Finding Your Voice: How CPS Services Build Self-Advocacy

Harrell Homes
May 11
2 min read

At Harrell Assisted Living Homes, we believe that independence is more than just a set of skills—it’s the power to speak up for yourself. Our Community Participation Support (CPS) services are designed to move beyond the home, using the vibrant Philadelphia area as a classroom for one of life’s most critical tools: Self-Advocacy.

Self-advocacy is the ability to communicate your needs, make your own choices, and understand your rights. Here is how our CPS program turns everyday outings into advocacy wins:

1. The Power of Choice

Inclusion starts with a simple but profound question: "What do you want to do today?" Whether it's choosing a vocational training path or deciding on a "Nature Session" at Bartram’s Garden, we ensure our clients hold the wheel. By practicing decision-making in real-world settings, individuals build the confidence to express their preferences.

2. Social Scaffolding in the Community

Navigating the city—from using SEPTA to ordering at a local café—requires social confidence. We provide the "scaffolding" (structured support) that allows clients to practice social cues and problem-solving. Every successful interaction at a grocery store or library is a building block for a person's belief in their own voice.

3. Vocational Empowerment

Our CPS services help bridge the gap between home and the workplace. By developing vocational skills and volunteering at Tri-State organizations, adults with intellectual disabilities learn to advocate for their professional needs and contribute their unique "brilliance" to the workforce.

4. Knowing Your Rights

True empowerment means understanding that you are a Person of Worth. We help our clients master the skills needed for safety and autonomy, ensuring they know how to ask for help from a transit officer or stand up for their rights in public spaces.

Acceptance in Action

Awareness is only the beginning. At Harrell Homes, Acceptance means adjusting the environment so our clients can flourish. By supporting self-advocacy, we aren't just helping individuals live in the community—we are helping them lead it.

Ready to start a journey toward independence?