Iowa Works Together to Address the DSP Workforce Shortage

Recently, our UCEDD joined our sister agency, the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, and other organizations, including the Iowa Association of Community Partners, Iowa Caregivers Association, ASK Resource Center, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Serves and Iowa Workforce Development, to develop a new recruiting tool. "A Job That Matters: Learn How You Could Become a Direct Support Professional" is publication that features a series of stories about the job, the people who need supports and services to live in the community, and the people who do these jobs in different ways. The publication was recently inserted into local Sunday newspapers and is being circulated electronically throughout the state to build awareness and support DSP recruitment.

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center Creates Dental Certificate Training Program for Community Providers

Dental care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) is a challenge and a national issue. In 2021, the American Dental Association recognized this issue and approved Resolution 49 which recommended the expansion of training programs of dentists, hygienists, dental and dental hygiene students to meet the needs of this severely underserved population. To address this issue, The Ohio State University Nisonger Center partnered with the Delta Dental Foundation of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina (Delta Dental) to create a specialized certificate training program that aims to improve access to oral health care for individuals with ID/DD.

Apply Now! Become a 2023 Think College Policy Advocate!

The Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) and Think College National Coordinating Center (NCC) are happy to announce this opportunity to learn and practice policy advocacy skills is once again available to students and staff of inclusive higher education programs. If you or someone you know works for or attends a postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disability, you can apply to be a Think College Policy Advocate (TCPA).

UCLA PEERS for Careers: Breaking Employment Barriers for Autistic Adults

There will be an estimated 700,000 autistic adults aging into adulthood over the next 10 years and yet, a staggering 80% of autistic adults are unemployed. UCLA PEERS� for Careers is an innovative offering to support autistic undergraduate and graduate students in successfully transitioning from post-secondary education to the workforce.

Winter 2023 Issue of the "Disability RAPP"

In the Winter 2023 issue of the Disability RAPP, we look at how the language we use when talking about disability affects the way we see ourselves and each other. Learn how the systemic use of ableist language has cultivated exclusionary policies and how the evolution of language can help us break down barriers to inclusion and foster a sense of dignity for people with disabilities.

Iowa's Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Launches Training Series

Iowa's Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health (CEBH) recently launched a virtual training series, which will help build the capacity of Iowa's providers to ensure people with serious mental illness have access to the treatment they need to help them live healthy, meaningful lives in the community. CEBH is one of the newest grant programs based at Iowa's UCEDD, the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD, Iowa's UCEDD).

University of Kansas Black Feathers Podcast

Hosted by mental health experts Crystal Hernandez, who has a doctorate in psychology, and Shauna Humphreys, a licensed professional counselor, "Black Feathers" is a product of the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ongoing Longitudinal Data Project of National Significance and produced with support from the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD), a part of the KU Life Span Institute. Episodes focus on Native American experiences with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health, anxiety disorders and health care access, among other topics.

UCEDD Volunteer Wins 2023 President's Volunteer Award

Racheal Barnes, volunteer with the Training, Resources and Information for the Advancement of Disability (TRIAD) Service program, was recognized with a 2023 President's Volunteer Service Award in the Lifetime Achievement category. Racheal served four years as a national service member with the TRIAD program and has been a volunteer for the past seven years.

2023 NIRS Formularios en Papel

Iowa Promotes Competitive Integrated Employment through Participation in ASPIRE

Iowa was selected by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, as one of seven states participating in the second round of the ASPIRE Initiative-Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment. Iowa is one of four states that participated in the first round of the initiative, with the overall goal of promoting competitive integrated employment for individuals with mental health conditions by aligning state policies, programs, and funding.