For many families navigating the Self-Determination Program (SDP), achieving true independence can feel daunting—but with the right guidance, it’s possible. This is the story of Justin, a 29-year-old whose life transformed as he moved into his own apartment, pursued his passions, and gained autonomy through personalized support and the expertise of NeuroNav.
Meet Justin
Justin has learning disabilities and seizures, and takes medication that sometimes affects his learning and energy. Despite these challenges, he is determined, creative, and social. He discovered a passion for dance, theater, and rap classes—activities that bring out his personality, boost his confidence, and connect him with friends. Justin LOVES to dance.
Katherine, his mom, explains:
“Justin is generally outgoing, but new situations can make him shy. The dance and theater program really brought out his best self—it helped him find an identity, express his personality, and connect with others.”
The Challenge
Before discovering SDP, support through the regional center was limited. Services were inconsistent, and the process felt more transactional than strategic. As Katherine puts it:
“As a parent, there’s so much you don’t know. I felt like we were trying to find our way through the dark to figure out what services were available and how to support Justin.”
She wanted him to pursue his passions, work toward independent living, and develop social connections—but accessing the right supports was complicated.
Discovering NeuroNav
Katherine found NeuroNav while looking for ways to fund Justin’s dance program and support his goal of moving into his own apartment. She describes the difference NeuroNav made:
“The first thing that stood out was that NeuroNav could start from step one, walk us through the process, and provide ongoing support with an independent facilitator. They encouraged a person-centered plan, which shifted my thinking from just taking care of immediate needs to thinking strategically about Justin’s long-term goals.”
Person-Centered Planning
NeuroNav guided Justin and his family to:
- Create a person-centered plan focused on Justin’s goals, interests, and daily needs
- Involve Justin directly in planning, ensuring his voice shaped decisions about his life
- Build and manage a flexible budget for services and supports
- Hire individual support staff and coordinate vendors
- Plan how Justin would live independently
Justin sat in on every meeting. He helped make choices, express his goals, and shape his plan. NeuroNav made it a real partnership — he wasn’t just a recipient, he was an active participant.
“That plan is now part of our trust, so it can guide his future even when we’re not around,” says Katherine.
Ongoing Support & Team Approach
Beyond creating the plan, NeuroNav provides long-term and ongoing guidance. Katherine emphasizes:
“Their team approach means I don’t just rely on one person; I have the reassurance of a whole organization that knows our history and can support us long-term.”
NeuroNav helps navigate interactions with the regional center, financial management services, and vendors—ensuring challenges don’t disrupt Justin’s progress. The all-inclusive monthly pricing model gives families predictable support without surprise fees, so Katherine always knows the level of assistance available:
“I appreciate the transparency and consistency. Knowing I have ongoing support included in the plan is a big security blanket—it allows me to focus on Justin’s growth rather than the logistics.”
The Transformation
With NeuroNav’s support, Justin achieved key milestones:
Independent Living
Justin moved into his own apartment and now manages daily routines independently. Katherine explains:
“For years I was basically a taxi service. SDP allowed us to put Uber in the budget, and now Justin gets himself to work and his classes independently. It opened up a whole new world.”
Long-Term Planning
The family established sustainable supports for Justin’s growth.
Katherine shares: “A huge motivator for SDP was thinking about quality of life when we’re not here. I wanted to find someone I could trust to support Justin independently. NeuroNav helped us hire someone through the budget, and that was huge—it felt like putting the last piece of the puzzle in place.”
Creative Engagement & Social Growth
Justin participates in dance and theater four to five times per week:
“It’s central to his identity, social life, and personal fulfillment. It’s incredible to see him so expressive and excited about life,” says Katherine.
Employment & Responsibility
Justin works at Amazon, supporting both independence and self-sufficiency. Katherine reflects:
“The big change has been independence and self-advocacy. He has friends, activities, a life. SDP, combined with NeuroNav’s guidance, made long-term planning possible. Justin moved on his own, and he’s thriving.”
Why NeuroNav Makes the Difference
NeuroNav combines technical expertise, hands-on support, and person-centered planning. By focusing on Justin’s goals, strengths, and long-term vision, they helped design a plan that truly fits his life. NeuroNav helped Justin and his family not just stop at dance but think bigger and more strategically. The person-centered plan was realistic, actionable, and focused on Justin’s future—not just immediate needs. And the ongoing guidance means challenges don’t disrupt progress.
Three Words to Describe NeuroNav
“Safety net. Trusted source. Strategic.” – Katherine Mancuso
Want to Learn More?
If your family is exploring the Self-Determination Program (SDP) and wants to see how personalized support can unlock independence and long-term growth, contact NeuroNav to learn how they can help.
