We were working with two families who were interested in developing a shared living arrangement for (one son and one daughter), who had been living in a small medical institution in Vancouver. 

The families created an extensive list of ideas, qualities and ‘desiderata’ – a description of exactly what they were looking for in the staff who would care for their children (those notes are included below).  The description would be used for recruitment, screening, training, and supervision – benchmarks that could be used by the families, the provider agency and the funder to guide and track performance.

Based on those notes, we created some suggested text for ads (next item), which were then edited by the family and the agency (following item), and run in local newspapers and placed as flyers on university bulletin boards, etc.  The ads (and the related selection, training and supervision processes) worked – J. and M. are living successfully in their own home, and the families are happy.

This is the original suggested text for ads:

We are looking for a mature, stable couple to help two young adults with disabilities establish a warm, welcoming and happy home in an artists’ live/work space in Kitsilano.  The couple will share a unique living arrangement and will have access to a private studio apartment for their ‘off’ hours.  They will work as part of a creative team to establish the household, facilitate community connections for the young man and woman, and help coordinate the work of other assistants. 

Direct physical care and a respectful, encouraging relationship with the young man and woman will be essential elements of this unique work/life opportunity.  Ideally, the couple will bring their own rich network of personal relationships and interests into the household.  Good common sense, flexibility, and a willingness to receive direction in a team environment will be essential qualities.  A generous remuneration package, ample time to pursue outside interests, and high levels of supervisory support will be part of the compensation package.

This is the text that was eventually used in the advertisements:

Life-Sharing Opportunity: Dream Makers and Vision Builders Wanted!

J. and M. are two young people with a lifetime of opportunities ahead of them.  Their parents envision futures for them which will reach beyond anything they have yet experienced.  Soon, J. and M. will be moving into their own home, an exciting artists’ live/work community in Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC.

[The agency] is working in partnership with J. and M. and their families.  We are looking for a responsible team of two adults to support J. and M. in their home and as active participants in their new community.

The support required includes a substantial amount of direct physical care, and coordination of other resource people involved in their lives.  Training will be provided.  This opportunity offers a way to integrate heartfelt values and attitudes into a practical, purposeful life-style choice.

If you are willing to be accountable to a team, respect differences in others, have a rich network of relationships, thrive on new initiatives, use practical common sense, and would be able to relocate, please contact [the agency].

Here are the detailed notes from the discussion with the families that led to the proposed and eventual text for the recruitment ads:

Direction:

Qualities that we are looking for in live-in staff for J. and M.: