About Us

The I’m Determined project, a state-directed project funded by the Virginia Department of Education, focuses 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. Below is a video describing these three concepts.

The I’m Determined Team is structured into regions, serving out of Virginia’s Training & Technical Assistance Centers (TTACs). TTAC offices are located at universities spread across the state.

Each region is composed of Determinators (project coordinators) and State Youth Leaders who provide engaging opportunities for youth, educators, and families to practice self-determination skills.

The I’m Determined Project is served by a leadership team made up of two Co-State Coordinators, a Principal Investigator, and a VDOE Specialist.