Project Description:
The Parenting with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Project in Washington State is a component of a larger community partnership with Disability Rights Washington (DRW), Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), and the Allies in Advocacy (collectively the AIDD network partners) focusing on the rights of parents with IDD. The purpose of the first UCEDD study was to examine Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations related to parenting with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) in Washington State. Using a mixed methods design, researchers attempted to document the prevalence of CPS investigations of parents with IDD at the birth of the child, the reasons given for the investigation, the supports available to the parents with IDD, and the current science in supporting parents with IDD. Following interviews with parents, Developmental Disabilities Administration case managers, a review of the national CPS data reporting, and an extensive literature review, a final report was completed. The report included both research and policy recommendations to address the lack of available information from state agencies on the experience of parents with IDD and CPS.
The second phase of the study investigated birth records of infants born to mothers with a diagnosis of IDD in Washington State over a 14 year period and linked those with Children s Administration records to track the parents involvement with CPS. The findings were summarized in an article, Prevalence of Births and Interactions with Child Protective Services of Children Born to Mothers Diagnosed with An Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability, published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal. The collaboration related to parenting with IDD continues with the AIDD network partners and the Washington State Arc, as well as other researchers at the University of Washington, in order to improve our understanding of the prevalence and experience of parents with IDD and CPS in our state and ensure that they receive the supports they need to successfully parent. Findings from the first phase of research have been presented at local meetings and national conferences.
