Prevention & Wellness

In 2007 the US Department of Health and Human Services put an emphasis on the health and wellness of individuals with disabilities. Following are some news items, resources, events, and summaries of current legislation in this area.

News

ReDiscover at Texas A&M University (TX UCEDD)
ReDiscovery Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas Austin In late August, 2017, Hurricane Harvey brought insurmountable devastation to the Texas coast. A year later, the effects of Hurricane Harvey continue to be felt, especially amongst individuals with disabilities and individuals with other functional and access needs. In a combined effort, the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University and the Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas Austin created ReDiscovery. ReDiscovery is training, technical assistance, and educational materials on supports, services, and resources in Texas for individuals with disabilities and other functional and access who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Va-LEND Welcomes New FME Coordinator
Kathryn "Kate" Flinn is the new Family Mentorship Experience Coordinator (FME) at Va-LEND. Although she became the new FME Coordinator this past July, Kate's connection with Va-LEND began four years ago. According to Kate, in September of 2014 she worked with Va-LEND Trainees on an autism fitness program where she coordinated at the YMCA in Richmond, for teens with Asperger's/High Functioning Autism. Kate has a son who is on the Autism Disability Spectrum (ASD).
Predictors of Self-Determination in Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MA UCEDD/LEND)
Authored by AUCD Network Members

ICI's Meg Grigal, Debra Hart, and Frank Smith; along with researchers from the University of Kansas; co-authored an article for the Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities Journal titled, "Predictors of Self-Determination in Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities."
Summer Programs have an Impact on Over 110 Participants (TX UCEDD)
The Center on Disability and Development supports several summer programs; this year there were 111 participants, as well as 49 staff and mentors who supported and supervised the participants.

Past Events

AACPDM 72nd Annual Meeting

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - Saturday, October 13, 2018
Location: Cincinnati, OH

The 2018 Scientific Program Committee is pleased to announce that the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) will take place October 9-13, 2018 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. "Transformative Journeys" is the theme for the meeting.

2018 Annual Coleman Institute Conference on Cognitive Disability and Technology

Thursday, October 4, 2018
Location: Broomfield, CO

REGISTRATION for the 2018 Coleman Conference is now open. For more information about this year's conference and to register, please visit: www.colemaninstitute.org

Attachment, Neurodevelopment & Psychopathology Conference

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 - Friday, September 21, 2018
Location: Iowa City, IA

This 3-day course covers the development, prevention, and treatment of psychological disorder. It weaves together theory, human development, assessment, case examples, and treatment applications to reframe maladpative behavior in terms of strategies for self-protection. The course covers development from infancy to adulthood, emphasizing the process of adaptation and developmental pathways that carry risk for psychopathology.

You are important to me: Help your DSPs be the best they can be

Tuesday, September 18, 2018
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar

Our understanding of persons with intellectual disabilities doesn't have to be highly scientific or complex. Let's make it simple. Let's create a concrete and small step process to help your direct service providers (DSPs) be better at their work. Use this framework. Walk just a minute in my shoes. How does my brain work? What makes sense to me? What am I trying to tell you with words and actions? What do I feel and understand about my body? About you? About my world?

Sex Talk for Self-Advocates #2

Monday, September 17, 2018
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar

Join us for Sex Talk for Self-Advocates Webinar #2. Using real self-advocate questions from a survey, three professional sexuality educators will answer questions about relationships and sexuality.

Disability Inclusion: NIH All of Us Research Program

Saturday, July 21, 2018
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar

Please join the Friends of NCBDDD for this webinar to inform disability and health organizations, researchers, public health practitioners and key influencers about the All of US Research Program, as well as the importance of including people with disabilities in this large inclusive research program. The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is partnering with NIH to increase awareness about this important and inclusive national research program. The webinar will include information about ways the disability community can be engaged in this national effort across communities in the United States.

Resources

HRSA Issues Hurricane Resources for Children with Special Health Care Needs
In collaboration with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, HRSA has developed a collection of resources informing hurricane response and recovery for families, organizations, and clinicians caring for children with special health care needs.
Integrating Infectious Disease Prevention and Treatment into the Opioid Response
The opioid crisis in the United States is devastating the lives of millions of Americans. Perhaps overshadowed by the alarming rise in overdoses and deaths is the accompanying numbers of injection-related infectious diseases. Opioid overdose deaths increased fivefold from 1999 to 2016, and new hepatitis C infections more than tripled from 2010 to 2016.
Healthy Weight Research Network (HWRN) Update
The Healthy Weight Research Network for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities (HWRN) was established in July 2013 with Autism CARES funding via the Maternal Child Health Bureau�s (MCHB). The HWRN is led by researchers at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School, in collaboration with Tufts University School of Medicine. The HWRN�s mission is to advance the understanding of obesity risk factors in children with ASD and other developmental disabilities, to promote the development of evidence-based solutions to achieve healthy weight in this population, and to disseminate research findings to broad and diverse audiences.
At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments
from http://www.astho.org
Center for Health Promotion Research for People with Disabilities
from http://uic-chp.org
Center on Health Promotion Research for Persons with Disabilities
from http://uic-chp.org
Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities
from http://www.hesperian.org
The AUCD Network: Promoting Wellness for Persons with Disabilities
An abridged sampling for download and printing of wellness promotion activities
Senator Harkin Reintroduces Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act
Senator Harkin's floor statement.