Here at Values Into Action, we use the Charting the LifeCourse Framework. We do this because it aligns with our mission to partner with people with disabilities to design and live their best lives. The Charting the LifeCourse framework encourages person centered and directed supports. Person-directed support often involves collaboration among the person receiving support, their family members, friends, and care professionals. Everyone works together to create a plan that best meets the person’s needs. The approach empowers individuals to actively participate in planning their support. It encourages self-advocacy and involvement in decision-making processes.
The key principles of the CtLC Framework were initially developed to drive person-centered change for people with disabilities and their families. However, the Charting the LifeCourse Framework and tools apply to everyone.
Our Journey
Our team has had working knowledge of the framework for many years. More recently, we began our journey to expand our knowledge and use. Since 2022, we’ve trained our organization on the foundational skills of Charting the LifeCourse. Also, stakeholders from different parts of our organization became certified Charting the LifeCourse Ambassadors.
Our Charting the LifeCourse Ambassadors are working with our Executive Leadership Team to lead the way to align our practices with Charting the LifeCourse. This includes the way we:
- provide services and supports in partnership with people with disabilities and their families,
- support and train our employees and teams,
- and evaluate and plan on an organizational level.
Our credentialed CtLC Ambassador’s champion the use of the framework and tools in ways that are helpful to people and teams.
Our Ambassadors
- Allan Feldman, Self-Advocate
- Annie Kisilewicz, Lead Support Partner
- Breanna Comstock, Housing Resource Specialist
- CL Mannings, Lead Support Partner
- Dorinda Young, Associate Director
- Jennifer Smith, Supports Broker
- Jill Astoreca, Learning & Development Specialist
- Kristian Smith Diaz, Community Support Facilitator
- Lynn Alexander, Supports Broker
- Marvin Crane, Support Partner
- Pamela Zotynia, Service Director
- Rachel Milano-Davis, Chief Operating Officer
- Shawn Korp, Support Partner
- Susan Rowell, Associate Director
Our Commitment to Quality
Addressing loneliness and social isolation is crucial for well-being. Our partnerships with people using our services and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community have reinforced this. Recognizing its importance, we made social connection a focus of our Quality Management Plan. “Social connection” or “social connectedness” means the feeling of being connected to other people. It’s about having relationships, friendships, and a sense of belonging to a community.
Our 2024-2026 Quality Management, includes:
- The Focus Area of Participant Outcome and Satisfaction.
- The Goal for people to have meaningful connections to people in their community.
- The Outcome: People are supported to expand their social connections in addition to what is available to them through the disability service system.
Charting the LifeCourse is embedded into our Quality Management Action Plan because it offers a valuable framework and practical tools to help people to:
- Explore their vision related to social connection
- Plan goals for how they will work toward that vision
- Brainstorm and problem-solve to reduce barriers to achieving their goals
As part of our Quality Management Action Plan, we created a toolkit to support social connectedness using CtLC.
Introduction to CtLC Video
Learn More
The Charting the LifeCourse website provides a wealth of information. By visiting the website, you can learn more about the framework and tools. You can also download the tools for your use.
Featured photo, ‘Nothing About Us Without Us,’ attributed to Disabled and Here.
Photo by Gritchelle Fallesgon. Background mural by Lliam Werproc.