The Missouri LifeCourse Nexus Chapter strives to engage and unite local, regional and/or statewide stakeholders around a shared vision, common language, and commitment to person-and family-centered practices with others around the country.
The Missouri Family-to-Family (MoF2F), under the umbrella of the UMKC-Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD) leads the statewide Charting the LifeCourse chapter, which is affiliated with the National LifeCourse Nexus. The statewide stakeholder events are hosted in conjunction with the Missouri Family-to-Family quarterly meetings. Currently, there are nearly 250 certified Ambassadors across the state. Ambassadors are encouraged to participate in chapter activities, such as the bimonthly CtLC in Action meetings that are focused on implementation of CtLC into day-to-day practices. There are more than 10 organizations that are CtLC Affiliate organizations. The Missouri Nexus Chapter enables individuals and organizations to stay connected and continue to learn about the latest CtLC innovations and practices.
Missouri Family-to-Family
Established as the Missouri Developmental Disability Resource Center over 40 years ago, Missouri Family-to-Family (MoF2F) exists as a partnership between the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC), UMKC Institute for Human Development (UCEDD), and Department of Mental Health Division of Developmental Disabilities (DMH-DDD). The shared mission of the MoF2F and its partners is to address the need for individuals with disabilities, their families, and others in the field to receive family-friendly information on best practices and disability topics, peer support, and leadership opportunities. Collaborating organizations pledge financial and administrative support to develop and implement the work of MoF2F to provide individualized Support, outreach and engagement, as well as capacity building and networking opportunities
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD) houses the federally designated University Center for Excellence, Education, Research and Service (UCE) in Developmental Disabilities for the state of Missouri. Working with local, state, and national organizations, the UCE supports people with developmental disabilities by building programs and activities designed to promote self-determination and independence, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life.
MoFamilytoFamily@umkc.edu
Toll Free: 1-800-444-0821
Text: 816-514-2458
Charting the LifeCourse In-Action Meetings are for anyone who is directly applying or implementing CtLC in their organizations or professional roles. It is an interactive peer learning collaborative that allows for hands-on learning, piloting, and identifying strategies for application and implementation. The CtLC In-Action meetings are a safe space to talk about successes as well as challenges, where members can share their experiences, ask questions and receive peer coaching on implementing CtLC. The group is also the first to know about new products and provide their valuable feedback to the Nexus team.
Charting the LifeCourse Stakeholder Meetings gather individuals, families, and the professionals that support them to discuss things that are important to people in Missouri, to share information with each other, and serve in an advisory capacity to our network as we develop new products and expand our programs. Attendees represent a variety of abilities, ages, roles, and systems from all areas of the state. Meetings are currently held virtually via Zoom.
Charting the LifeCourse Good Life Groups are interactive peer learning collaboratives that allow for hands-on learning, to build the capacity of self-advocates and family members to use the framework in their own lives.
MOF2F hosts two Good Life Groups:
Fourth Thursday of each month at 12:30 p.m. – topics change every month
Siblings (Adult siblings) – Quarterly 3rd Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m.
Good Life Groups are hosted in several areas throughout the state. Abilities First in Springfield, The Arc of St. Louis, and Progressive Community Services in St. Joseph also host Good Life Groups.
For more information contact:
MoFamilytoFamily@umkc.edu or call Toll Free: 1-800-444-0821
Charting the LifeCourse Foundational Workshops are opportunities for the framework to be shared with a larger audience. The interactive workshops provide an introduction to the framework and generate excitement about using CtLC in personal lives and/or professional roles. Attendance varies, as the content is broad, suiting virtually every audience.
The Missouri Open Door (MOD) Workshop Series is a FREE monthly series, with each workshop built around a designated topic-area that will provide immediate-use ideas and solutions for you, and those you support – all with a specific focus in the realm of technology. Join the Missouri No Wrong Door (NWD) every fourth Wednesday of the month to learn about a new topic-area.
Click here to view the entire Missouri Open Door (MOD) Workshop Series
For more information contact: Angelina Alpert, angelinaalpert@umkc.edu
Alexis Lauer, 2020
Allison Cacich, 2018
Amanda Gillig, 2018
Amanda Moore, 2020
Angela Kaestner, 2020
Angie Alford, 2020
Anne Whalen, 2019
Anthony Nicholas, 2019
Brenda Smith, 2019
Brittany Howell, 2020
Candace Barton, 2020
Carol Gorman, 2019
Carrie Williams, 2019
Cassidi Jobe, 2019
Cindy Lange, 2020
Cla Stearns, 2020
Colleen Long, 2019
Connie Boyle, 2020
Crystal Cisewski, 2019
Crystal Johnson, 2019
Crystal Ludiker, 2019
Dan Kinkead, 2020
Darlene Laws, 2020
Deana Phillips, 2019
DeVaughn Jones, 2020
Donita Prock, 2020
Elizabeth Hargrave, 2019
Emmett Reyes-Teeters, 2019
Erica Missavage, 2019
Grace Enwemeka, 2020
Hope Franklin, 2020
Jackie Powell, 2020
James Albin, 2020
Janice Ott, 2019
Jennifer Jenkins-McDermed, 2019
Jesse Messer, 2020
Jessica Grant, 2019
Jessica Porter, 2018
Jill Shoemate, 2019
Joanie Chenault, 2018
Joanna Edenburn, 2019
Jodi Taylor, 2019
Joe Lammert, 2019
Jonathon Burton, 2020
Judy Satterfield, 2019
Julia Hillyer, 2020
Julie Tharp, 2019
Kandice Walker, 2019
Karen Madison, 2020
Kay Hamblin, 2020
Kerry Wood, 2020
Kim Dreiman, 2020
Kim Kaibel, 2020
Laura Cravens, 2018
Lauri Faherty, 2019
Lesa Tracy, 2019
Linda Wolf, 2019
Lisa Ernest, 2019
Lisa Nothaus, 2020
Lizzie Kucharski, 2019
Lois Warren, 2020
Loretta Turner, 2019
Lyndee Willoughby, 2019
Lynn Maggard, 2018
Madeleine Moore, 2019
Maggie Rollwagen, 2016
Malinda Barnett, 2019
Marcy Volner, 2020
Mark Kaibel, 2020
Mark Satterwhite, 2018
Matt Waggoner, 2020
Meganne Greenwood, 2019
Michelle Anderson, 2019
Phyllis Lyon, 2020
Rebecca Auberry, 2019
Rebecca McMurray, 2019
Robyn Kaufman, 2018
Rod Keown, 2019
Sandi MacInnes, 2020
Sara Light, 2020
Sarah French, 2020
Sarah Vallandingham, 2019
Serina Moellers, 2019
Soji Olaoye, 2019
Stacy Bahn, 2020
Stephanie Hand, 2019
Stephen Roberts, 2019
Tavinia Tucker, 2019
Terri Hanks, 2020
Terri Yelton, 2019
Tidia Eason, 2019
Tim Wholf, 2019
Tina Coffelt, 2020
Tina Davis, 2020
Tracy Mauk, 2019
Wendy Davis, 2018
Noal Presley, 2020
Susan Goss, 2020
Alecia Billups, 2019
Andrea Gillette, 2014
Ann Mangelsdorf, 2019
Asia Smith, 2019
Becky Hill, 2014
Beth Stephens, 2014
Colette Cox, 2014
Courtney Cruz, 2014
Craig Strohbeck, 2019
Crystal Bell, 2015
Crystal Burke, 2019
Erin Organowski, 2014
Georgia Mueller, 2015
Heather Zeigler, 2014
Jane St. John, 2015
Jenny Hatfield-Callen, 2015
Jenny Turner, 2015
JR Johnson, 2019
Julie Thompkins, 2019
Kathleen Schue, 2019
Kristin Jones, 2014
Lindsey Moore, 2019
Lynn Smith, 2014
Mallory Bruce, 2019
MaryAnne Tolliver, 2019
Meaghan Simpson, 2014
Michelle Fricks, 2019
Mindy Graham, 2014
Rebecca Blackwell, 2014
Rhonda Hembree, 2019
Ruth Reiter, 2014
Sarah Scott, 2014
Sarah West, 2014
Sharon Spurlock, 2019
Shay Bernard, 2014
Sheli Reynolds, 2015
Sherry Grodner, 2019
Stephen Turner, 2019
Theresa Strothkamp, 2019
The Missouri Developmental Disability Council, in partnership with DDD and UCEDD funds the membership to the NASDDDS National Community of Practice on Supporting Families. The sustainability level of membership allows State CoP teams to stay connected to national learning, new practices and ideas related to application of Charting the LifeCourse framework for state systems change. Missouri’s Cop is facilitated by leadership from the Missouri DD Council and Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities. Membership allows participation in a number of national activities, including Innovation Virtual Workgroups, which are interactive cross-state learning sessions facilitated by the National Project Team. Innovation Workgroups center on the primary areas of policy, systems design and quality; family and self-advocacy engagement; cultural and linguistic competency, and practice and implementation improvement.
Missouri Developmental Disability Council
The Missouri Developmental Disability Council (MODDC), in partnership with DDD and UCEDD funds the Missouri membership to the NASDDDS National Community of Practice on Supporting Families. The MODDC is a federally-funded, 23-member, consumer-driven council appointed by the Governor. Its mandate under P.L. 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration in all aspects of community life.
Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities
The Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Offering support across the lifespan, the Division implements a statewide system of supportive services that focus on assuring health and safety, supporting access to community participation, and increasing opportunities for meaningful employment. Missouri DDD co-partners with the MODDC and UCEDD in implementing the Missouri Community of Practice for Supporting Families.
The goal of this 5 year grant is for UMKC-IHD, together with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, the Missouri DDD, the MACDDS, and others, to develop a comprehensive, coordinated monitoring and capacity-building system to enhance the health, safety, well-being, and quality of life for individuals with DD. The project builds on existing quality assurance processes to develop a standardized data collection, reporting, and analysis system that county DD service boards will use to build capacity to meet local needs and the state agency will use to ensure compliance with HCBS rules statewide.
MoF2F partners with UMKC-IHD to develop and implement this project with FACT, Missouri Protection and Advocacy and Legal Aid of Eastern Missouri. MoF2F is a member and leader of the newly forming statewide network of Educational Advocacy programs. MoF2F staff and the project team are developing and hosting training for educational advocates. MoF2F Leadership Network will include and maintain trained LEAP mentors in its database to connect to families seeking support on educational advocacy. IHD staff are converting the in-person training into an on-line training component.
ECHO Autism is a virtual learning network of providers offering real-time access to autism and behavioral experts. The MU ECHO program partnered with MoF2F to identify families from the MoF2F Leadership Network that would be interested in participating in the ECHO Autism Family Advocates pilot series. MU receives funding from Missouri DDD to host ECHO programs around many different topics. The MoF2F provides outreach and recruitment to families to participate in the ECHO and also serve as hub leaders for the ECHO Autism Family Advocates.
This one-year grant initiative is a partnership between MoF2F, Missouri Assistive Technology, m4A and Missouri Centers for Independent Living O+(MoCIL). The goal is to support persons with DD and their families in accessing supports that decrease social isolation, increase use of technology and access to services and supports. MoF2F is piloting 10 regional F2F Family Peer Specialists to meet the local and regional needs in their area. They will receive training and coordination from the MoF2F and the LifeCourse Nexus on leadership development, peer support and planning/problem-solving skills. They will represent the MoF2F on the voice of families for different statewide initiatives.