Project Description:
Entered by ZD, confirmed by BK on 2/8/18 - The University of Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD), a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), in partnership with the University of Memphis, a minority-serving institution, develops and implements a sustainable diversity fellowship to address disparities experienced by historically underrepresented communities in Memphis. Objectives include: (1) formalized participation of a doctoral level student of minority status with a personal experience of disability within the community and training operations of an urban UCEDD; (2) as part of a capstone project, collaborate with local and statewide DD agencies to connect communities of color and disability not sufficiently represented within the UCEDD and DD Network; (3) develop knowledge and skills necessary to provide culturally competent, comprehensive, coordinated family-centered care for people with disabilities from a wide variety of backgrounds and family structures; and (4) help inform and expand the reach of family centered and culturally competent services for communities and groups historically underserved by the UCEDD. Planned outcomes include a new training pipeline with a minority-serving institution, increased diversity on the UCEDDs Community Advisory Council, a new community partnership with an organization that serves adults with I/DD, new focus group data from an underserved community in Memphis, and a presentation/poster at a national conference.