What is a good life and how to get there?

The Charting the LifeCourse framework was created to help individuals and their families of all abilities and ages develop a vision for a good life. How do you define a good life? Well, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find supports, utilize natural resources, and then discover what it takes to live the life they see for themselves. A LifeCourse tool is Person-Centered that can help anyone who is planning, problem solving, or working on a goal. It is often used to express the hopes, dreams, and vision for what a supported sees as a good life, as well as think about and plan for supports they will need to get there.

Charting the life course is about planning and   having various, sometimes difficult, conversations.   It is challenges thinking about things differently,   aiming high and then adjusting as necessary,   having experiences, and creating situations that   move this trajectory into the desired vision of what   the person wants for their life. Sometimes, it takes  a village to accomplish this, help the person  create their village.

Some key principles to the LifeCourse:
​
Focusing on all people- 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 the supports they need.

Family systems and recognizing the person with the context of their family- People exist and have reciprocal roles within a family system, defined by that individual. Roles adjust as the family system changes and age. The entire family and individually needs support to ensure they all can successfully live their good life.

Trajectory of life experiences across the lifespan- 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.

Striving for and Achieving Life Outcomes-Individuals and families plan for the present and future life outcomes that consider all aspects of life and have opportunities for life experiences that build self-determination, social capital, economic sufficiency, and community inclusion.

The LifeCourse Framework offers flexible, dynamic tools that anyone can learn to use in creating a vision of an everyday life and in discovering supports for the experiences, relationships and community opportunities that can help make the vision a reality.

​For more information, comment below.

---