Special Olympics-ICI Partnerships
Description
The Institute on Community Integration (ICI) at the University of Minnesota has partnered with Special Olympics on a variety of projects focused on the health, well-being, and social inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These collaborations draw on ICI’s expertise in research and measurement, curriculum development, and program evaluation, as well as a shared commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with IDD in schools and communities. Current and recent projects include:
- Multi-Year National Evaluation of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Program: This national evaluation of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (SOUCS) Program comprises two phases. The first phase—"Critical Components and Program Model"—examined the critical components of the Unified Champion Schools (UCS) Program from the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders. Findings from this effort informed the development of a SOUCS program model that clarifies the program's essential components and provides a foundation for examining implementation and outcomes. In the second phase of the project—"Longitudinal Evaluation of Student Outcomes"—the impact of the SOUCS program on participating students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as on schools, is being tracked over a three- to four-year period, including a one-year follow-up after high school. Outcomes assessed include the acquisition of social-emotional learning skills, self-determination capacities, students’ sense of inclusion/belongingness, engagement, attendance, grades, progress toward graduation, employment, and involvement in postsecondary education. The evaluation also examines how program implementation fidelity and student level of participation relate to these outcomes, with the goal of informing efforts to improve program quality and implementation across schools. For more information on what we’ve learned from this project, visit the project page.
- Interprofessional Core Curriculum for the IDD Workforce Pilot (Abery, Siska, & Tichá, 2022-2023): This project developed and piloted a five-module curriculum designed to enhance the understanding of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) among undergraduate and graduate students in the healthcare fields. Funded by Special Olympics through St. John Fisher University. For more information, visit this page on preparing the workforce for inclusive health .
- Evaluation of the Fidelity of MN Special Olympics Unified School Program (Abery, Tichá, & Houseworth, 2019-2020). This evaluation project focused on a review of curricular materials and resources used by the Minnesota Unified Champion School Program (SOMN-USC) and on determining the extent to which the program is implemented in schools with high fidelity and in a manner consistent with the Special Olympics Unified Program's overall mission and vision. The project assessed five aspects of program fidelity at three levels to determine the extent to which the program curriculum, training, and implementation supported intended outcomes. The project led to recommendations to SOMN about implementing the USC program to improve outcomes for students with and without disabilities.
- Contact
- Brian H Abery, Renata Ticha
- Director
- Brian H Abery, Renata Ticha
- Funder
- Special Olympics Minnesota, Special Olympics North America, Special Olympics International
- Collaborators
- Special Olympics International
Staff
Topics
- Community life
- Friendships and social relationships
- Recreation and leisure
- Social inclusion
- Health and safety
- Health and wellness
- Specific life stage
- Adolescents and young adults
- Children
Activities
- Evaluation