The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is Seeking Input on How To Improve Mental Health Services for Persons with IDD

The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (Meadows Institute) provides independent, nonpartisan policy and program guidance with an eye towards creating equitable system change and building a world where people can obtain effective, person-centered behavioral health care when and where they need it. The Meadows Institute is part of the Center for Child and Family Wellness, which focuses on children, youth, and families and the complex systems that work to support them.

With the help of a grant from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD), the Meadows Institute is leading a project to explore how young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are receiving mental health care and ways in which this care can be improved. According to the Meadows Institute, young people with IDD experience trauma and mental health concerns at rates significantly higher than their non-disabled peers, but research indicates finding and accessing culturally competent, trauma-informed care —particularly when in crisis — is a significant challenge. Between now and the end of Summer 2023, the Meadows Institute will be developing a landscape assessment synthesizing existing research into a wider report that provides an assessment of the trauma-informed care landscape for people with IDD, as well as practice recommendations for creating trauma-informed curriculum and training for professionals in the crisis system.

Gathering input from self-advocates and other stakeholders is a critical part of the landscape assessment, which is why you have been contacted through this GovDelivery from the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities! The Meadows Institute would love to speak with you about your experience serving people with IDD who have experienced trauma—what worked and what didn’t? Were there any special trainings or other forms of support you had that you felt made you better prepared? What would you like to see in the future? This information will be gathered by conducting a series of one-hour conversations via Zoom (with some in-person options for those in the Austin area).

If you are interested in participating, please contact Lindsey Zischkale for more information.