The Supported Living Group

09/12/2025

🌱🐓 Incredible things are happening for our ABI Waiver participants in the Bethany region through our partnership with Healing By Growing Farms!

At their East Haven micro farm, participants have the chance to connect with nature, learn new skills, and experience the therapeutic benefits of animal care. The photos here feature JT engaging in animal husbandry with HBG’s chicken population—an opportunity that builds confidence, responsibility, and joy through hands-on experiences. 💚

We are grateful for partnerships that open doors to growth, healing, and community connection.

09/12/2025

✨ Autism doesn’t end at childhood; it’s a lifelong journey. And just like every journey, having the right supports can make all the difference. https://theconversation.com/autism-is-lifelong-heres-what-support-looks-like-in-adulthood-264121

We at SLG believe in helping adults with ASD live fulfilling lives; connected, purposeful, and supported. A recent article, “Autism Is Lifelong: Here’s What Support Looks Like in Adulthood,” reminds us that as individuals age, their needs evolve, as do their strengths.

Here’s how SLG is here to help in Connecticut:

🚀 ASD Waiver Services
Our ASD Waiver Program offers tailored supports to meet those evolving needs: life skills coaching, community inclusion, supports around employment, social connection, and more. Designed to empower, sustain, and enrich adulthood for people with ASD.

💡 Private-Pay Services
For those who may not yet qualify for Medicaid waiver services, or who want supplemental supports, SLG also offers private-pay options. Think flexibility, choice, and individualized planning.

If you or a loved one are a young adult, adult, or family looking for services that honor long-term goals and changing needs, we’d love to talk with you! Reach out to learn what supports might be right—because aging with autism deserves both respect and opportunity.

📞 Contact us at 860-481-2213 or message us here on Facebook to get started.

09/11/2025

Yesterday, members of our Executive Team had the privilege of attending the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wallingford.

This full-day event provided valuable insights and updates on the home care environment in Connecticut, including:
✅ Connecticut home care policy and legislation
✅ Achieving a sustainable Medicaid rate increase for home care
✅ Homecare Market trends
✅ Navigating legal pitfalls in home care operations
provided excellent opportunities to connect with fellow home care provider agencies and industry professionals, thereby strengthening collaboration and knowledge sharing
Beyond the informative sessions, the conference created excellent opportunities to connect with fellow home care provider agencies and industry professionals, strengthening collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the sector.

At SLG, we remain committed to staying informed, engaged, and connected, providing the highest quality of non-medical care and advocacy for those we serve. 💜

09/11/2025

🌉🍔 Burgers on the Bridge – Community, Art, and Connection

Last night, several of our ABI Waiver participants from our Avon service region had the joy of joining the 11th annual “Burgers on the Bridge” event at the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge in Simsbury.

Guests enjoyed delicious burgers, hot dogs, desserts, and drinks while taking in the vibrant Georgia O’Keefe-inspired flower displays and the peaceful backdrop of the Farmington River.

The evening also featured live painting from talented local artists Catherine Elliott, Deborah Leonard, and Lori Racicot-Burrous, making it a perfect blend of food, art, and community.

At SLG, we believe in the power of community-based engagement to support healing, connection, and joy for individuals living with brain injury. Last night was a wonderful example of how inclusive local events create space for all of us to celebrate life together. 💜

09/05/2025

🎙️ SLG Featured on Feeney Talks With Friends! 🎙️

We’re proud to share that our Executive Director, Jamie Arber, was recently interviewed on Feeney Talks With Friends — Episode #147. In this conversation, Jamie highlights the mission of The Supported Living Group and our work supporting individuals with acquired brain injury and autism throughout Connecticut.

A big thank you to Eric Feeney for the opportunity. Eric is not only a dedicated educator but also the founder of the Friends of Feeney Foundation, which provides assistance and support to children and families who need it most. Through his podcast, Eric brings the community together, shining a light on organizations and individuals making a difference.

We encourage you to check out this episode to learn more about SLG’s vision for compassionate, community-based support and to follow Eric’s work, which continues to inspire and strengthen our communities.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xU8Hr8R3Lo

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09/04/2025

Exciting developments in neuroscience could soon change the way we treat brain injuries. Researchers have unveiled a promising new pill that may help repair brain damage and accelerate recovery. This innovative approach targets the underlying mechanisms of injury, offering hope for faster healing and improved outcomes.

While still in the early stages, this discovery represents a significant step forward in brain health. As we continue to explore and support advancements in medical science, this breakthrough brings renewed optimism for those affected by brain injuries.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. For more detailed information, visit https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/science/neuroscience-brain-injury-pill.html

Neurologists are exploring medications that would help the brain heal itself after a stroke or traumatic injury.

09/04/2025

The raised flower beds, nurtured by participants and staff, are bursting with color and life. From vibrant blossoms to lush greenery, this shared space is more than a garden—it’s a place of creativity, calm, and connection. 🌿💛At SLG, we believe that growth happens both in the soil and in the spirit. These gardens are a living example of how nurturing care and community can transform a space into something beautiful.

09/03/2025

At Supported Living Group, we stand with brain injury survivors and their families every day, but stories like Kendra Winner's remind us just how broken the care system remains.

Her son Aidan, now 20, suffered devastating brain injuries in a car crash nearly two years ago, requiring 10 surgeries, 80 days in ICU, and constant 24/7 care. Despite progress, he's been bounced between facilities, denied coverage by insurance like Harvard Pilgrim, and stuck on waitlists for essential rehab. Massachusetts lacks dedicated pediatric options for TBI/ABI, and programs like MassHealth waivers only cover half his needs, leaving families like Kendra's overwhelmed and terrified.

Unfortunately, this isn't just one story or an issue isolated to Massachusetts; it's a systemic failure: gaps in rehabilitation, unreliable private hire personal care assistants, and no coordinated support from day one.

There is a growing and urgent need for change: expanded sub-acute rehab for all ages, more skilled nursing facilities equipped for brain injury recovery and shorter waitlists for community-based brain injury support programs.
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Read Kendra's full plea here: https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/a-mothers-plea-fix-the-broken-continuum-of-care-for-brain-injury-survivors/

As if the agony of his horrific injury weren't enough, I’ve also been forced to wage another relentless battle—this one against a cold, indifferent private health insurance industry that treats my son like a number instead of a life worth fighting for.

08/29/2025

We recently connected our Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) support group project to the work of artist Alexander Calder, who we explored earlier this month. Known for imaginative mobiles, including a playful series of fish, Calder inspired us to create our own version of a “Calder fish” using paint, sea glass, and cardboard.

Just as fish often swim together for safety and belonging, our group reflected on the importance of finding your “pod” or support network. These monthly BIAC gatherings combine peer support and expressive arts to foster connection, reduce isolation, and uplift the spirit.

✨ Mark your calendars: our next meetup is September 17th at 1pm!
Take a look at past BIAC support group projects here: https://www.inspireartsct.com/biac-supportgroup-creativity

08/23/2025

⚾️ Weekend plans don’t slow us down! At SLG, our industry-leading brain injury support services continue every day of the week.

This weekend, ABI Waiver participant BT and his dedicated support staff enjoyed the NY Yankees vs. NY Mets matchup — proving that community integration, fun, and quality of life are at the heart of what we do.

Because recovery, purpose, and joy don’t take days off. 💙

08/23/2025

We’re very thankful to Today Magazine for highlighting our Inspire Arts program!

Inspirational Initiative • https://www.todaypublishing.net/post/inspire-arts-principals • Here's an exclusive interview with the managers of Inspire Arts — a distinctive program dedicated to supporting artists who have suffered a traumatic brain injury