Official State of Rhode Island website

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals State of Rhode Island

Shared Living Arrangements

Rhode Island closed its state institution, the Ladd School, in 1994. The Ladd School was replaced with group homes. While group homes were the state-of-the-art practice 35 years ago, the residential continuum has grown to include other models to meet the needs of people who live with developmental disabilities. These changes reflect our commitment to provide services that promote a person-centered philosophy that enables people to live in the least restrictive and most appropriate settings. 

One new residential model is shared living arrangements. Shared living offers an alternative integrated setting to group homes for people who need 24-hour services. Many shared living arrangements are run by the same providers who run group homes. People with shared living arrangements can still take part in other services. Shared living arrangements are not foster homes, and they do not replace a family. Instead, they provide a supportive home environment. There are two types of shared living arrangement options: 

  1. Shared Living Arrangement (SLA)
  2. Whole Life Shared Living Arrangement (Whole Life SLA)

Shared Living Arrangement (SLA) 

Shared Living Arrangement (SLA) is a residential support service. With SLA, the person getting services will live with another person, couple, or family in a home setting of their choosing. The agency will suggest a great match for the person based on their hobbies, interests, and values. They will work with an agency to help them find the best match. 

Who the person lives with will help them with daily activities. The person can get help with things like cooking, transportation, and personal care. They will keep taking part in other DD services, like community-based supports. Together, the person and who they live with will create a happy, supportive home. 

The person will pay rent and help with other household expenses, like buy their own food. They will get support to reach their personal goals.

Whole Life Shared Living Arrangement (Whole Life SLA)

With Whole Life SLA, the person will live with someone they choose who will help them with daily activities at home. Their Whole Life SLA provider will provide their community-based supports for them. The provider will support the person in: 

  • Getting to know other people outside their home and build relationships.
  • Finding new ways to become a valued member of their community.
  • Getting a job if they want one.
  • Reaching their goals in life. 

Who the person lives with will help them with daily activities. The person can get help with things like cooking, transportation, and personal care. They will keep taking part in other DD services, except community-based supports. This is because who they live with will provide their community-based supports for them. Together, the person and who they live with will create a happy, supportive home. 

The person will pay rent and help with other household expenses, like buy their own food. They will get support to reach their personal goals.

Matching with A Shared Living Arrangement Provider

Matching people to SLA home providers is a thoughtful process. It includes personal interviews, character references, background checks and home inspections. Other things considered during the matching process include:

  • Cultural and religious values
  • Compatibility with animals and children
  • Smoking preferences

SLA home providers must meet standards for behavior management and fire safety, which are reviewed during home inspections and regular on-site visits. Home providers must also participate in training on the roles and responsibilities of shared living arrangement contractors and the rights of adults with developmental disabilities.

In addition, home providers receive mandatory training on:

  • Community integration
  • The importance of Individual Service Plans (ISP)
  • Managing access to medical and psychiatric supports
  • Self-determination
  • CPR and first aid
  • Confidentiality
  • How to recognize the neglect and mistreatment of adults with developmental disabilities, including reporting requirements to BHDDH and appropriate law enforcement agencies.

This webpage was updated 4/8/25.