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| Connecting the Dots of Needs and Wants: A Survey of Community-Based Providers of Adult Developmental Disability Services |
| Monday, May 29, 2023 |
| 10:00 AM–10:25 AM |
| Convention Center Mile High Ballroom 2A |
| Area: DDA |
| Chair: Lynda B. Hayes (Munroe Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center) |
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| Connecting the Dots of Needs and Wants: A Survey of Community-Based Providers of Adult Developmental Disability Services |
| Domain: Service Delivery |
| LYNDA B. HAYES (Munroe Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center), Lisa Neitzke (Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center), Adriano A Barboza (University of Nebraska Medical Center), Melissa D Hunter (Munroe Meyer Institute) |
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| Abstract: To serve the growing population of individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities such as autism, an examination of accessibility and quality of services is warranted. When compared to services available to youth with developmental disabilities, which primarily consist of supports in the school setting, services available to adults with developmental disabilities are limited. This population receives many of their services through community-based agencies, group homes, or day-service support programs. However, the need for these services continues to outgrow the number of qualified staff as evidenced by reported stress levels and high turnover rates. In addition to factors such as low pay rates and high client to staff ratios, insufficient training affects the quality of services. Behavioral health professionals, such as psychologists and behavior analysts, are well-equipped to provide training and consultation to increase the quality of the workforce that serves this population. An assessment of community-based agencies’ needs (and wants) is imperative to this initiative. This paper explores the results of a survey distributed to community-based agencies that work with adults with developmental disabilities and assesses staff’s perspectives on what needs are present, receptivity to collaborate with behavioral health professionals, and barriers to collaboration. |
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