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Training
and Technical Assistance (1998-2003)
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State/Agency Specific Technical
Assistance (Matthew Janicki, Ph.D)
Objective
To offer state
and local agencies technical assistance in a range of service delivery and policy
issues related to older persons with I/DD and their families.
Target Audience
State, regional,
and local agencies.
Progress to Date
RRTCADD staff
has provided on site technical assistance as requested to plan and develop services
and supports for older adults with disabilities and their families. Staff has
consulted with a Michigan service provider on developing community options for
older adults. Staff facilitated a statewide Tennessee work group that included
the director of the state agency on aging and the Developmental Disabilities
Planning Council director to strategize on how to best meet the needs of older
adults with I/DD and their families.
The RRTC also
provides technical information to the planning and operations divisions of state
DD agencies when dealing with issues related to aging. Here, the RRTCADD's research
findings and extensive databases have proved to be excellent resources for state
planners, policy makers, and operations staff.The RRTCADD also provides technical
assistance to significant national organizations. For example, the principals
of the RRTC developed and provided the Administration on Aging with several
background resources that are currently posted on the AoA's web site. Our center
also has been involved in consulting with AoA staff and sharing information
via national telephone conference calls.
The RRTCADD
is currently providing technical assistance to several states on enhancing their
services to older adults with I/DD. For example, the director of the RRTC is
working with the state of California to help put in place a purposive planning
process for helping older parents who are primary carers of children or adults
with a developmental disability. The other RRTC principals are doing similar
work in the states of Florida and Illinois. The impact of these consultations
is profound as it affects the whole state and how it organizes is response to
a pressing problem.
The RRTCADD
is also assisting providers to develop a standard protocol for recording optimal
performance behaviors in individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease. This protocol
will aid organizations such as CARF and ANCOR and their network of affiliated
agencies implement a digital record as part of the personal history for individuals
in their services.