Empowering people to explore, plan, and problem-solve for good lives.
Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is a framework that helps people and families of all ages and abilities think about their lives and plan for the future. It helps people create a vision and take steps toward the life they want. It does this by helping people:
CtLC helps people understand what matters, share what is important, and make decisions about what comes next. Along the way, it builds hope, resilience, and a sense of possibility.
Use CtLC to explore your good life, share your goals, and take steps toward the life you want.
Do you want to think about what your future could look like?
Do you want to feel supported and find different types of help for your good life?
Do you want to choose what’s important to you and take steps to reach your goals?
Do you want to feel confident making decisions and speaking up for yourself?
The framework is built on seven guiding principles. Together, they offer a way of thinking that helps people envision possibilities and navigate life.
ALL people, regardless of age, ability or family role, are considered in our vision, values, policies and practices for supporting individuals and families. All families have choices and access to supports they need.
People exist and have reciprocal roles within a family system, defined by that individual. Roles adjust as the individual members of the family system change and age. The entire family, individually and as a whole, needs support to ensure they all are able to successfully live their good life.
Individuals and families can focus on a specific life stage, with an awareness of how prior, current, and future life stages impact and influence their trajectory. It is important to have a vision for a good, quality life and have opportunities, experiences, and support to move the life trajectory in a positive direction.
A person’s quality of life can be defined within different domains that evolve and change across the lifespan, such as Daily Life & Employment, Community Living, Safety and Security, Healthy Living, Social and Spirituality, and Advocacy and Engagement. All these domains are connected and can impact each others and build self-determination, social capital, economic sufficiency, and community inclusion.
The three strategies for supporting individuals and their families can be organized into three categories (or buckets):
Individuals and families access an array of integrated supports to achieve their envisioned good life. These include those that are publicly or privately funded and based upon eligibility; community supports that are available to anyone; relationship based supports; technology; and the personal strengths and assets of the individual and their family.
Individuals and families are truly involved in policy making so that they influence planning, policy, implementation, research and revision of the practices that affect them. Every program, organization, system and policy-maker must think about a person within the context of family and community.
These resources provide an overview of the framework and explain each of its seven guiding principles. Whether you’re new to Charting the LifeCourse or need a quick refresher, these resources are a great place to start.
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