Over the course of 20 years at the Institute for Community Inclusion, I have had leadership roles in projects related to family engagement, transition, and employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in particular, making me well suited as Principal Investigator on the current application. I have developed expertise in research and evaluation of transition practices as it relates to employment, post-secondary education, and community life engagement for youth with IDD. I am currently Co-PI on a 4-year research project exploring transfer-of-rights and guardianship for transition aged youth with IDD funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, as well as Co-PI on a 5-year National Youth Resource Center on Alternatives to Guardianship funded by the Administration on Community Living. I recently acted as Principal Investigator on two lines of research as part of ICI’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Advancing Employment for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. One is related to organizational transformation of employment support providers seeking to close their sheltered workshops and the other involves research around the creation of a comprehensive information, outreach, and support framework for parents of youth with IDD that enables ready and timely access to information about employment throughout the lifespan. My research interests stem from my background providing direct services to families with children with disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and special health care needs.
We have created a series of four Engage Briefs to examine the guideposts in detail. This brief explores the need to create supports that oriented toward goals and outcomes, and to implement a plan for monitoring progress.
We have created a series of four Engage Briefs to examine the guideposts in detail. This brief explores how to use natural social supports to help individuals transition away from paid supports.
We have created a series of four Engage Briefs to examine the guideposts in detail. This brief explores the need to implement a plan to help individuals participate in and contribute to their communities.
We have created a series of four Engage Briefs to examine the guideposts in detail. This brief explores the need to tailor supports to an individual's needs and goals.
Watch the recorded webinar here. This webinar was so popular, we decided to run it again! Provider agencies across the country are transitioning from segregated “sheltered” workshop options to supporting integrated community careers for people with disabilities. This process of organizational transformation can be both exciting and challenging for provider staff and the people they serve.
Watch the recorded webinar here. Provider agencies across the country are transitioning from segregated “sheltered” workshop options to supporting integrated community careers for people with disabilities.
The findings from the Delphi Process on Organizational Transformation can guide providers as they work to transform their services. These findings support the prioritization of goals and the development of key action areas that have proven successful.
In this brief, we will:
1. share ten essential elements in organizational transformation ranked in their order of importance according to ICI’s Delphi process, and
2. offer a set of considerations to providers as they move their organizational transformation efforts forward.
The purpose of this brief is to:
1. Present findings from 13 expert interviews regarding essential elements of high-quality Community Life Engagement, organized into four guideposts.
2. Consider these guideposts as a set of key principles states and providers can use to move their Community Life Engagement efforts forward.
A key area of focus for our Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) is organizational transformation, leading to improved employment outcomes for those served by community provider organizations.
