A. Palmer, B.A., Family Faculty

Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities,University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Building a Unique Collaboration Between a UCEDD/LEND and a State Autism Organization

A unique interagency collaboration was developed between the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD), a UCEDD/LEND program, and the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC), a non-profit agency supporting families and individuals with autism. This collaboration provides hands-on community experiences related to autism and developmental disabilities for LEND trainees, provides professional development opportunities for faculty and staff of both agencies, increases support for families, and improves the dissemination of information on autism and resources in North Carolina.

Introduction

History

GoalsExamples of Collaboration Between CIDD and ASNC

The CIDD Family Faculty, a former employee and longtime volunteer with ASNC, created opportunities for collaboration between the CIDD and ASNC in community leadership and training in autism and family support. Since 2011, LEND trainees are required to choose a project or activity from a list of community opportunities offered through the Autism Society of NC and other local agencies connected to developmental disabilities. Family Faculty connects CIDD staff and ASNC staff to share information and resources, participate together in trainings, and improve support and dissemination of information to families.

Create Community Training Experiences for LEND TraineesGraduate and post-graduate students from 14 different disciplines, self-advocates, and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, choose from a variety of leadership and training experiences in autism and family support through the Autism Society of NC.

Increase Professional Development Opportunities for ASNC staff and CIDD facultyThe CIDD hosts quarterly meetings for the ASNC Autism Resource Specialists. CIDD Faculty and LEND trainees can attend to present their clinical and research findings to the ASNC staff. ASNC staff share updates on needs of families with autism in NC and any changes in the Medicaid and DD services system in NC.

Increase Support and Resources for FamiliesFamilies of individuals with ASD served through CIDD clinics can be connected with an ASNC Autism Resource Specialist who provides support and information about resources in that family’s county, including the ASNC support group in their area. ASNC disseminates information about CIDD clinics with the families they serve across North Carolina.

Training in State Advocacy for Individuals with DDDuring the state legislative session, LEND trainees can shadow the ASNC Director of Government Relations to observe a state legislative session, an advocacy coalition, or a legislative committee meeting related to developmental disabilities. ASNC Director of Govt. Relations shares her knowledge and strategies on current advocacy issues in the field of DD.

Assistance in a State-wide Faith-Based InitiativeA LEND parent trainee led an ASNC Faith Outreach Committee focused on engaging faith communities in the inclusion of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families in their congregations. Trainee assisted in the planning for several ‘Autism in Your Congregation: A Conversation about Inclusion’ workshops for self-advocates, families, and clergy across NC.

Collaboration on Trainings and Conferences on ASDCIDD financially supports and houses quarterly ASNC Autism Resource Specialists meetings and provides financial support to the ASNC annual conference. LEND Family Faculty and ASNC staff collaborate on trainings related to autism and developmental disabilities for family members, self-advocates, and professionals. LEND trainees can attend ASNC trainings in best practices in autism interventions.