UCEDD Innovations Lead to IDD Networks’ Driving Change: Envision, Empower, Employ

Authors

• Suzzanne Freeze, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow
• Jean Winsor, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow
• Brittany M. Powers, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow
• Amy Huppi, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow

Abstract

State systems responsible for administering employment services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) must acclimate to changing demands, address new regulations, and continue to meet needs in an era of high workforce turnover and uncertain funding. While improvements have been made across the U.S., there are still far too many individuals seeking meaningful employment and contributory roles in the community who are not supported to achieve those goals. A key success factor is providing publicly funded state systems with the information needed to strategically pivot toward priorities and ensure smooth transitions of organizational change. Our country’s developmental disabilities’ network includes University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), which play a unique role well suited to infuse research-to-practice and quality management tools as these systems seek to help individuals achieve meaningful lives in the community. As one of the country’s 68 UCEDDs, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) co-hosts the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN), founded in 2006, using staff expertise and a wide range of relevant, in-house interrelated projects to amplify the work of state systems and coach those systems toward higher performance. Using decades of research and case study work while helping states connect with and learn from each other, the technical assistance SELN provides to states is reflected in higher levels of improvement compared to states not in the SELN. The range and breadth of issues arising in current systems change work demands knowledgeable networks available to coach state agencies and partners toward a successful future. UCEDDs such as the ICI are well-positioned to continue leading this charge.

Plain Language Summary

Each state has many agencies that help people with disabilities get jobs. Together, they make up a state system. These state systems work hard to meet the needs of people with disabilities who want to work. State systems also must meet demands from the government. State systems face other challenges as well. Some of the challenges state systems face include new rules and uncertain funding.

State systems need support so they can continue to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Though it has gotten better over time, it is still difficult for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to get good jobs and participate in their communities. One way to help support people with disabilities who want to work is to share important information with the state systems that support them. The U.S. has a good network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs). UCEDDs can help state systems work toward their goals.

How do UCEDDs do this? By helping systems use the information from research to come up with real-world solutions. UCEDDs also help state systems by offering useful tools and resources. The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) is one of 68 UCEDDs in the U.S. At the ICI, we co-host a project called the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN). The SELN helps encourage and promote the work of state systems. SELN also coaches state systems so they can help more people with disabilities in more effective ways. States in SELN have shown improvement in their ability to support people with disabilities compared to states that are not part of SELN.

State systems are all different from each other. Some states have better access to resources than others. SELN supports a knowledgeable group of states that can work through problems together. SELN states work with each other and with experts from UCEDDs. UCEDDs like ICI have a lot of experience and can best continue leading this important work.

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Recommended Citation

Freeze, Suzzanne; Winsor, Jean; Powers, Brittany M.; and Huppi, Amy (2026) "UCEDD Innovations Lead to IDD Networks’ Driving Change: Envision, Empower, Employ," Developmental Disabilities Network Journal: Vol. 5: Iss. 2, Article 23.
DOI: 10.59620/2694-1104.1166
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/ddnj/vol5/iss2/23