Friends of Collette is a group of families that have going to launch the first social networking site for adults with intellectual developmental delays and/or physical challenges, called Special Connections. Our mission is to develop a highly secured website where families can join to find one another and their special young adult can become a member to be "matched" based on compatibility to make Real Friendships, and meet Life Companions.The issue these families face today is that our adult child with a disability has worked extremely hard to live on their own, part of the typical community, yet is still living at home with their families. They are eligible to receive financial aid towards rent, food, and support services in their homes to help with cooking, paying bills, doctor appointments and more. To move out, our child would have to live alone, which they do not want, nor do we as parents. We are encouraged by the Departments of Developmental Services in each state to try to find other families in the same predicament. This may sound fairly easy, to search for a roommate, but as parents with special needs adults it is very difficult. We have to find the families, then screen them for their child's abilities as well as inabilities along with their child's interest and hobbies to know if they will be compatible. Beyond this we will also run a full background checks, obtain and call referrals, and finally agree on the location and living style. We hope you understand the magnitude and distinct need for this site to be launch. Together we can enrich these adults' lives with independent living, and the ease of meeting and creating true friends. We have partnered with Dr. Juan Gilbert and his team of experts at the University of Florida, to build Special Connections. Please visit our website and sharing our mission within your community. www.facebook.com/FriendsOfCollette