WisconSibs Journey Forward Workshops

Planning for the future is crucial for all adults as they navigate the changes that come with aging. However, for individuals with developmental disabilities—especially those who have relied on their aging parents for care—this planning becomes even more vital.

Key questions arise: Where will they live? Who will provide care? How will siblings be involved, especially if some live far away? What resources are available to support their needs?

That’s where WisconSibs’ Journey Forward course comes in. This program is uniquely designed for adult siblings and their families, helping them tackle the important aspects of future planning.

Through Journey Forward, families:

• Identify the essential tasks and steps for effective future planning
• Create a collaborative plan of action with their siblings
• Develop strategies to enhance family communication
• Prepare a “Letter of Intent” outlining care preferences and needs
• Get acquainted with their ADRC and other local resources

Without a solid plan in place, adults with disabilities may face disruptive transitions when family care is no longer feasible. This can lead to emergency placements in unsuitable environments and inadequate financial and legal protections, creating additional stress for siblings and other relatives. Proactively addressing these concerns through programs like Journey Forward is essential to ensure a smoother transition and a more secure future for everyone involved.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to initiate future planning for your sibling with disabilities and overcome common barriers faced by many families. You’ll receive tips on involving your sibling and other family members, and hear from local professionals about the importance of Special Needs Trusts, guardianship, and key legal and care issues.

Siblings will discover what’s essential for a successful plan, including options for housing, independent living, and financial management. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a written document outlining your sibling’s desired living arrangements, community role, and lifestyle preferences, along with practical guidance for maintaining continuity in their daily life and necessary supports.

With fewer than half of families having specific future plans in place, and many siblings unaware of existing arrangements, this workshop is a vital opportunity for siblings to connect, gain knowledge, and find peace of mind for the future. Siblings are encouraged to bring their brothers or sisters with disabilities, along with other important family members.

Can’t wait to get started?  Download the Journey Forward Letter of Intent 

Click HERE for Q & A about Journey Forward workshops

Click HERE for Q & A from adult siblings

Why Journey Forward?

“I participated in the first series of the Journey Forward program offered by WisconSibs with my sisters Katie and Melanie. Melanie has Down Syndrome and lives with our mother.

“Siblings attend together with their sibling who has a disability and talk about their dreams for the future; such as living arrangements, job planning, daily activities, spiritual life and personal relationships that would like to be maintained. Together, we outline in detail each segment of our sibling’s life and write out on paper what our thoughts are. We have individual discussions with our sibling and also group discussions with all of the program participants.

“It can be eye opening when you make the time to literally sit down with your sibling and ask direct questions about what their own dreams are. So often we make decisions for our sibling (or parents and caregivers make decisions for the person with the disability) without asking for their input and we assume we know what they want.

“The program gave us the tools to have the discussions in our family about planning. We also benefited from the conversations that we had with other adult siblings who are going through the same planning process such as us. During every session, we were all able to laugh together, cry together, and praise each other about our accomplishments; which were huge!

“I would definitely recommend this program to any family that has a person with a developmental disability within it. Even if you already have a concrete plan for that person, it is still a good idea to network with other siblings and share ideas, experiences and brainstorm with each other. We are not alone and we are blessed to have the existence of the Fox Valley Sibling Support Network (now WisconSibs) in our community.” – Anne Muller

Other Testimonials

• “I recently completed estate planning for some clients who are working through the WisconSibs on long-range planning for an adult sibling. They have done such good planning, and with excellent forethought! I’m really impressed with the effective practical tools that they are receiving from the network. Keep up the good work!” Ben A, attorney
• “If it weren’t for WisconSibs, we would not have made the life-changing steps in Joanne’s life and ours….’making the call’ to social services & getting the BIG ball running!!! Joanne’s involvement with her mentors continues to go extremely well and adds a never-thought-of dimension to the entire family’s well-being!!!!!” Linda D, sibling
• “What a wonderful event! Can’t thank you enough for these types of get-togethers that are so full of information. I am constantly learning about new things to research and share.” Katie G, sibling