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Administration on Developmental Disabilitiesskip to primary page content

ADD Announcement, Issued 6/4/2003

ADD Collaboration and Coordination with Related Programs.

COMMITTEE ACTION
Administration on Aging(AOA) ADD has provided input for the following AOA projects: (1) identifying ADD models around home and community-based services that could be applicable to issues of the Aging Network; (2) reviewing and editing drafts for the International Strategy for Action and Aging 2002 and the International Plan of Action on Aging; (3) providing statistics and talking points for symposium "Coming of Age: Federal Agencies and the Longevity Revolution" convened by the Federal Committee for the International Year of Older Persons and (4) provide input on network direct care projects to HHS Compendium of HHS Caregiver Support Activities. ADD is seen as a resource for capacity building in related agencies based on lessons learned and best practices developed by ADD programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility The Council was established to improve the coordination of transportation resources and services as a means to more effectively deliver health and social services. At April 22nd meeting several Council workgroups reported on outcomes and activities including efforts on transportation for older persons, persons with disabilities and non-emergency medical transportation. Action on providing accessible transportation, especially in rural areas, impact on ADD goals related to living in the community and accessing health care.
Easter Seals ADD reviewed and edited the Easter Seals organization publication "Guide to Federal Programs that Support Transportation Services for Persons with Disabilities." ADD is seen as a resource for capacity building for agencies as they include "people first" language and the developmental disabilities perspective in their publications.
Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee (FICC) FICC is charged with advising a number of government agencies (e.g., HHS, Education, Defense, Agriculture, Interior, SSA) regarding services for children from birth to age five with disabilities or at risk of developing disabilities and their families. FICC subcommittees focus on interagency coordination within specific areas (e.g., child care, health and mental health). ADD is a long-standing participant in this Department of Education mandated council addressing early intervention supports for children with disabilities. ADD is seen as a resource through dissemination of information on projects and research of UCEDDs and DD Councils. Products in early intervention include:
*   A Parent's Guide to Early Intervention for Infants and Children with Hearing Loss (Spanish Video) CT USEDD
*  Identifying Families about Recommended Practices: Lessons Learned from the Internet (UT UCEDD)
*  Identifying Family Strengths, Concerns, Priorities and Resources: Information for Early Intervention Teams (WI UCEDD)
Collaboration with Education, Labor, SSA, HRSA, CDC on National Youth Leadership ADD is in the 3rd year of a 5-year commitment to support the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN), a network of young leaders with disabilities from across the US. The NYLN promotes leadership development, education, employment, independent living, and fosters the inclusion of young leaders with disabilities into all aspects of society at national, state and local levels. ADD, with its partners, supports and guides the NYLN in planning conferences and training forums.
Healthy People 2010 This collaborative was established to provide health objectives in a format that enables diverse groups to combine their efforts. ADD provides input regarding language, prevention of secondary disease, comorbidities, dual diagnoses, unserved and underserved populations, and nontraditional resources such as family members, students providing community service and faith-based volunteers. ADD, with HRSA, OPHS, ODPHP, AOA, CDC, NIH, is developing an MOU to formalize Healthy People 2010 partnerships to address the goals of elimination of health disparities and increase the quality and years of life.
HHS Committee for Employees with Disabilities This is a chartered advisory committee to the HHS Secretary. The committee represents the Department's employees with disabilities, serving as a focal point for employees with disabilities and resolving Department-wide problems that impact them. It also provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary and other HHS management regarding the Department's affirmative action program.
HHS Rural Communities Task Force HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson established a Departmental Rural Communities Initiative and created a Task Force to examine how each of HHS programs can better serve all Americans in rural communities. ADD participates in this Task Force to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the Department's plans for expanding services in rural areas. As a result of ADD's commitment to the goals of the Task Force, ADD provided PNS funding to 11 new grantees for improving access to transportation in rural communities.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) This collaborative was established to facilitate the efficient and effective exchange of research information on autism activities among member agencies and coordinates autism-related programs and initiatives. ADD, through the UCEDDs provides a variety of supports, both direct and consultative, for individuals with autism through the lifespan; e.g., screening, comprehensive assessment and intervention, training and technical assistance for providers of early intervention, preschool, education, special education. ADD provided input to the Autism Action Plan that will be presented at the May 13, 2003 IACC meeting.
Interagency Committee on Developmental Disabilities Has not been established.
Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) As the funding agency for the National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service, ADD brings its perspective to this NIDRR-funded committee investigating the research needs of the field of disabilities. ADD provides input as the only agency dedicated to needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families and communities. ADD sits on the New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Subcommittee, which relates research on assistive technology to the NFI, as well as other activities supporting the report to the President, "Delivering on the Promise." In addition, ADD manages an SBIR contract to develop research-based training package and appropriate educational curricula for current and future frontline TANF staff at state and local levels to ensure enhanced outcomes for dependent families with developmentally disabled individuals.
Office on Disability, New Freedom Initiative Work Group This workgroup, which meets monthly, tracks the efforts by the different divisions within HHS on projects supporting the New Freedom Initiative (NFI). A chart developed for tracking purposes categorizes HHS projects by the NFI focus areas (e.g., increase access through technology), shows how many people have benefited from the programs, the amount of funds expended as well as the status of the project. Subcommittees on caregiver/workforce development, employment, housing and transportation have recently been established to further coordinate efforts within HHS that address these areas.
The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCMR) PCMR evaluates the adequacy of current practices and programs, and coordinates federal agency activities impacting people with intellectual disabilities. Keeps the President appraised of the achievements, continuing needs and emerging issues in the field.
Collaboration with Other Federal P&A Administering Agencies ADD collaborates with the Social Security Administration (SSA), Human Resource Services Administration (HRSA), and the National Institute on Disability, Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR). They administer the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS), the Protection and Advocacy of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI), the Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT). They participate at ADD sponsored conferences/training on the Federal perspective from each agency, i.e. governance, policy, management and fiscal issues, and outcome and performance measures.
Collaboration with RSA and SAMHSA ADD collaborates with RSA and SAMHSA to share critical information pertaining to the P&As such as on-site monitoring reports, targeting training/technical assistance to address the findings from those reports, grant management actions and development of on-site monitoring tools that each agency can borrow crosscutting protocols.
Fiscal Monitoring of P&As ADD collaborates with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to attend and present at P&A conferences/training events, perform on-site fiscal monitoring with ADD's monitoring team and serve as a consultant on fiscal issues.
Training and Technical Assistance to the P&As ADD has Interagency Agreements with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to fund a contract for the Provision of Training and Technical Assistance to the P&A System. They administer the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) and Client Assistance Program (CAP), and the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) respectively. The Federal partners meet monthly with the Federal contractor to plan, develop and monitor the training and technical assistance activities provided, make joint decisions and evaluate the progress and outcomes of grantees.
With Equity and Assets for All (WEAFA) The National Cooperative Bank Development Corporation recently established this forum of federal agencies and organizations focused on individuals with disabilities to discuss and realize, through systemic change, avenues whereby individuals with disabilities can acquire assets. The second meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2003.
OSERS Youth Initiative The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Education recently established a workgroup of federal agencies, businesses and foundations to brainstorm about how they can work together to benefit youth with disabilities. The workgroup is identifying as many as four projects for their collective work. One project, a brainchild of ADD and for which ADD will have a role, is to utilize existing organizations (e.g., Rotary Clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs) to establish regional information and referral systems that will address a range of everyday, real-life issues faced by youth.