Lifetime Secure Personal Assistance Network
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About LifeSPAN

Jump to: Vision | Mission Statement | Values | Activities

LifeSPAN supports families in Washington State to develop safe, secure, quality futures for their relatives with a disability. LifeSPAN came together in fall 2000, after a PLAN™ “Good Life Workshop” for families sponsored in Seattle by Parkview Services. From the 80 people attending the workshop, 20 stepped forward in an advisory role to bring the PLAN™ model to Washington. Eight individuals became founding members of LifeSPAN in winter 2001.

Early development of the PLAN™ concept in Washington was funded by Parkview Services, a non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals and families with developmental disabilities. Parkview continues to support LifeSPAN with significant financial support.

LifeSPAN was incorporated in June 2001 and became an independent 501(c)3 organization in spring 2002. In 2002, LifeSPAN also became the first U.S. and international Affiliate of PLAN™.

Vision

Families receive peace of mind when they prepare a future for their relatives with disabilities which include relationships. Peace of mind happens when you see, with your own eyes, the plans working while you are still actively involved. There is no better way to change the future than to plan for it.

Mission Statement

To support families in developing a safe, secure and quality future for their relatives with disabilities.

Through planning, families envision futures where people with disabilities:

Share their vision for the future (Dreams)
Have financial security through will & estate plan (Wealth)
Live in a place of their own choice (Home)
Participate in a caring and hospitable community (Fellowship)
Have their wishes supported by family and friends (Choice)
Are protected from abuse and exploitation (Security)
Are encouraged to participate (Contribution)

Values Guiding LifeSPAN’s Work

Family leadership

The majority of volunteer leaders of LifeSPAN are relatives of an individual with a disability. Independently, each family is responsible for directing plans with their relative. Together, families view their collective wealth as an economic and social force in negotiating with government and the private sector.

Safety through relationships

Families know that safety of their loved one is directly related to the number and quality of relationships in one’s life as well as a system of checks and balances established by the family. Relationships are strengthened between families and within communities through sustainable, personal networks of support.

Contribution equals citizenship

A focus on community relationships and the capacity of individuals with disabilities and their families encourages participation and discourages victimization.

Self-sufficiency

Organizational self-sufficiency from sustaining government funds is necessary to monitor and advocate for people with disabilities when their parents or relatives are no longer able to provide support. Self-sufficiency requires that groups rely on community partnerships and that groups charge families a partial fee for services; making groups accountable to the families served. (At the same time, LifeSPAN supports individual efforts to increase personal governmental support.)

Primary Activities

Future planning advisory services.
Creating and sustaining personal networks of support.
Family support, mentoring and advocacy.
“A Lifetime Commitment” to maintaining an enduring network for the individual of disability that is supported, in part, by a modest bequest and understanding stated in the parent’s will.

PLAN™
Washington Affiliate

LifeSPAN is modeled after and affiliated with PLAN™ located in British Columbia, Canada. “TM” denotes the trademark for Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN™ of Canada), used under license to LifeSPAN.

For an evaluation of PLAN's work, see Social Audit Report. Also, see Philia for information about PLAN's approach to how people with disabilities contribute to their community and society.

Visit the Ties That Bind website to discover, participate and be inspired by this fully accessible site, which begins by telling the Jordan story. This is your opportunity to take part and make changes in your own community by telling your story and sharing your opinions.

Other PLAN™ Affiliates

LACL PLAN
www.lethbridgeacl.org

Lifetime Networks Ottawa
www.lifetimenetworks.ca

Okanagan Lifetime Networks Association
www.olna.ca

WSEP Lifetime Networks
www.reseauxpour
lavenir.qc.ca

Resources from
PLAN™

Photo of book A Good Life by Al Etmanski

To order this and other resources, print the
Order Form (Word)
(or PDF), complete it,
and mail it with a check
to LifeSPAN.

Income earned from
sales helps support
LifeSPAN’s work.

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