Lawrence — With more than 50 years of federal funding, the Center for Research at the University of Kansas, which focuses on intellectual and developmental disabilities, is expanding its efforts to help Kansas people with disabilities and their families. , received $2.9 million in grants over five years.
Grants from the Office of Community Life Services, Office of Intellectual Developmental Disabilities fund the core work of the University of Kansas Center for Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD), which is based at the KU Life Span Institute. This center is part of a network of 67 such university centers.
The center’s core activities — research, community service, training and education, and information dissemination — directly benefit the people of Kansas, says Karrie Shogren, professor of special education at Ross and Marianna Beach and director of KUCDD. says Mr.
“This grant continues KUCDD’s efforts to directly engage people with disabilities and their families in research and training, building inclusive communities, and disseminating information that impacts Kansas and throughout the nation and around the world. “This will empower communities to work together to change systems and develop practices that work to facilitate self-determination for people with disabilities.” I am aware of something.”
Building on our history of improving outcomes for people in Kansas with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), KUCDD recently conducted statewide listening sessions to identify the most pressing needs in the disability community. I supported and listened to the voices of people with disabilities and their families. Focusing on Kansas’ experience with services, the researcher explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of people with her IDD and their families, and worked with her partners in schools and communities to develop new Identified emerging education and transition needs. We also conducted feedback sessions with the Center’s Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC), research partners, and members of the Kansas Developmental Disabilities Network organization. Work Identified:
- The pressing needs of Kansas youth in transition, including concerns about transitioning from school to competitive employment, post-secondary education, and community involvement.
- Social isolation and reduced support during the pandemic will increase the need for behavioral and emotional support throughout the life course.
- The synergies and potential growth of priorities pursued by KUCDD, community and government partners across the state, and additional university partners that will create new potential partnerships, research directions, and community services.
The new KUCDD grant is a new initiative to address these priorities and allow KUCDD to expand its focus on comprehensive research, or research that is jointly developed, jointly conducted, and jointly disseminated by people with IDD. We will continue to provide infrastructure support for the project. For example, in fiscal 2022, the center will receive approximately $6 million in additional federal and state funding to support these priorities, and plans to continue expanding this support over the next few years.
“We strive for good science rooted in values,” says Shogren. “We want to do research that has a real impact and is truly driven by this value of self-determination. You have the right to become a member and tell us what is important to you.”
KU Longevity Institute Director John Columbo said the center’s continued federal support means directly improving the lives of the people of Kansas.
“Since 1969, KUCDD faculty have led groundbreaking research in supporting families, inclusive education, self-determination and positive behavior,” says Colombo. “This fundamental effort is part of our commitment to influence policy, practice and research while promoting opportunities for empowerment, self-determination and inclusive community participation for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Department.”
photograph: A KU student working in a greenhouse as part of the transition to post-secondary education. This is a comprehensive post-secondary education program for KU students with intellectual disabilities. Credit: Drew Rosdahl
