Core Values

The core values, which drive our work, are RESPECT, CHOICE, COMPETENCE and FULL INCLUSION. We define RESPECT as having a valued place and role among a network of family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. Our goal is that people that we support are able to contribute in ways that will assist them to gain the respect of others. As agents on behalf of people our role is to promote their strengths and capacities. CHOICE means that people who rely on our supports have the autonomy to make decisions in both small every day matters and in large life-defining issues.

We recognize that people's histories are void of the opportunity to gain gradual and incremental experience with making choices and that means that our role is to assist them to make informed choices and to balance increased opportunity and reasonable risk. By valuing COMPETENCE we say that everyone should have the opportunity to perform functional and meaningful activities or work with whatever level of support might be needed to promote success. Our hope for all people we support is that they will experience FULL INCLUSION, which is the sharing of ordinary places with a growing network of personal relationships. We believe that people should not only be present in community but that they should be real participants who make a valuable contribution.