources (YMCA, Safeway, downtown.)
  • A team of caregivers from agencies chosen by the adult clients will provide care to residents across multiple homes.  Families of residents operate as a cohesive group supporting each other’s children.  A CCL coordinator provides continuity and cohesion.

Please reach out to me if you would like to join our CCL team as pioneers!

~Lisa  (lisa@zuegel.us)