Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
Finding Resources
Competencies: Community Living Skills and Supports; Community inclusion and networking
Get Focused
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- Identify the person’s strengths and challenges.
- Review the person’s current goals that involve community living or inclusion.
- Pinpoint a specific need or interest that relates to each goal.
- Research neighborhood, local, and regional opportunities.
- Choose 2–3 resources that he or she will contact.
Make an action plan
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- Map the steps that he or she will follow in contacting resources.
- Use visual supports to make the plan concrete, such as a flow chart, images that illustrate the steps involved, or a timeline/calendar for taking steps.
- Support him or her in creating a script to follow when he or she calls, speaks to, or emails a contact.
- Talk to the individual you support about the type of support he or she needs from you while he or she is making the contact.
- Support the individual in making the contact.
- If the resource is a good fit, review any follow up steps
needed to use the resource.
Try out the resource
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- Support the person in mapping the steps to try out the resource.
- Use visual supports to make the plan concrete, such as a flow chart, images that illustrate the steps involved, or a
timeline/calendar for taking steps. - Discuss with the individual how much support you will provide in trying out the resource.
- After he or she has used the resource, debrief with the
individual regarding his or her experience. - Provide support if she needs to find other resources or try that resource again.
- Map any next steps needed to continue pursuing the resource.
This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.