Resource Link

https://dbhds.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Relationship-Map-fillable.pdf

Resource Description

Introduction: This document is a one-page tool from the Commonwealth of Virginia called the "Relationship Map." It is part of the Supported Decision-Making Discovery Tool. The Relationship Map was created by The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices. This tool helps people with disabilities think about who they want to support them in making decisions. It uses a simple visual map with circles to show the people in someone's life. The map helps the person pick supporters who they trust and feel close to.

Resource Summary

Content Summary: The Relationship Map helps you think about who you want to support you in making decisions. When you use Supported Decision-Making, you are the Decision Maker. The people you choose to help you are called Supporters. You get to decide who you want as your Supporters. The form explains that you can pick anyone you want to be a Supporter. You can have many Supporters or just a few. Some people might help you with one part of your life, like health care or money. Others might help you with many different things. It's all up to you to decide. When picking Supporters, the tool suggests you think about people you trust. You should talk to these people to see if they agree to be your Supporters. The map helps you think about the different people who already help you in your life. The main part of the document shows a map with three circles. Your name goes in the center circle. The map is divided into four sections: Family, Friends, People who support you at work or school, and People who support you at home and other places. You write names in each section. The people you feel closest to go in the circle nearest to your name in the center. People you don't feel as close to, or don't ask for help as often, go in the outer circle. This visual way of organizing helps you see who is most important in your life and who you might want to ask for support. The Relationship Map is a simple but helpful way to think about your relationships. It shows who is already supporting you and helps you decide who to ask to be your official Supporters in a Supported Decision-Making Agreement. By filling out this map, you can make better choices about who will help you make decisions in different parts of your life.