Support for Siblings of Disabled Adults

Thrown Into It

A done-with-you support system helping siblings build a clear path—without drowning in stress and confusion.

 Sibling,

You’ve stepped up in ways no one else understands.

 It’s your turn to get the help you deserve.

Happy young man with Down syndrome sitting in nature with his sister, looking at the view through binoculars—symbolizing sibling caregiving, disability support, and future planning for adults with developmental disabilities

You’re juggling everything...and it’s unsustainable.

You’ve been managing guardianship papers, benefits, doctor visits, care teams, and the countless daily problems.

You’ve fought hard to protect your sibling’s well-being—and sacrificed time, money, and energy to make sure they’re okay.

And now… you’re worn down.

Your own life is full: work, family, and everything in between.
But deep down, you know: you’re the one holding it all together—and it’s too much.

The idea of setting up long-term support feels overwhelming.
You’re carrying so much already—and it’s hard to know where to even begin.

Everyone assumes you’ve got it under control.

The Truth?

You’re scared.


And you’re still doing this alone.

 Senior African-American woman walking outdoors with her adult brother in a wheelchair—representing sibling caregiving, disability support, and future planning for adults with developmental and physical disabilities

It's not just one thing... it's everything.

The responsibility is crushing at times.


You’re carrying so much—and it’s hard to know where to even begin.

📄You’re constantly tracking paperwork, deadlines, and services


🛑You’ve been meaning to figure out next steps, but keep hitting roadblocks


😨You’re terrified of what will happen if something happens to you

⚠️You’ve started to realize there are gaps in the plan—and no clear backup


😔You feel guilty for not having it all figured out—and too overwhelmed to keep pushing through

You’re exhausted.

You’re scared of making the wrong move.

And you’re still doing this alone.

You didn’t plan for this—but it landed on you anyway.

It's time to set up lasting support that actually works.

 

 

Caring sister supporting her middle-aged brother with autism—highlighting sibling caregiving, autism support, and future planning for adults with developmental disabilities

There’s real help...and you deserve it.

Most siblings don’t.

You were handed this responsibility with no training, no guidance, and no roadmap— yet you’re expected to handle guardianship, benefits, housing, and daily care like a professional.

You don’t need another brochure, checklist, or a one-time consult.

You need a partnersomeone who can work alongside you to make sure your sibling’s care is stable, sustainable, and safe.

Whether you’re just starting to take over or already deep in the overwhelm, this is support that helps you move forward—with clarity, peace, and confidence.

Well-groomed adult woman with disabilities in a wheelchair beside her sister—representing sibling guardianship, disability advocacy, and long-term planning for adults with developmental and physical disabilities

The Truth: Why this feels so hard.

You’re not failing!

You’re navigating a broken system while carrying a lifetime of love, guilt, and responsibility.

Here’s what you’re up against:

⚖️You became guardian without any real instructions

⏳Your sibling is on the waitlist—or has services, but no real plan

🏠Medicaid, housing, and waiver services are confusing and full of red tape

🤹You’re juggling caregiving, your own family, and a job—with no backup

‼️You’re terrified that missing one step could undo everything you’ve worked for


And still—people expect you to manage it all perfectly.

 Adult autistic man with a worried expression—representing caregiver stress, unmet support needs, and the urgency of future planning for adults with autism and developmental disabilities

 It Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming.

You’re already doing so much—and the weight you’re carrying is real.
But building long-term, sustainable support for your sibling can feel manageable.

The support you've been waiting for...

✔️ Access the Right Resources: Stop chasing endless information. Get direct access to programs and services that actually work.

✔️ Build Your Care Team with Ease: Hire caregivers who are the right fit—quickly and confidently.

✔️ Craft a Seamless Care Plan: Get a step-by-step framework that covers housing, medical needs, staffing, and more—aligned with your sibling’s real needs.

✔️ Cut Through the Noise with Clarity: Forget the jargon. You’ll get clear, actionable steps you can follow with confidence.

✔️ Prepare Successor Caregivers: Make sure your sibling is supported—no matter what.

✔️  Support Through the Toughest Decisions: Gain the backup you need to navigate big emotional decisions with clarity and strength.

Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home

The Cost of Going It Alone...

Trying to manage all of this by yourself has already cost enough:

1000s of hours of stress, research, and trial and error


💸 Tens of thousands of dollars in missed benefits and services


😣 The daily fear that something will fall apart—and no one else will catch it


It’s about making sure your sibling is protected and supported—even if you can’t always be the one managing it.

 

senior men at nature

What's Holding You Back? 

The responsibility landed on your shoulders—whether you felt ready or not.
And now you’re managing care, benefits, and daily decisions that feel overwhelming.

You love your sibling. You want the best. But you’re scared of what could happen if you miss something important.

Here’s the truth:

You don’t have to do this alone.

Together, we’ll build a plan that protects your sibling’s future—and takes the weight off your shoulders. No more guessing. No more fear.

What You Can Expect:

A Personalized Path for Peace of Mind: You won’t be left to figure it out solo. We’ll create a clear, sustainable care plan that fits your sibling’s real needs—and yours.

Clear, Step-by-Step Guidance: Know exactly what’s next. From benefits to housing to guardianship, every piece will be broken down into simple, manageable steps.

A Trusted Partner in Your Corner: With 12+ years of experience, Samantha is here to walk beside you—offering clarity, strategy, and support at every turn.

Reliable, Ongoing Support: Together, we’ll set up a strong system so your sibling’s care keeps running smoothly—even when you need to step back or take a break.

You’ve taken on a huge responsibility.


You deserve to have someone in your corner. 

 

 Autistic adult man walking a dog with his sister and caregiver—highlighting sibling caregiving, autism support, and inclusive community living for adults with developmental disabilities

Ready to Stop Guessing?

You don't have to do this alone.

Let’s figure out how to make your sibling’s care sustainable—now and for the long haul.

What exactly is this program?

This is a done-with-you support program specifically designed for siblings of adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities—including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more.

Samantha acts as your dedicated mentor and partner, guiding you step-by-step through the complex process of taking over care responsibilities and setting up lasting, sustainable support for your sibling’s future.

Here’s what you can expect:

Personalized Mentoring: One-on-one guidance tailored to your unique family situation.


Streamlined Resource Access: Help connecting to Medicaid waivers, PDS (Participant-Directed Services), housing, and benefits.


Step-by-Step Support: Collaborative help creating a clear, manageable framework for care, guardianship, staffing, medical coordination, and beyond.


Navigational Expertise: Assistance in understanding the maze of applications, systems, and requirements.


Emotional Backup: Support as you process the fear, guilt, and overwhelm that can come with this sudden role.


This program empowers you to take meaningful action—so your sibling’s care is secure, even when you're no longer the backup plan but the person in charge.

Who is this program for?

This program is built for siblings who have stepped (or are stepping) into caregiving roles for their adult brother or sister with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s designed for those who are:

  • Newly named guardians or representatives
  • Juggling paperwork, benefits, and daily care
  • Overwhelmed and unsure how to manage it all,
  • Worried about what will happen if something falls through the cracks

Feeling alone and unsupported in navigating disability services.

Whether your sibling has autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or other developmental disabilities, this program offers practical, personalized guidance to help you build a strong, sustainable care framework.

 

What kind of assistance does this program offer?

Access customized, hands-on support for sibling caregivers of adults with disabilities, including:

Access to the Right Disability Services: Direct guidance on navigating Medicaid waivers, PDS (Participant-Directed Services), housing resources, and disability support programs.


✅ Building a Care Team: Help with recruiting, hiring, and managing caregivers who are a good fit for your sibling’s unique needs.


Guardianship & Legal Guidance: Support understanding guardianship responsibilities and ensuring legal documents are in place.


Personalized Care Strategy: A practical, step-by-step approach to help you set up sustainable care services that take the stress off of you. 


✅ Emotional & Practical Support: Someone to walk beside you through tough decisions, system frustrations, and long-term planning—without judgment.

I'm already overwhelmed. How much time will this take?

This done-with-you approach is designed to make your role easier, not harder. We’ll work at a manageable pace, breaking the process down into clear, bite-sized steps so that it feels achievable, not exhausting.

The goal is to help you build long-term sustainability while respecting the fact that your time, energy, and emotions are already stretched thin.

 

How is this different from other resources that haven't helped me in the past?

Most free services or one-time consults only scratch the surface—or leave you to figure things out on your own after a quick meeting.

This program is deep, personalized, and collaborative.

I don’t just hand you a checklist and walk away. Instead, I become a trusted partner, helping you untangle bureaucracy, find practical solutions, and create real, lasting systems—customized to your sibling’s exact situation.

You'll get clear action steps, ongoing support, and peace of mind that you’re finally on the right path.

I don't know where to begin.

Absolutely. Many siblings feel exactly the same way when they step into this role. We’ll start wherever you are now, clarify your most urgent concerns, and work together to build the next steps.

You’ll never feel lost or alone in this process.

What does this program cost?

Each family’s situation is unique, and we tailor the approach accordingly. Payment options include:

✅ Self-pay (credit, debit, check),
✅ Special Needs Trust funds,
✅ STABLE Accounts,
✅ Crowdfunding,
✅ The Hart Supported Living Grant.


Flexible payment plans are available. Limited sliding scale fees are available.

Let’s connect to figure out what works best for your family.

 

Is this program covered by a Medicaid Waiver?

Not at this time. Like insurance, Medicaid waivers have strict guidelines about what they cover—and mentoring, consulting, and planning are typically not included.

This program fills the gap by offering tailored support, strategy, and partnership that waiver services don’t cover—giving you the freedom to get exactly the help you need, when you need it.

Private pay services and programs allow for greater flexibility and ensures families get exactly what they need, without restrictions or delays.

What if my sibling has unique or complex needs?

Samantha supports families with a wide variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), intellectual disability of varying degrees, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) , sensory processing disorders, communication disorders, motor disorders, aggressive behaviors, complex medical needs, and other rare genetic syndromes associated with intellectual and developmental delays. Samantha offers personalized support based on your sibling’s specific needs

Building support systems for aggressive behaviors can be particularly hard to find and has become one of Samantha's special interests. 

Is it too early to get started if my parents are still alive?

It’s never too early to get prepared. In fact, starting now allows you to plan proactively—without the extra pressure of a crisis. Whether you're already helping or just starting to think about your sibling’s future, I can help you lay the groundwork and avoid last-minute emergencies.

 

How do I get started?

Click the “Get Started” button or use the “Talk with Samantha” link to set up a no-pressure conversation. We’ll explore your situation and figure out how this program can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

 

Can this program help me get the Supports for Community Living (SCL) waiver?

Yes. The Kentucky Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver is a Medicaid program that provides essential services for adults with developmental disabilities—but the waitlist is long, and emergencies arise.

If your sibling meets emergency criteria—such as death of a parent or primary caregiver,  loss of housing,  serious  health or safety risks, or current/imminent institutionalization —this program can:

✅ Help you understand the emergency process
✅ Gather and organize critical documentation
✅ Navigate the application with state agencies
✅ Build backup systems to support your sibling now and in the future.

While the final decision is up to Kentucky’s Medicaid authorities, this program can help you understand the progress and make sure your request is as strong, clear, and well-documented as possible.

Why haven't I heard of a program like this before? It seems like so many families need it.

You’re not alone. Sibling caregivers are often overlooked by the system, even though your role is essential.

Most support programs focus on parents—and there’s been a huge gap in services for adult siblings stepping into care.

This program was born out of seeing that need firsthand. It’s designed just for you—to make sure you’re not left alone to figure it all out.

Is Samantha a Case Manager?

No—Samantha is not a case manager.

She’s a disability consultant with over 12 years of experience helping families navigate Kentucky’s Medicaid waiver system, hire caregivers through Participant-Directed Services (PDS), and build long-term care solutions that actually work.


She created this support system because case managers are already doing everything they can in a system that’s stretched too thin.

In Kentucky, families are facing impossible challenges:

  • Long waitlists
  • Confusing waiver rules
  • Little to no guidance on how to actually use approved services
  • Limited support when it comes to things like hiring caregivers, navigating self-direction (PDS), or planning for long-term care

Case managers play a vital role—but even the best ones can’t provide the in-depth, personalized support that many families need to feel confident and prepared.

That’s why Samantha developed a hands-on, done-with-you approach: to fill the education, advocacy, and implementation gaps families are struggling with.

This service exists because families deserve more than a system of referrals and 1-800 numbers.

You deserve answers, clarity, and a trusted partner who can help you actually move forward—without waitlists, red tape, or starting from scratch.

Building a Secure Future, Together.

Stop Carrying the Weight Alone.

You’ve done so much already. 

It's time to create a sustainable way forward. 

Let’s figure out what lasting support really looks like for your family.