2020-2021 UCEDD Resource Center (URC) Evaluation Report

Executive Summary

In 2020-2021, the UCEDD Resource Center (URC) accomplished all our goals from the prior year. The first full year of website analytics data from all three URC websites has been leveraged for strategic decision-making. An accessibility evaluation for online communications was completed in August 2021 and will inform improvements to be implemented in the coming year. The global survey was adapted into Spanish and plain language to ensure linguistic accessibility in our data collection process. Finally, the URC has incorporated evidence-based models for training and technical assistance (T/TA) into the T/TA provided to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) through rapid responses, collaborations, high-quality disseminations, and intensive, individualized support.

Throughout the contract span, the URC responded to 703 requests for information and assistance; developed and/or disseminated 79 unique products in response to emerging TA needs as well as disseminated eight recurring products on a weekly, semi-weekly, monthly, or annual basis; was the catalyst for 72 collaborations; and hosted 36 TA events. TA was provided most frequently on the topics of federal reporting, federal partner communications, activity planning and evaluation, and grant application assistance.

This evaluation report has helped to identify limitations and learning opportunities, as well as recognize achievements and inform goals for next year. Ongoing challenges related to ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; a significant drop on the global survey response rates; and staff turnover were all identified as limitation for this year’s training and TA and evaluation.

When looking at these opportunities to grow, the achievements of the past year are noticeable:

• All 67 UCEDDs received some form of technical assistance.
• The URC continues to develop meaningful collaborators at the local, state, and national levels.
• The URC’s focus on modeling and implementing equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives has been effective. In the global survey over 97% of respondents (44) felt that the technical assistance that they received from the URC was delivered in a manner that was inclusive, accessible, and culturally and linguistically competent; and
• Over 93% of TA participants felt the TA received enhanced their UCEDD's ability to meet the purpose of the DD Act.

As the fourth year of the evaluation collection and summary concludes and the 2016-2021 T/TA contract closes out, the URC identifies three goals for the year ahead. We will focus efforts toward ensuring accessibility in all T/TA activities.

We will enhance resource and information dissemination efforts to increase awareness of new and existing resources. We will increase engagement in our events implementing evidence-based models that are responsive to network members’ requests and reflect the 2021-2022 contract priorities of T/TA that is innovative, high-quality, efficient, effective and outcome driven.