Now, it’s the “Oh $hit, I’m almost 70” phase. —70. A milestone that once felt impossibly far off is now here, present, lived-in. I still feel young in many ways, but the truth is undeniable: I am in the phase of life where you can’t pretend there’s still plenty of time to get everything in order. The runway is shorter now. I’ve been reflecting a lot lately. Ten more years of love, worry, planning, fatigue, advocacy, joy, and fear. Ten years watching Lauren grow, shift, surprise me, and need me—still. Ten years of doing my best to hand off pieces of the puzzle, bit by bit, without letting the whole thing fall apart. And ten more years of quietly, painfully asking myself: • Is it enough? • Will it hold when I’m gone? • Who will catch her if she falls—and will they see her, the whole her? I’ve lived with these questions longer than I care to admit. I speak to families every week who are just beginning this journey, or who are stuck in that loop: “I know I should plan, but it’s...

The Missing Link: California's Failure to Include Families in Person-Centered Care Education California has made significant investments in person-centered care, allocating substantial funding to train providers and agencies in this transformative approach that prioritizes individual preferences, choices, and quality of life. Yet there's a glaring oversight in this well-intentioned effort: the families who provide daily care and maintain 24/7 responsibility for their loved ones are being left out of the education process. The Provider-Focused Approach State funding flows generously toward professional development programs, training workshops, and certification courses for service providers. Agencies receive resources to restructure their programs around person-centered principles. Care coordinators attend seminars on implementing individualized planning processes. This professional education infrastructure is robust and comprehensive. But person-centered care isn't just...