ADD Core Administrative Grant

2003

Overall objectives for 2002-2007. Objectives are divided by areas of emphasis, with major goals listed in each area. Early Intervention. Increase inclusion of young children with disabilities in Early Head Start and Head Start; Assess the impact of Early Head Start on young children, including those with developmental disabilities; Improve access to early intervention services for underserved, culturally-diverse children living in rural Arkansas; Decrease the impact of substance abuse and mental health problems on young children. Education. Reduce the number of due process hearings and administrative complaints in pilot areas of the state; Prepare regular and special education teachers, administrators and related services personnel to provide appropriate educational services for students with traumatic brain injury (TBI); Increase inclusion of children with disabilities in faith-based programs; Field test the use of sensory-based interventions with young children who have difficulty in areas of attention, modulation and impulse control. Health. Increase the ability of health professionals to provide services to children with developmental disabilities, especially those living in rural areas; Develop and improve a system of ensuring that children with developmental disabilities and other special health care needs have a medical home that is responsive to their needs through training and evaluation of a model medical home project; Improve the capacity of school systems to better meet the health needs of children who are medically fragile, technology dependent or chronically ill; Improve the capacity of the Arkansas Department of Health to work with persons with disabilities; Increase access to dental services for persons with developmental and other disabilities; Decrease the complications of multiple medication prescriptions and their side effects in person with disabilities. Quality Assurance. Improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities living in community settings; Reduce the violence and abuse of people with disabilities; Improve the capacity of the mental health system to support people with disabilities; Improve the capacity of rape and sexual assault programs, courts and law enforcement agencies to respond to violence and abuse of people with disabilities. Transportation. Increase transportation options for people with disabilities. Housing. Promote “universal design” as the preferred style for everyone; Develop a cost-effective procedure for making existing housing accessible. Other. Improve awareness and knowledge of autism in the state; Improve pre-service training on developmental disabilities in journalism, architecture and engineering; Increase grass roots advocacy in at least one area of the state; Promote a positive image of persons with disabilities. Significance: The activities under these goals will lead to improved quality of life for and full inclusion of persons with developmental and other disabilities and their families. Goals will be accomplished by leveraging the ADD Core funding to find state and federal funding sources and by collaboration with other stakeholders and their resources.

early intervention, health, quality assurance

Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Transportation-Related Activities

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups

Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional

N/A