Re-Release! This episode was recorded as a live interview at the CORE 2024 Staff Conference - December 2024.

We thought it would be interesting to revisit this conversation, a reminder that if the structures we work within now are no longer funded or supported, how can we build something better? How can we take advantage of this season of tumult and change and use it as an opportunity for innovation?

Guest Bio:

Dr. Amy Hewitt has worked for over 40 years to improve community inclusion and quality of life for children, youth and adults with disabilities and their families. She is the current director of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. There she conducts research, evaluation, and demonstration projects on community living and belonging for children, youth and adults with disabilities and the direct support workforce.

*A quick note: As of this recording, Congress is still in the appropriations process, and funding for UCEDDs is at risk. You can help protect the future of disability services, research, and training by contacting your members of Congress today.

For the latest policy updates and information on how you can make a difference for the future of disability programs like ours, visit ⁠https://www.aucd.org/speak-up-for-ucedds ⁠.

You can also use AUCD’s action tool to send a message to your congress people in 2 minutes: ⁠https://aucd.quorum.us/campaign/133226/⁠

Resources in this episode:

- University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration: ⁠https://ici.umn.edu/⁠

- Support Wise Project, ICI: ⁠https://ici.umn.edu/products/-lbb3o-EQb-BhGAHTFH8Tg⁠

- Reinventing Quality Conference: ⁠https://reinventingquality.org/⁠

- Impact Magazine: ⁠https://ici.umn.edu/series/14⁠

- ADDM Network: ⁠https://www.cdc.gov/autism/addm-network/index.html⁠

Acronym Guide:

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

DSP: Direct Support Professional

ADDM: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Site

For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.eduInterview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/