About the Optimal Continuum of Supports Compass
The Optimal Continuum of Supports is built on the idea that we first must assure the basic health and well-being of a person before services and therapeutic interventions can be successful. The Optimal Continuum recognizes that proactive, upstream strategies give the best opportunity for individuals to live a good life, using targeted supports and crisis services only when necessary. The Optimal Continuum of Supports is a framework designed to help shift state disability systems toward a proactive, holistic, and personalized approach, emphasizing safety and wellness as prerequisites for successful therapeutic interventions. This guidance provides a model for state disability systems to analyze their current policies, programs, workforce, and monitoring.
Supporting Materials
- Optimal Continuum of Supports Compass Workbook
- Optimal Continuum of Supports Compass Framework
- National Core Indicators Continuum Supplement: Basic Needs
- Optimal Continuum of Supports Compass Excel Tool
Webinar Series
Creating an Optimal Continuum of Supports: Do We Really Mean Everyone?
Creating a state system that supports everyone-even those challenging our system
This four-part interactive webinar series will explore how states can design and strengthen a continuum of supports grounded in wellness, prevention, and person-centered practices across the lifespan. Sign up today! Registration required at THIS LINK.
Together, we will:
- Operationalize a full continuum of supports and services focused on health, safety, and prevention for all.
- Introduce a practical state tool to review policy, services, practices, and outcomes — including how NCI data can inform continuous improvement.
- Highlight state examples in every session, showcasing real-world strategies and lessons learned.
- Strengthen cross-system collaboration, recognizing that people are multi-dimensional and no single system can meet all needs alone.
2026 Session Dates
- Optimal Continuum Action Collaborative: Health and Basic Needs – March 24 at 3:00-5:00 pm ET-see materials below!
- Optimal Continuum Action Collaborative: Universal Supports – June 24 at 3:00-5:00 pm ET
- Optimal Continuum Action Collaborative: Targeted Supports – September 23 at 3:00-5:00 pm ET
- Optimal Continuum Action Collaborative: Crisis Services – December 14 at 3:00-5:00 pm ET
These sessions are designed for NASDDDS members and their state partners. We encourage you to invite cross-system colleagues — because building an optimal continuum takes collective leadership. You may attend individual sessions, but we strongly recommend participating in the full series to understand the Optimal Continuum of Supports framework in its entirety and how each dimension connects.