About | Shift

A New Way Forward
We believe in Dual-Dream Advocacy

SHIFT represents a fundamental shift in how we approach special needs planning—one that honors the complete humanity, dreams, and realities of both children with disabilities and their families. We help families design care plans that work not just for the next IEP meeting, but for the entire arc of a lifetime, with tools that bring clarity, genuine connection, and lasting peace of mind.

Breaking the Convenient Myth

We've taken a stand against what we call the "Convenient Myth"—the widespread assumption that parents of children with special needs will remain forever-caregivers, handling everything indefinitely. This myth is "convenient" because it allows society, service agencies, and policymakers to delay meaningful investment in real solutions. After all, why build robust systems when parents will "just figure it out"?

The devastating result? Families are left attempting the impossible while the system offers band-aids and chronically underfunded programs. The true price is paid by exhausted parents running on empty, overwhelmed siblings carrying adult burdens, and adults with disabilities who never receive the support they deserve. The Convenient Myth isn't just unfair—it's crisis fuel, primed to explode the moment a parent can no longer hold everything together.

SHIFT is pioneering a better path forward.

Dual-Dream Advocacy: A New Paradigm

Traditional planning focuses on succession—an absence-based model that assumes everything will magically fall into place once parents are no longer in the picture. We reject this reactive approach entirely.

Instead, Dual-Dream Advocacy recognizes that parents deserve rest, renewal, and continued purpose in their own lives, while children with disabilities deserve supported, secure, and deeply meaningful lives. These aren't competing needs—they're complementary dreams that can and must coexist.

We champion Transition Planning: a deliberate, step-by-step process of thoughtfully replacing parental oversight with a sustainable network of people, systems, and routines—all implemented before any crisis hits. This isn't about planning for your absence; it's about designing your family's thriving future.

Our Approach in Action

When you work with SHIFT, you're not just getting another service provider. You're joining a movement that:

Challenges systems to deliver realistic, sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes
Empowers families with practical tools for long-term transition planning
Advocates upstream for policy changes that support entire families, not just individuals
Builds community among families navigating similar journeys
Honors dignity by treating every person—parent and child alike—as deserving of their best possible life

Why SHIFT Exists

We founded SHIFT because we've seen too many families trapped in unsustainable cycles, believing they have no choice but to sacrifice their own wellbeing indefinitely. We've witnessed the toll of systems that demand everything from parents while providing little in return. And we've experienced firsthand how the right structure, stories, and support can transform what feels impossible into something achievable.

Every family deserves a future that works—for everyone. With the right approach, that future isn't just a dream. It's a plan.

Ready to Shift Your Perspective?

If you're tired of being told to "just manage" and ready to start building something sustainable, we're here to help. Because your family's story deserves more than survival—it deserves to thrive.

A New Way Forward We believe in Dual-Dream Advocacy