A Welcome Home

The average annual cost of the service is nearly equal group home placement, which costs about $62,000. State officials said that added costs for sponsored placements are usually administrative, because such arrangements generally require more supervision from local agencies than group homes do. Similar services in state institutions average nearly $93,000 a year per person.

In some cases, caregivers hire home health aides or support staff to care for their residents, particularly if the sponsor works another job or is otherwise unable to perform certain duties. But in most cases, sponsors dedicate their lives to those in their care.

State law allows only two mentally disabled people to live in a home at one time. Agencies that supervise the arrangements make one or two visits to the homes a month.

In many cases, the arrangements develop between families, friends or longtime acquaintances. In some cases, caregivers who have worked with clients on a limited basis decide to deepen their relationship by opening their home.

"The relationships between people really are varied," said Kimberly Shepherd, director of operations for Blue Ridge Services. "We have all kinds of people who are looking for a change, who have extra space in their home and want to . . . provide this service for people."

Although use of the model has been increasing steadily in Northern Virginia, largely through Blue Ridge's aggressive efforts, experts said such arrangements will probably remain a small part of community services for people with mentally disabilities.

K. Charlie Lakin, director of the Research and Training Center for Community Living, said the demands on caregivers are sometimes prohibitive.

"The way many Americans live today, it's difficult for them to take on this huge responsibility," Lakin said. Such placements "will continue to be important, but I'm not sure how widespread they can become because of this responsibility."

Indeed, the relationships become very close and intensive. Jones often checks on Layla in the middle of the night to make sure she is resting comfortably. Jones usually is up at dawn when Layla, who rarely sleeps more than five hours, wakes up.

The two have become so close that Jones is able to keep Layla, who, like many with autism, is prone to loud outbursts, quiet during movies or when dining out, something her mother said she was never able to do.

Jones said it is a small example of the things Layla has been able to learn from their one-on-one relationship.

"I've promised the family that I will be here for their daughter for as long as I can physically do it," Jones said. "It's a promise I intend to keep."