posted on 2014-10-28, 00:00authored byAmie L. Norris
The United States’ long history of providing services to people with intellectual and/or
developmental disabilities (IDD) in large public congregate settings has been in reversal
over the past four decades. Since peaking in 1967 (U.S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare, 1972), census reduction of such facilities has occurred at an
average annual rate of 5% nation-wide (Braddock et al., 2013). Despite having closed
four state operated developmental centers (SODCs) since 1982, Illinois continues to be
among states with the highest rates of institutionalization of persons with IDD in the
country, although efforts are being made to change this through the Governor’s
Rebalancing Initiative. A longitudinal analysis of institutional depopulation in Illinois
revealed that the majority of individuals who transitioned out of an SODC and were
readmitted returned due to behavioral issues. The aim of this study, therefore, was to
explore the capacity of community-based providers of residential supports and services,
as well as the surrounding community, to provide behavioral and mental health services
to individuals who transition out of an SODC. Results indicate a need for strengthening
of the mental/behavioral health system available to adults with IDD in four ways:
strengthen technical assistance and crisis response to behavioral issues; enhance the
availability of community-based mental/behavioral health professionals through training;
improve collaboration between state developmental disability and mental health
agencies; and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates. Additionally, the need for
continued investigation of environmental factors and community capital contributing to
post-deinstitutionalization outcomes for people with IDD is implicated. Finally, the need
for continued exploration of programs addressing challenges to community living
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experienced by persons with IDD and behavioral concerns is highlighted. As the U.S.
continues to move toward a lessened reliance on publically funded state-operated
congregate settings, monitoring of outcomes of individuals who have transitioned to
other settings and examining factors contributing to these outcomes is imperative.
History
Advisor
Heller, Tamar
Department
Disability and Human Development
Degree Grantor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Degree Level
Doctoral
Committee Member
Harris, Sarah P.
Fujiura, Glenn T.
Rizzolo, Mary C.
Eisenberg, Yochai
Kiefer-O’Donnell, Richard