A Guide to Building and Using Your Support Team

Your Life, Your Choices

Making decisions about your life is important. You have the right to choose, and you don’t have to do it alone. This guide will help you build a team of people you trust and show you how to work with them to make good choices.

You are always in charge. Your team is there to help you, not to decide for you.

Part 1: Building Your Support Team

Think of your support team like a sports team. Each person has a special job, and they all work together to help you. It's smart to have a small team of two or three people.

Choosing Your Trusted People

First, think about who you want on your team.

• Who to include: This could be family members who listen, friends who respect you, or other people in your community you trust.

• What to look for: The best helpers want what is best for you. Look for people who have these things:

  • Trust: Choose people you trust completely.

  • Availability: Make sure they have the time to help when you need it.

  • Understanding: Pick people who know what is important to you in life.

  • Avoid Conflicts of Interest: It's best if their own needs don't get in the way of making the right choice for you.

Giving People Different Jobs

One person doesn't have to do everything. You can give people jobs based on what they are good at.

• The "Money Manager": This person can help you pay bills or check your bank accounts.

• The "Health Advocate": This person can go with you to the doctor or help you understand your health care.

• The "Family Communicator": This person can help keep family and friends up to date.

Talking to Your Team

Once you know who you want to ask, it's time to talk to them.

• Choose a quiet time to talk.

• Explain what you need and how they can help.

• Share your values, wishes, and preferences so they know what you want.

• Set clear rules. Be very clear about what they can see or help you decide. For example, "You can help me check my bank account, but I will be the one to spend the money."

Part 2: Making Good Choices with Your Team

Once your team is ready, they can help you think through choices.

Use Your Values to Guide You

When you have a choice to make, ask yourself these questions:

• Does this choice match what I believe in? (Your Values)

• Will this help me get what I hope for? (Your Wishes)

• Does this let me keep doing the little things I enjoy? (Your Preferences)

Get Information You Can Understand

You have the right to know all your options. If something is confusing, it's okay to ask for help.

• Say, "Please explain that in simple words."

• Say, "Can you write that down for me?"

• Take your time. You can say, "I need some time to think about this."

Speaking Up for Yourself

You are the most important person on your team. It is always okay to speak up.

• You can disagree. You can say, "That's not what I want," or "This doesn't feel right for me."

• You can ask for a break. If you feel tired or pushed, it's okay to stop and rest. You can always ask for a second opinion.

Part 3: Turning Your Choices into Action

A choice only matters when you do something about it.

• Make a plan: Break the choice down into small, easy steps.

• Decide who does what: What will you do? What will your support person do?

• Get help with the details: Your supporter can make phone calls or fill out forms for you. But you should always be the one to give the final "yes" or "no" and sign important papers.

• Check in: Ask for updates to make sure the plan is working. It's okay to make changes if you need to.

By building a team, you are being a smart manager of your own life. This plan helps you stay in control.

Disclaimer: This guide contains general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always seek professional advice for your specific situation.