One of the concerns that parents may have when it comes to an HIE diagnosis is whether or not a child will be able to live independently. Because every individual child’s diagnosis can vary in severity, it can be difficult to say how HIE will impact the child’s abilities as they grow. Some children have little to no functional differences, other may have learning disabilities, others may have cognitive disabilities, while others may require long-term intensive medical care. While this site cannot provide insight into an individual child’s future trajectory, it can provide useful information regarding available income options. These options can vary significantly based on geographic location and other factors, so it is often best to contact your local or state Department of Human Services in order to determine what options are available in your area. These organizations often maintain extensive lists of service providers that can accommodate a widely varying degree of disability.
Often, individuals with disabilities can often be enrolled in supported living arrangements, supported employment, or pre-vocational training programs, which are geared towards helping the individual gain the skills needed to work and earn an income. These programs are often combined with housing programs to create a living program that allows some individuals to maximize their independence. Vocational training programs are available from numerous sources. The following organizations provide information on how to find vocational training services in your state:
- The U.S. Department of Labor
- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
- The Arc
- Parent Center Hub (Database Resource)
- Family Resource Guide
Other career assistance programs that are available include:
- Vocational rehabilitation centers
- One-stop career centers
- Ticket to Work programs
- Client Assistance Programs
- American Job Centers
- Career-related programs offered by Centers for Independent Living
One option that used to be more prevalent in the past, called sheltered workshops, is currently being phased out in favor of community-integrated work to comply with best practices in developing environments of least restriction. Programs sponsored by government agencies, such as the Disability Employment Initiative, can also provide informational resources for job-seekers.