Toolkit on Self-Determination and Decision-Making Supports

Abstract

This project is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Adult guardianship is being disproportionately assumed and utilized by social workers, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), when DCYF dependent youth transition into adult services with the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA). A meta-analysis of research shows a positive correlations between increased self-determination (choice) and increased short and long-term health. Additional research shows the negative impacts of guardianship on self-determination, and the growing support for less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, like supported decision-making (SDM). Self-determination is increased, the less restrictive a decision-making arrangement is. Despite research and state laws to prioritize less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, social workers continue to prioritize guardianship for those they support, and rarely discuss or utilize less restrictive alternatives. Ethics of social work emphasize the need for social workers to balance client safety and choice, when supporting clients with adult decision-making protective arrangements. Several barriers and needs are assessed on this problem, utilizing research and stakeholder interviews with DCYF and DDA. An intervention of the "Supported Decision-Making Toolkit," is proposed as a document of information and resources aimed at increasing competency on self-determination and less restrictive alternatives to guardianship. The toolkit should help social workers to better make that balance of maximizing self-determination while meeting health and safety concerns. This should lead to smoother transitions for DCYF youth going into adulthood and increased quality of life.