Interdependent Living

The term interdependent captures the supportive interaction exemplified by the Whitecrow Village team.  An interdependent community is one in which all persons and the contributions they make are valued and respected equally; and where no one person is required nor expected to have all the answers.  It is a community in which a belief in the validity of each person’s perspective, skills, and insights allows us to collectively make healthy positive decisions.

The Whitecrow Village team designed unique living arrangements – rooted in principles of interdependence – that support and meet the needs of adults who are affected by FASD.  Specifically, the interdependent living program addresses the need for:

• Safety and self-direction within a trusted group
• Appropriate responsibilities and benefits
• A base from which to interact with the larger community
• Non-prescriptive guidance from peers and supporters
• Routine and structure
• A sense of being needed
• An unchanging postal address

The Interdependent Living Pilot Project concluded successfully and much sooner than anticipated with all participants moving on their own to long-term relationships, employment and housing.

Whitecrow Village established a home where 6 adults with FASD lived interdependently – 2 of whom were designated mentors. This unique living arrangement was the pilot from which we devised the necessary research and learning to inform similar projects in other communities.

In the preliminary planning stages of this pilot, project leaders, participants, and supporters discussed and agreed on the daily living structure for the successful interdependence of the occupants.  This structure was then very concretely transferred to the actual household by visiting the home and putting guidelines into place prior to taking residence.  Upon coming to live in the home, the project participants intentionally practiced the agreed upon structure and continued daily discussions to enhance their success and to refine the model.

The primary long term goal for this initiative was for these particular householders to achieve autonomy in their collective decision making while lessening need for external intervention and support.  It was anticipated that the fully developed model would demonstrate significant long-term cost savings as well as other benefits to governments and families, enabling more effective and appropriate allocation of funds.