Teen & Young Adult Advocacy

The transition to young adulthood is full of changes and questions as youth strive to establish their independence while continuing to develop their skills. During this critical stage of life, it’s beneficial for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be empowered to take a more active role in shaping their lives, while parents and caregivers often need guidance to help their loved one succeed. Our Teen & Young Adult Advocacy team supports people ages 14-34 with IDD and their families as they navigate this unique stage of life. 

Addressing Core Challenges and Goals

Our team can support individuals and families to learn about and get connected to various benefit programs and community resources, such as:

  • Jefferson County Human Services Case Management Agency and Home & Community Based Services
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Social Security
  • Supported Decision Making
  • Alternatives to Guardianship

Self-determination is at the core of what we do. We are here to empower teens and young adults to use their voices and be the driver of their own lives.

Collaborating with Families and Support Teams

Parents, teachers, case managers and other professionals can model self-advocacy skills, promote self-determination, provide coaching, and offer opportunities for Supported Decision Making. We are here to empower people to communicate with and foster strong, positive relationships with their team.

Clarifying Who We Serve

IDD is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual and/or adaptive behavior functioning, occurring before the age of 22. To learn more about how IDD is defined, click here.

Our services center around the shared IDD experience, not a specific diagnosis. That means we support people with IDD, including a wide range of disabilities such as Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and others that affect development across the lifespan. If someone contacts us and does not have an IDD, we’ll do our best to help them connect with other helpful resources. 

Things to Know

Our services are always free. We don’t want finances to create barriers to support. However, if you’d like to contribute, you’re welcome to make a donation to support our work. 

Click here to make a donation!

We do not duplicate services. If you’re already working with a private advocate, another agency, or an attorney, we will clarify each of our roles and identify ways to work collaboratively to avoid confusion or overlap. 

We do not serve as Representative Payees, Medical Proxy Decision-Makers, and/or take on new Legal Guardianships.  

Ready to Get Started? Advocacy Starts Here!

We’re here to listen, support, and advocate alongside you. 

Click here to submit a request for Individual & Family Advocacy!