Imagine if you had an intellectual disability, autism, or other developmental disability and had to rely on family and friends for any support you may need. That was the reality in 1960. Today, eight (8) decades later, there are public benefits which allow many with disabilities to have a full life in the community.
A little-known tax-free transfer allows persons 70 ½ and older to give up to $100,000 from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to charity each year. The distribution counts toward your minimum required distribution for the year and it is excluded from your adjusted gross income. Donating to a 501(C)(3) Charity allows you to reduce your taxable income and may reduce the amount you pay for Medicare by reducing your adjusted gross income.
If these questions resonate with you, then learning about Charting the LifeCourse may be of interest. The Charting the LifeCourse Nexus (CtLC) Framework can make the vision statement above a reality for all of us - and all of you!
We in Massachusetts adopted the beliefs and values of this framework for a simple reason: it provides both foundational principles and values to engage in family and person-centered thinking approaches. As a result, the tools and resources will support individuals and families in developing a vision to pursue full and rich lives engaged in community life. This framework lends itself towards transforming service systems by supporting use of a universal language and common planning approaches to help individuals and families live good lives.
To learn more about the Frameworks and Tools, view these introductory videos by Sonja Stewart and DDS Commissioner Jane Ryder.
Think about how the Charting the LifeCourse Framework and Tools can help you achieve your vision for a good life. Click on the buttons below to learn how Massachusetts individuals, families, and professionals are using the frameworks and tools in their work.
The videos you see here were developed by the Department of Developmental Services, The Arc of Massachusetts, and Quillo.
2-3 new videos will be released every week on the Charting the LifeCourse in Massachusetts YouTube channel. They will be added to the categories below as they are released.
The Department of Developmental Services has committed to the integration and use of the Charting the LifeCourse framework to support individuals and families across the lifespan. The frameworks and tools also closely mirror The Arc of Massachusetts MA 21: 21st Century Policy. Other agencies have also participated in trainings on CtLC, including the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Public Health, and Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
CtLC offers a comprehensive array of concrete tools focused on providing person-centered supports within the context of a person’s family and community. These tools promote taking a holistic view at how individuals and families can foster and establish more integrated supports that support their definition of a “good life.”
Key elements of the Charting the LifeCourse Frameworks include:
These frameworks and tools were developed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD). More information about Charting the LifeCourse framework and tools can be found at lifecoursetools.com.
With the addition of “new eligible conditions” last week by the CDC and Massachusetts Public Health, we are asking all of you to consider if you or your family member qualifies for earlier vaccine based on the category “Dementia or other neurological condition.”
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 4,000 hate crimes have been committed against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) living in the United States. As is the case with so many other intersectional identities, individuals with disabilities who are also members of the AAPI community have also been disproportionately affected by these acts of hate.
