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.
Access the latest information about employment and economic self-sufficiency for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Both national and state-level statistics are included.
Watch the recorded webinar here. In the fall of 2017, researchers from the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) will lead a series of online discussions on the "State of the Science" (SoS) in employment for people with IDD.
Download the slides here. In conjunction with The Arc of the United States, this powerpoint offers ten essential elements necessary for successful organizational transformation, along with strategies for implementing each element.
Community providers across the nation are embracing the transformation from facility-based employment supports to competitive integrated employment. While many providers believe in inclusion and Employment First for the individuals they support, some struggle to make their vision a reality. The process of organizational transformation can seem daunting without an understanding of the full range of tactics and approaches available.
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.
