The Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation (MMI) at
the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Arc of Nebraska have
been awarded a $266,000 federal grant to design and create a collaborative
services model for families with children with developmental disabilities.
The 18-month grant, which runs from Sept. 1, 2000 through Jan. 31, 2002,
was awarded by two agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services.
The HHS agencies were the Administration on Children, Youth and Families
and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
Under the terms of the grant, the HHS agencies provided $200,000, or
two-thirds of the funding, while MMI and Arc of Nebraska provided one-third
of the funding with MMI contributing $45,977 and Arc of Nebraska $20,689.
The grant — called Project Families UNITE (Unified Networking, Involvement
and Technical Experience for families with disabled children) — will be
directed by Deborah Reay, director of social work for MMI, and coordinated
by Deborah Weston, immediate past president of the Arc of Nebraska and
project director of Nebraska’s Waiting List Initiative, an assistance program
for families with children with developmental disabilities.
Reay said the grant will focus on four areas of need in the state:
–establishment of a council comprised of families of children with
developmental disabilities and persons with disabilities;
–creation, distribution and analysis of a needs assessment for families
with disabled children;
–education and technical assistance to family members and service
providers;
–and development of a model individualized flexible system of supports
and services that meets the needs of families of children with developmental
disabilities.
“We’re thrilled to receive this funding,” Reay said. “We think it will
provide the opportunity for much-needed involvement of families with children
who have disabilities in determining family service needs and creating
a model of a system of family directed supports based on those needs. What
is so unique about this grant is that families of children with disabilities
will serve on the grant’s Policy Council. Members of this council will
direct the course of the project and develop a family support model to
serve the needs of Nebraska families with children with disabilities. Our
long-term goal is to identify the wide-range of services required to meet
the individual care needs of all children in Nebraska with disabilities.”
Project Families UNITE was developed by MMI and Arc of Nebraska in cooperation
with the Nebraska Governor’s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.
“This project will change the role of young adults and families of children
with disabilities from recipients of services to active decision makers.
These families are best qualified to analyze current practices and design
a family focused system of supports and services,” said Weston, who is
the parent of a young adult with autism. “Collaborative efforts are essential
to success in this project. Technical assistance from the Nebraska Health
and Human Services and its Developmental Disability System and other supporting
agencies and organizations will enhance the potential for producing a system
of supports that will be effective across Nebraska.”
The Arc of Nebraska has a long history of advocating for the rights
of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This
year, the Arc of the United States celebrated its 50th anniversary of individual
and family directed advocacy and support. The Arc of Nebraska with the
Governor’s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities has coordinated
the Nebraska Waiting List Initiative and is beginning the Nebraska Waiting
List Campaign to eliminate the waiting list for services for people with
developmental disabilities.
In addition, the Arc of Nebraska coordinates two projects to monitor
and increase quality in services for people with disabilities. Aim for
Excellence, a nationally acclaimed project, establishes and maintains quality
review teams to evaluate services provided to people with disabilities
and their families. The Arc Provider Profile offers data on services,
providers, and information on the quality of life of people with disabilities
who use services. The Arc of Nebraska works through 20 local Arc chapters
and 1,800 members across the state of Nebraska.
MMI provides a unique range of interdisciplinary family-centered health
care services for individuals, with disabilities or special health care
needs and their families. These services are provided in a variety of settings
including schools, homes, hospitals and clinics throughout the Omaha area
and the state of Nebraska. MMI’s main focus areas are clinical services,
interdisciplinary education and research.