Project Description:
PROJECT ABSTRACT
The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development-University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (GU-UCEDD) is guided by the principle that individuals who experience developmental disabilities and their families will be afforded the opportunities to live independent and productive lives, and be integrated and fully included into their communities.
To address the needs within the District of Columbia, and the national and international mandates required by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, the GU-UCEDD has established the following goals:
Goal 1.The GU-UCEDD will provide interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education to individuals that will enable them to provide a broad array of services and supports to people who experience developmental and other disabilities and their families.
Expected benefits: 1) the extent to which it builds the capacity of GU Law Center and the interdisciplinary trainees to appropriately represent and advocate on behalf of underserved families, children and youth who experience disability from racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse groups; and 2) consumer satisfaction with the legal advocacy services they receive.
Objective 1.2. To conduct up to two continuing education events per year for 60 personnel providing services and supports to adults who experience developmental disabilities and their families that result in improved quality of life.
Expected benefits: 1) an increased number of personnel who have improved their knowledge and skills to serve and support people who experience developmental disabilities and their families in the District of Columbia; 2) the satisfaction of consumers and their families with the provision of services and supports.
Goal 2. The GU-UCEDD will provide community services and technical assistance that support advocacy, capacity building and systemic change among the network of individuals and programs that impacts people who experience developmental disabilities, from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups, living in underserved urban settings.
Objective 2.1 To conduct up to three training and technical assistance initiatives per year that will enable individuals who experience developmental and other disabilities from diverse cultural and linguistic groups to advocate on their own behalf.
Expected benefits: 1) an established and sustained statewide network of self-advocates across disability groups, which is representative of the cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity of residents of the District of Columbia, i2) improved capacity of coalitions, agencies and organizations, that advocate on behalf of the District's Latino community, to include the interests and needs of people who experience developmental and other disabilities and their families.
Expected benefits: 1) increased collaboration between the ADD funded grantees in the District; and 2) improved capacity of members to advocate and effectively participate on councils and committees.
Objective 2.2 To convene one working group annually to examine critical issues and make policy recommendations related to areas of emphasis as identified and prioritized by the GU-UCEDD Consumer Advisory Council.
Expected benefits: a defined collaborative process to impact policy making to improve consumer satisfaction with services and supports they receive.
Objective 2.3. To conduct four workshops and provide consultation to community agencies to build their capacity to accommodate their services and supports to the needs of individuals who experience developmental and other disabilities and their families.
Expected benefits: the improved capacity of the Family Division, DC Superior Court, to respond to the needs of children, youth, families and individuals at risk for and who experience a broad range of disabilities in the District of Columbia.
Goal 3.The GU-UCEDD will contribute to new knowledge to inform the development of public policy impacting people who experience developmental disabilities and their families in the District of Columbia.
Objective 3.1 To research and analyze salient data related to areas of emphasis as identified and prioritized by the GU-UCEDD Consumer Advisory Council.
Expected benefits: improvement in the quality of information available to inform key constituencies in decision-making that impacts the lives of people who experience developmental and other disabilities in the District of Columbia.
Objective 3.2. To develop products, position papers and briefings that educates and informs, legislators, policy makers, consumers and advocates on the development of public policy that improves the quality of life for individuals who experience developmental disabilities and their families.
Expected benefits: improvement in the quality and availability of information that is accessible to the broad constituency of individuals and groups concerned with developmental and other disabilities.
Goal 4. The GU-UCEDD will disseminate information that will improve the lives of people who experience developmental disabilities to achieve self-determination and full inclusion in all aspects of community life.
Expected benefits: improvement in the quality and availability of information that is accessible to the broad constituency of individuals and groups concerned with developmental and other disabilities.
Objective 4.1. To use Web-based and electronic communication technology to disseminate information that will impact advocacy, capacity building and systemic change within the District of Columbia and among the national network of UCEDDs.
Expected benefits: improvement in the quantity and accessibility of information concerning people who experience developmental and other disabilities available to the general public.
Objective 4.2 To conduct one videoconference per year to enhance the capacity of the network of ADD-funded programs to incorporate principles and practices of cultural and linguistic competence commensurate with their mandates.
Expected benefits: improved collaboration within the UCEDD network to share information and resources that will enhance the provision of services and supports to people who experience developmental and other disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
NEEDS
In the District there is a need to shift from a systems-based model of service delivery to person-centered or family-centered approaches that are based on consumer choices, easily accessible, cost-efficient, and effective. There is a need for information dissemination within the diverse network of individuals, agencies and organizations concerned with developmental disabilities to effect policy and practice, and bring about systems change. The District's early intervention and child care systems need training, personnel development and technical assistance activities to continue to build their capability to provide services to children who experience developmental delays and disabilities in inclusive settings, using family-centered and culturally competent practices. The DC Public Schools System is in need of technical assistance and continuing education, at both the administrative and classroom levels, to develop, implement and evaluate special education services that are inclusive, and which incorporate most recent approaches, technologies and philosophies based on proven research and advances in the field. There is a need for systemic change within the District's public and private service agencies for adults who experience developmental disabilities to convert to services and supports that offer more meaningful opportunities for work, recreation, consumer choice and community inclusion. There is a need for service all service delivery systems to develop policies, procedures and practices that are culturally and linguistically competent and which are responsive to the needs and preferences of individuals and families from ethnically and linguistically diverse groups.
Keyword(s):
self-advocacy, cultural and linguistic competence, collaboration, poverty
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban, Specific Groups
