Support Coordination – Complexity

This document explores how Support Coordination can drive meaningful change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) by embracing complexity rather than rigid, ordered systems. ​ It advocates for inclusion, self-direction, and co-creation of supports, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches that empower individuals and families to live fulfilling lives in their communities. ​ Using the Cynefin Framework, the authors highlight the need to adapt decision-making processes to the unique challenges of each situation, moving beyond compliance-driven routines to foster innovation and real progress. ​

Key insights include the importance of building relationships, amplifying what works, and experimenting with safe-to-fail approaches to discover new pathways for inclusion. ​ The document critiques current administrative trends that treat Support Coordination as a checklist-driven task, arguing that this diminishes its potential to create transformative change. ​ It calls for a shift toward flexible boundaries, creative partnerships, and active investment in community-building efforts. ​

Readers will learn about the historical evolution of Support Coordination, contrasting earlier, more innovative practices with today’s compliance-heavy systems. The authors propose actionable futures, such as reclaiming practices from the Self-Determination era and empowering families and individuals to push the boundaries of inclusion. ​ The document also highlights the role of agencies like Neighbours, Inc., which strive to balance ordered tasks with the creative work of fostering self-direction and inclusion. ​

This is a must-read for advocates, policymakers, and service providers seeking to understand how to navigate complexity and co-create meaningful change in the lives of people with ID/DD. ​ It’s about moving beyond the margins and building a world where everyone belongs. ​