2a-3 Family Navigator Project

2022

Family members of people with DD who have become experienced, skillful advocates are an important resource for other people with disabilities and families who are still trying to understand a diagnosis, navigate healthcare service systems, access resources, and prepare for and navigate transition to adult life. Our family navigator program, staffed by parents and individuals with DD, provides support and advocacy to other families; participates in training medical students, residents and fellows in providing person- and family-centered care for people with DD; and develops advocacy skills in the individuals and families they support to create systems change. Our program includes staff representing multiple cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including Black, American Indian, Asian (Korean, Chinese, Indian) and Latinx. New and existing navigators will be trained to serve as cultural brokers to various communities to increase engagement in hard to reach populations, and for Covid-19 vaccine access. The program supports families during the healthcare transition from pediatrics to adult medicine. Additional families are supported through monthly parent education groups. We have leveraged funding from our Autism Centers of Excellence and our MIND Clinic to support this program and have partnered with the AIR-B to implement a navigator curriculum for underserved families. We partnered with our LEND program to provide a very popular mindfulness group for parents that address stress. Expected benefits: Improved quality of life for people with DD and their families. Improvement in the responsiveness of medical service delivery systems.

Continuing Education/Community Training

Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English

Mulit-County

N/A