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Supporting Families Community of Practice Evaluation

Sharing Information and Creating Partnerships: Angela’s Story

“CtLC has given our family tools to develop a vision of Jackson's Good Life and a way to share that with 

others who support him like his school team, therapists, and our family. Having everyone be able to 

see and share that same vision for Jackson gives me hope as a parent that he will have that Good Life 

we want for him!” –Angela

Overview

In 2012 the Administration for Community Living (ACL) funded the development of a National 

Community of Practice for Supporting Families (CoP) to help state agencies and stakeholders, 

such as families, make systemic changes that positively impacts individuals with intellectual and 

developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The CoP is driven by a set of principles that 

comprise the Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework designed by and for families through the 

University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC)-Institute for Human Development. The core belief of 

the CtLC framework is that all people have the right to live, love, work, play and pursue their life 

aspirations in their community.

In 2017, ACL funded an evaluation of the 

CoP to identify measurable outcomes 

achieved by the sixteen participating 

states. The evaluation uses five categories 

to evaluate the benefits of the CoP and 

CtLC: sharing information and creating 

partnerships, increasing knowledge, 

changing practice, improving

performance, and redefining success. This 

document highlights themes observed 

across states that relate to the first

category: sharing information and 

creating partnerships.

Themes across States

Several themes regarding sharing information and creating partnerships emerged across all 

sixteen states participating in the evaluation. Information-sharing and partnerships often lead to 

policy and practice changes in the future. States confirm this impact by noting that the CoP is a 

conduit for information exchange. Increased opportunity for peer-peer support is a major 

achievement of the CoP, with many states highlighting the role of family members and selfadvocates in CoP activities. Although each state has its own CoP structure, many cited that a high 

level of commitment and engagement from members, particularly state agency leadership, has

helped them to achieve their goals. Finally, states communicated the importance of having strong 

relationships among various organizations to promote collaboration across diverse systems.
Final Draft Personal Story

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Angela’s Story

Angela Donley is a member of Oklahoma’s CoP. She plays a 

vital role in providing information to individuals and families 

about CtLC. In collaboration with the Assistant Director of 

Special Education of the Edmond School District, Angela helps 

facilitate Parent Education Nights. Parent Education Nights 

promote the use of CtLC tools as a way to help individuals 

with I/DD find the support they need by fostering peer-peer 

support relationships among families.

Angela Donley is personally and professionally motivated in her support for individuals with I/DD and 

their families. As the mother of a child with I/DD, she understands the importance of community 

connection and informed decision-making. As an employee of the Oklahoma Family Network, she

works with individuals with special health care needs and disabilities and their families to learn and 

access services in their communities.

Angela learned about CtLC through an Oklahoma CoP presentation. Seeing its value, Angela began 

using the tools with her son, Jackson. She wanted Jackson to experience full engagement in school 

experiences. Angela used the Integrated Supports Star with his teachers, which resulted in a change in 

schedule leading to greater inclusion and connection to students without disabilities. Jackson’s success 

motivated Angela to share her experiences and knowledge about CtLC with Megan Moore, the Special 

Education Program Specialist of the Edmond School District, where Jackson attends school.

After learning about the CoP and CtLC, Megan became the driving force behind sharing resources with 

families in the district. Megan and Angela began holding Parent Education Nights. They contacted 

families of children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in the district and hosted a three-part 

series featuring each of the CtLC tools: One Page Portfolio, Life Trajectory Worksheet, and the 

Integrated Supports Star. Additionally, they supported teachers by sharing the practical application of 

CtLC to the daily life of their students.

In summary, parent education and teacher information sharing led to changes in knowledge among 

those who support individuals with I/DD and their families. The CoP drives greater peer to peer 

support and community engagement, enabling individuals with disabilities and their families to reach 

their own goals through self-advocacy and access to community resources.