Supporting Families Community of Practice
Charting the LifeCourse is designed to be used for your own life, for your family members, or in the work you do. The framework and tools will help you organize your ideas, vision, and goals, as well as problem-solve, navigate, and advocate for supports.
Families are the core unit in our society, serving as a source of support for all its members.Family members play key roles in identifying and securing opportunities for their family members to participate within their community in meaningful ways and ensuring access to self-determined lives.
LifeCourse principles (in English) or in Spanish.
Supported Decision Making with the LifeCourse
Are you wanting information on making decisions and choices as you move through life, with support when you need it? The LifeCourse can help explore areas where any person might need decision making support, plan for what it looks like and how it can happen, and find the needed supports.
Tool for Exploring Decision Making Supports
This document can help to explore the areas of life where people make choices and decisions, and decide when and how much support might be needed for making and communicating decisions. Descargar en español.
Trajectory for Supported Decision-Making
Use this trajectory to help organize and express a vision for decision making, as well as what is not wanted. Reflect on what has worked or not in the past, and make plans for moving forward. Descargar en español.
Integrated Support Star for Supported Decision-Making
Use this support star to consider a variety of supports for helping with understanding options, communicating decisions, or following through with choices and decisions. Descargar en español.
LifeCourse Ambassadors
Our State Team faciliators represent The Center for Learning and Leadership, Developmental Disabilities Services of the Department of Human Services, and the Council.
Oklahoma's team vision is "We envision a state where families and communities are equipped to keep people with disabilities supported, empowered and on a journey towards a good life."
LifeCourse Ambassadors are persons who use Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) in personal and professional life, share the principles of CtLC, and have a commitment to ongoing learning, sharing, and contributing to person and family-centered practices. They are leaders in their arena, not afraid to try new things. Oklahoma has several LifeCourse Ambassadors ready to help.
LifeCourse Ambassador in Organizational Leadership: Robin Arter
LifeCourse Ambassadors in Person Centered Practices: Matt Aingell, Jeff Green, Troy Holifeld, Miranda Hutchison, Amber Kirby, Kimberly Kraft, Ed Lawson, Cindy Leishman, Jenifer Randle, Darrin Thompson
Get Connected
If you are interested in learning more about our Supporting Families Community of Practice, learning more about the principles of the LifeCourse, would like to schedule a training, join our community of learning to exchange knowledge, build capacity, and engage collaboratively, complete the form below. If you prefer to discuss via phone please give us a call at 405-521-4984.
In 2011, a group of national and state leaders in the disability field provided direction and guidance for a shift to focus on families. One recommendation was to develop and fund a National Supporting the Family Initiative, working on issues related to supporting families at both the national and state level, to inform practices and identify policies for advancing family supports. It also began build collaborations to support families across the lifespan. Through this work, a National Community of Practice was created and many states followed. Oklahoma was one of the first to join the National Community of Practice and saw benefit to create the Oklahoma Supports to Families Community of Practice.
