The Supporting Families throughout the Lifespan Community of Practice is Expanding!

The NASDDDS Community of Practice, Supporting Families Across the Lifespan, is entering the final year of federal funding from the Administration for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  Connecticut, D.C., Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington and Missouri (as the mentor state), are building capacity through a community of practice across and within these states to create policies, practices and systems to better assist and support families than include a member with I/DD across the lifespan.

Participating states have changed the front door into the system, improved cultural considerations in supporting families, guided and influenced policymakers and helped shape waivers and other Medicaid authorities to focus on supporting families and individuals throughout the lifespan. NASDDDS, along with the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC-IHD), partner to support states, work to impact national policies, develop products and tools, and provide technical assistance.

Other NASDDDS member states have inquired about expanding access into the Community of Practice. The NASDDDS board voted to move forward with this expansion as an optional membership benefit for other states and to provide project sustainability for this successful initiative.

Please submit this Intent to Respond Application (submitted jointly by the state I/DD agency and the state Council on Developmental Disabilities) by February 1, 2016 if your state is interested in participating in a Community of Practice to Support Families.  A formal Request for Proposal may be issued if more than 10 states respond.   The Community of Practice will begin July 2016. 

The Intent to Respond Application includes the purpose and benefits of the Community of Practice, expectations, and costs. 

The Intent to Respond Application can be found here and should be submitted by February 1, 2016 to Barbara Brent, bbrent@nasddds.org