THE PARTNERSHIP MODEL
Support Is a Shared Responsibility
Caring Forward operates on a partnership model between:
- The individual
- The sponsor and/or family
- Caring Forward as the licensed provider
Clear roles reduce confusion, minimize busywork, and allow everyone to focus on what matters most — stable, meaningful support.
This partnership is built on trust, communication, and shared accountability.
The Individual
Individuals are active participants in their own lives and services. Support is collaborative and grounded in mutual respect.
Individuals are encouraged to:
- Participate in services to the extent they are able
- Communicate honestly within established, trusting relationships
- Use their voice in ISP planning and ongoing conversations
- Explore new experiences at a safe and meaningful pace
- Maintain commitments while understanding that options, adjustments, and support are always available
Support exists to help individuals experience the life they want — not to rush progress or remove autonomy.
Sponsors / Families
Sponsors and families provide the daily, behind-the-scenes support that makes stability possible. Much of this work is invisible, but essential.
Sponsors are responsible for:
- Providing consistent daily support and supervision
- Observing patterns, changes, and needs
- Communicating openly about what they are seeing
- Participating in planning and review processes
- Documenting support honestly and accurately
Caring Forward recognizes that most sponsors are already doing the work. Our role is to help sponsors identify it, articulate it, and receive credit for it — without fear of being penalized for honesty.
Caring Forward’s Role
Caring Forward is responsible for:
- Oversight, guidance, and supervision
- Translating regulations into clear, real-life expectations
- Providing structure without unnecessary burden
- Supporting sponsors when challenges arise
- Protecting individuals, sponsors, and the agency through transparency
- Ensuring sponsors and staff have access to required and ongoing training
- Providing training and education that supports real-life caregiving
Caring Forward also offers a unique education and engagement program for adults with disabilities, focused on building understanding, participation, and skills related to daily living, communication, choice-making, and adult life responsibilities. This program is designed to support learning over time, reinforce skills through repetition, and complement the supports already in place.
If we know what is happening, we can help. Together through time and communication we can all thrive.