$50,000 grant will fund program to form partnerships with families, medical professionals and adults with intellectual/developmental disability
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A new initiative led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development is seeking to enhance the partnership among medical professionals, adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), family members and disability providers that supports informed choice and supported decision making (SDM) practices on health care decisions. The initiative, Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC): Health Care Preferences and SDM for People with IDD, is one of four programs around the nation selected to receive $50,000 grants from the WITH Foundation and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry.
“We received a number of strong proposals from all across the country. It is a privilege to support these efforts, as they work to expand the awareness and understanding of informed SDM, at both the local and national level” said Ryan Easterly, Executive Director of the WITH Foundation.
Utilizing a multi-level approach that enhances knowledge and skills, CtLC will provide training and coaching on SDM and facilitate effective communication with the target groups in the St. Joseph, Mo area. St. Joseph-based CtLC partners include:
- Progressive Community Services (PCS),
- United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Mo and Easterseals Midwest,
- and Mosaic Life Care
CtLC will build upon existing initiatives and partnerships and result in the creation of a two-phase SDM training and coaching curriculum accessible across its lifespan. IHD is the lead developer of the CtLC framework and tools for families and professionals, used by 17 states in the National Community of Practice. CtLC resources and practices are being developed and tested by professionals, and families within disability, education, employment, social services and health care settings (www.supportstofamilies.org).
Other organizations selected for funding:
- The University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute
- The National Disability Rights Network
- The Arc of California
About the UMKC Institute for Human Development
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD) houses the federally designated University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) for the state of Missouri. Since 1977, UMKC-IHD has implemented projects that focus on building fully inclusive communities where people with disabilities have the capacity and freedom to choose the kind of life they want with the supports they select. UMKC-IHD’s expertise in community applied research, culturally competent staff and polices, strong ability to partner for social change, experience with relevant curriculum and access to existing national dissemination structures makes UMKC-IHD highly qualified for this project. This project furthers our ongoing work to promote self-determination, supports to families and community capacity building.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on its six-part mission: placing student success at the center; leading in life and health sciences; advancing urban engagement; excelling in visual and performing arts; embracing diversity; and promoting research and economic development. For more information about UMKC, visit umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, see us on Instagram and watch us on YouTube. Read our students’ stories at #UMKCGoingPlaces.
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