About Us

This year, I’m Determined is becoming an independent center headquartered at James Madison University. This change means we will have more resources, staff, and capacity to support youth, educators, and families.

I’m Determined was created as a state-directed project funded by the Virginia Department of Education. We focus on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior. This project facilitates youth, especially those with disabilities, to undertake a measure of control in their lives, helping to set and steer the course rather than remaining the silent passenger.

Much of our work comes from research around three psychological needs: Competence, Autonomy, and Relatedness (CAR). We have found that when a person can experience high levels of CAR, it opens up greater opportunities to experience high levels of self-determination and well-being. The I’m Determined Elements add skills, abilities, and beliefs that can be practiced in the educational and home environment.