The need
Every person deserves opportunities to move forward.
Living with a mental health disability should not limit a person’s opportunities to learn, build confidence, or take part in decisions about their own life.
Growth needs opportunity and support.
For adults under guardianship or living in restrictive settings, there may be limited opportunities to practice new skills, demonstrate changing abilities, and prepare for community life.
Participants and their support teams need practical ways to understand strengths, goals, support needs, and progress. FREEDOM Forward is designed to contribute an educational structure for that work.
Every person deserves the opportunity to move forward. Living with a mental health disability should never mean having fewer chances to learn, grow, build confidence, or participate meaningfully in decisions about one’s own life.
At the same time, some adults under guardianship or living in institutional settings may have limited opportunities to practice new skills, demonstrate personal growth, and prepare for less restrictive community living. Without a structured way to develop and document progress, it can be difficult for individuals and their support teams to fully evaluate changing abilities, strengths, needs, and goals.
Missouri • June 18, 2024
The findings that helped frame the need.
In its June 2024 findings, the U.S. Department of Justice concluded there was reasonable cause to believe Missouri violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by unnecessarily institutionalizing adults with mental health disabilities. It identified gaps in community-based services and concerns about the state’s reliance on guardianship.
These are the Department’s findings from 2024. The source below provides the original context.
In June 2024, the United States Department of Justice reported that many Missouri adults with mental health disabilities were living in nursing facilities when they could potentially be served through appropriate community-based services. The report also identified systemic concerns involving access to intensive mental health services, community housing, transitions from nursing facilities, and the use of guardianship. These findings point to a need for additional tools and resources—not to diminish the important work already being done, but to strengthen the options available to individuals and the people who support them.
An educational contribution to a wider effort.
Learn
Make skills accessible
Provide structured education, recovery-focused learning, and practical skill development.
Practice
Create room for experience
Connect learning with daily routines, individual goals, and guided activities.
Demonstrate
Document what changes
Keep a useful record of work, demonstrated skills, strengths, and progress.
FREEDOM Forward was created as a constructive and collaborative response to these challenges. The program complements existing treatment, guardianship, and support services by providing structured education, recovery-focused learning, practical life-skills development, and meaningful opportunities for participants to practice and demonstrate what they have learned.
Throughout the program, participants build a documented record of their skills, strengths, goals, and progress. This record is designed to support productive conversations among participants, guardians, public administrators, families, providers, legal advocates, and other members of the support team. It does not replace professional evaluations or legal decision-making. Instead, it provides additional information that may help everyone better understand the participant’s development over time.
Respect for people and the teams who support them.
Guardians, public administrators, families, providers, facility staff, case managers, and community organizations carry important responsibilities. FREEDOM Forward is designed to add useful educational tools and opportunities alongside that work.
Greater independence can look different for each person. The program’s focus is growth, informed conversations, and meaningful participation in a life of the individual’s choosing.
FREEDOM Forward is an educational and skill-development program. It complements treatment and support services. It does not provide treatment, legal representation, or guardianship services, and participation does not guarantee a change in housing or legal rights.
For many adults, the journey toward greater independence is supported by a dedicated network of people. Guardians, public administrators, family members, physicians, behavioral health professionals, nursing facility staff, treatment providers, case managers, and community organizations carry significant responsibilities. Their work provides protection, stability, care, advocacy, and essential support—often in difficult circumstances and with limited resources.
FREEDOM Forward focuses on growth rather than limitations. We believe that when people are given opportunities to learn, practice, and demonstrate progress, it strengthens the work of the entire support team.
Our goal is to work collaboratively and respectfully toward a shared vision: helping each participant build the skills, confidence, support network, and opportunities needed to pursue greater independence, fuller community participation, and a meaningful life of their own choosing.
Explore the program’s approach.
Learn more about the program, discuss a potential collaboration, or share a professional perspective.