Adult Services and Community Living Projects & Centers
The Adult Services and Community Living Program Area engages in applied research, policy analysis, program development and consultation, professional and paraprofessional training, and information sharing that address all aspects of community living for persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Particular areas of focus and resources include Direct Support workforce development, residential services, community inclusion, and family support.
Affiliated Center
Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) conducts a wide range of research, training, and technical assistance and dissemination projects related to community supports under its center grant and related project funding. Collaborators in the RTC core grant program include the Center on Human Policy, Syracuse University; the Institute on Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts, Boston; the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services; and the Human Services Research Institute. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation, U.S. Department of Education, as its designated Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living and Employment of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Current Projects
Active Support Interventions and Their Effect on Increased Participation of Persons With Severe Impairments conducts a longitudinal, randomized control study to examine the impact of Active Support (AS) interventions in 24 group homes in Minnesota. AS is an organizational intervention that enables Direct Support Professionals in community settings to effectively support the participation of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in everyday activities. Research on AS in the United Kingdom and Australia has shown positive outcomes for people with ID/DD. A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Sherri Larson, 612-624-6024, larso072@umn.edu.
Annual National and State-by-State Data Collection on Status and Trends in Medicaid Policy, Financing and Innovation maintains national and state-by-state statistics and policy-related information on the status, trends, and innovations in Medicaid financing of residential employment and other community services and support for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD), which account for approximately 85% of all service expenditures for persons with ID/DD. The study involves state data collection, Medicaid administrative data analyses, and interviews with key state officials. A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
New!
Changing Landscapes: A Symposium & Exhibit on Disability & the Arts will provide a forum at the University's Weisman Museum to raise awareness and present and discuss ideas relating to disability and the arts. This 1-day symposium will draw together artists with disabilities, disability service providers, University faculty/staff/students, arts instructors, arts advocates, and others state-wide. Collaborators include the University's Disability Services and Weisman Museum, and community partners, VSA arts of Minnesota, Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Rise, Inc., and Partnership Resources, Inc. Funded by the University of Minnesota's Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity, and the University's Imagine Fund, supported by a generous donation from the McKnight Foundation. Contacts: Pat Salmi, 612-625-9700, salm0054@umn.edu and Megan Dushin, 612-626-8649, dushi001@umn.edu.
Changing Landscapes: An Ongoing Exhibit of Artists with Disabilities at ICI brings to the University campus for display over 75 pieces of artwork on loan from three community organizations that support artists with disabilities: Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Partnership Resources, Inc., and VSA arts of Minnesota. The project is continually seeking new partners to exhibit, celebrate, reward, and strengthen the art of individuals with disabilities. Contact: Megan Dushin, 612-626-8649, dushi001@umn.edu.
College of Direct Support offers a nationwide, online, competency-based training curriculum to enhance the skills and knowledge of Direct Support Professionals, frontline supervisors, and managers working in community settings. A collaboration of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) and MC Strategies/Elsevier. Contact: Amy Hewitt, 612-625-1098, hewit005@umn.edu.
Consortium for Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Subcontract [www.thinkcollege.net] provides a training component through ICI as a partner in the consortium, which is a nationwide resource for research-based knowledge, training, technical assistance, and materials about the participation of individuals with developmental disabilities in postsecondary education. A collaboration of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts - Boston; the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in Delaware, Hawaii, South Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee (Vanderbilt), Ohio, and California; and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. The subcontract is funded through a grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts - Boston. Contact: Joe Timmons, 612-624-5659, timm0119@umn.edu.
Consumer Directed Services Network (CDSN) Project provides training to the staff of CDSN in Berkeley, California, focusing on organizational assessment and intervention methods as well as strategies for effective training that improve Direct Support worker retention. CDSN is a non-profit organization working to improve the quality of the workforce delivering services and supports to people with disabilities through its support and training to disability-related organizations. Funded by the Langoloth Foundation through a subcontract from the University of California, Berkeley. Contact: Amy Hewitt, 612-625-1098, hewit005@umn.edu.
New!
Consumer Satisfaction Survey Analysis examines data from the 2008 Consumer Satisfaction Surveys distributed to individuals, families, and case managers receiving services from a specific service-providing organization, and produces a final report describing key findings and recommendations. Contact: Sherri Larson, 612-624-6024, larso072@umn.edu.
Develop and Field Test Participant Experience Survey Instruments to Evaluate HCBS Effectiveness and Quality in Minnesota assists Thomson Healthcare in supporting the legislatively-mandated development and implementation of an annual survey of service recipients with the goals of assisting in determining the quality and outcomes of the services and supports provided under the DHS Disability Services Division’s Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by a subcontract from Thompson Healthcare Inc. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Developing Exemplary Practices to Support Self-Determination identifies and studies a set of agencies currently using exemplary practices that effectively support self-determination of persons with a range of intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and develops a self-determination training and technical assistance program based on the findings. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Brian Abery, 612-625-5592, abery001@umn.edu.
Effects of a Competency-Based Training Intervention for Direct Support Professionals on Site-Level Organizational Outcomes, Learner Outcomes, and Service Recipient Outcomes uses a standardized competency-based training program to assess the extent to which training directly linked to validated skills and knowledge needed by Direct Support Professionals affects major outcomes of importance. Outcomes to be examined include: staff turnover and retention, staff job satisfaction, individual community inclusion, participation, employment and self-determination, and individual satisfaction and experiences with support received. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Amy Hewitt, 612-625-1098, hewit005@umn.edu.
Effects of a Validated, Field-Tested, Self-Determination Training Program in a Randomized Trial Design conducts the first large-scale study of the effects of a self-determination training intervention with Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) designed to support the self-determination of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who have intensive support needs. Previous research suggests that ecological characteristics, including organizational climate, policies and regulations, and the skills, attitudes, and knowledge of DSPs significantly influence the self-determination of adults with ID/DD. A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Brian Abery, 612-625-5592, abery001@umn.edu.
Evaluation of the Wilderness Inquiry Gateway to Adventure Program examines outcomes of the Gateway to Adventure program, which teaches outdoor and wilderness adventure skills to persons with cognitive disabilities. A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by a contract from Wilderness Inquiry. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Health Care Coordination for Individuals with Physical Disabilities creates new knowledge about health care coordination and its impact on the lives of people with disabilities by (1) identifying the critical elements of effective care coordination, and then generating and testing a conceptual framework based upon these elements; and (2) examining the extent to which the various components of the framework enhance access to health care, improve health outcomes, and create cost savings. A collaborative project with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Special Needs Basic Care Program. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Brian Abery, 612-625-5592, abery001@umn.edu; Sherri Larson, 612-624-6024, larso072@umn.edu.
New!
History of Leadership in Developmental Disabilities: A Wiki Project uses Web and Wiki technology to collect, preserve, and share the history of leadership in the developmental disabilities field over the past 150 years, and pass on to future leaders the stories of how we got to where we are today. The project is creating an online history course and repository documenting the role of leadership and leaders in generating the ideas, movements, and programs that have been foundational to the developmental disabilities field since the late 1800s, and using Wiki technology it will engage current leaders in contributing to the multimedia content of the history course. A collaboration of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) and The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Identification, Review, Evaluation and Compendium of Effective Measures, Instruments and Programs for Research on Inclusion, Self-Determination and Well-Being of Persons With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) assesses current measures and instruments on participation and community living. It provides comprehensive identification, review, and assessment measures related to participation and community living and creates a compendium of the most valid, reliable, useful, and widely-used measures, instruments, and outcome-measurement programs. A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Increasing Friendships, Social Inclusion and Community Participation of Persons With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) examines the effectiveness of two different approaches to supporting community participation – those based in human services agencies versus direct involvement of community members. Social inclusion outcomes will be compared for individuals randomly assigned to: (a) no intervention; (b) training methods for residential services staff, and (c) direct engagement of civic organizations, faith communities, chambers of commerce, and other community organizations. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Angela Amado, 651-698-5565, amado003@umn.edu.
Lewin Personal Care Attendant Project conducts evaluative research on Minnesota’s personal care attendant (PCA) program by (1) analyzing legislation, rules, regulations, and policy documents to identify program changes and their impacts; (2) conducting quantitative analyses on PCA program data, including reviews of expenditures over time, changes in utilization rates and patterns, and other important program components to identify changes in expenditures, participants and program integrity; (3) evaluating other state experience with PCA programs under the state plan option and with cash and counseling programs; (4) analyzing Medicaid Management Information System data, particularly as it relates to understanding how, to what extent, and by which consumers PCA services are being used; and (5) gathering qualitative data from consumers through focus groups and surveys. A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living through a subcontract from the Lewin Group. Funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Contact: Amy Hewitt, 612-625-1098, hewit005@umn.edu.
MacArthur Foundation Mental Health Court Study investigates the effect on offender recidivism of adjudication for offenders with mental health diagnoses in the Hennepin County (Minnesota) Mental Health Court, in contrast with adjudication in the regular county court. Findings from this study will be combined with those of three other mental health pilot sites that are also part of this study. This is a collaborative study with Policy Research Associates (PRA) of Delmar, NY. Data from this study will be made available nationwide by PRA. Funded by the MacArthur Foundation. Contact: Pam Stenhjem, 612-625-3863, huntx010@umn.edu.
Minnesota State Profile assists Thomson Healthcare to prepare reports for the Minnesota Department of Human Services through assisting with collection of qualitative and quantitative data from the Department of Human Services and other key stakeholders, and writing draft sections of the State Long-Term Care Profile Tool regarding supports for people with developmental disabilities and people with brain injuries. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by a subcontract from Thompson Healthcare Inc. Contact: Sheryl A. Larson, 612-624-6024, larso072@umn.edu.
Multi-State Study of Service Outcomes and Their Predictors analyzes data from a representative sample of 15 states and 10,300 randomly sampled individuals with developmental disabilities to examine lifestyles and service outcomes, and individual program and service factors that predict them. The study will also evaluate and refine measures and methods of the National Core Indicators Program, the most widely used program of outcomes assessment and service evaluation in the U.S. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC), in partnership with the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services and the Human Services Research Institute. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Multi-Site Study of Employment Interventions assesses the relationship between employment customization strategies and vocational outcomes. It will also validate a training and mentorship approach for improving the skills of Direct Support Professionals who serve as employment consultants or job developers in two states. A collaboration of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) and the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts – Boston. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Derek Nord, 612-624-0386, nord0364@umn.edu.
National Direct Support Workforce Resource Center brings together in one place the nation's premier resources on the topic of Direct Support, with the goal of improving the quality, recruitment, and retention of the Direct Service workforce nationwide. A partnership of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) and The Lewin Group, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, The Westchester Consulting Group, the Institute for the Future of Aging Services, and The Annapolis Coalition. Funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through a subcontract with the Lewin Group. Contact: Amy Hewitt, 612-625-1098, hewit005@umn.edu.
National Gateway on Self-Determination for Persons with Developmental Disabilities establishes training programs nationwide to assist persons with disabilities in practicing self-determination in their lives. ICI is a member of the National Self-Determination Alliance that is part of this project, and has a subcontract to develop Web-based training through RTC's College of Direct Support that enhances the capacity of Direct Support Professionals to support the exercise of self-determination by individuals with disabilities. The Gateway project is funded by a grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development and the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities. Contact: Brian Abery, 612-625-5592, abery001@umn.edu.
National Residential Information Systems Project and Policy Studies (RISP) continues and expands more than 20 years of data collection efforts on residential and Medicaid-financed services in all states and nationally for persons with developmental disabilities. The project also gathers data on state policies related to individual and family supports and maintains the Quality Mall.org Web site on information and innovation in community support. A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Profiles in Transformation Case Studies conducts six annual case studies of exemplary initiatives in transformation of community living or employment supports, and two annual case studies of exemplary Direct Support Professional workforce development initiatives. The National Association for Direct Support Professionals and the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) will present “Moving Mountains” Awards for initiatives in direct support workforce development at periodic Reinventing Quality conferences. A collaboration of RTC and the Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Sherri Larson, 612-624-6024, larso072@umn.edu.
QualityMall.org Web Site on Person-Centered Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities provides resources and information from sources nationwide for use by individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, and service providers in promoting delivery of person-centered supports. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Angela Amado, 651-698-5565, amado003@umn.edu.
Ramsey County (Minnesota) Physical Activity and Nutrition Training provides training to Ramsey County’s Developmental Disability service team, county case managers, contracted vocational and residential providers, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities about the role each can play to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living health lifestyles (focusing on physical activity and nutrition). A project of the Institute’s Research and Training Center on Community Living. Funded by U Care Minnesota. Contact: Pat Salmi, 612-625-9700, salm0054@umn.edu.
Reinventing Quality: An Annual Conference on Person-Centered Supports showcases best practices in person-centered supports from across the nation. A joint project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC), the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), and the Human Services Research Institute. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Self-Advocacy Online: Research and Development to Bridge the Digital Divide develops a model for making Web sites accessible for people with intellectual and related cognitive disabilities, and launches an educational and networking Web site for teens and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities targeted at those who participate in organized self-advocacy groups. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Contact: Jerry Smith, 612-624-4336, smith495@umn.edu.
Theories, Concepts and Evidence Guiding Knowledge and Practice in Inclusion, Employment and Self-Determination develops a state-of-the-science conference about the most influential theories, principles, and concepts (“big ideas”) that shape policy and practices in community supports for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Experts and a comprehensive literature review identify and rank the eight most important ideas in recent decades, and conference participants will debate the findings and reach consensus priorities for continuing research on them. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC). Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Contact: Charlie Lakin, 612-624-5005, lakin001@umn.edu.
Twin Cities and Zambia Disability Connection partners with four local disability organizations (Arc Greater Twin Cities, Fraser, St. David's Child Development and Family Services, and Opportunity Partners) to provide advanced leadership training in disability advocacy, policy, and services for a delegation of nine government officials, missionaries, educators, and advocates from Zambia in southern Africa. Contact: Amy Hewitt, 612-625-1098, hewit005@umn.edu.
Use of Web-based Technology to Increase Recreation, Leisure and Life Opportunities for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (LifePages.org) develops and maintains an interactive Web site designed to enhance the quality and quantity of recreation and leisure opportunities available to Minnesotans with developmental disabilities, and to provide users with opportunities to connect with others with similar interests. A project of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) in partnership with Partners in Community Supports. Funded in part by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Projects of National Significance program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contact: Angela Amado, 651-698-5565, amado003@umn.edu.
Project Archive
The projects in the archive have ended, but their Web sites continue to provide access to data, resources, and other information from their work.