The professional direction of the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities is giving way to self-determination. This values-based movement relies on philosophical, managerial, and personal commitment to inclusive policy making, independent support brokerage, and the shifting of resource control to individually managed budgets. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) National Program in Self-Determination is facilitating change through the support of "learning community" grants to self-advocacy organizations, to Arc, and to others (e.g., University Affiliated Programs). Multiyear implementation grants have been made to 29 states, and a longitudinal evaluation is underway. Local implementation is demonstrating creativity in establishing new tools for self-directed management of resources, listening to people, and reinvesting in communities.
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