Experiences with the Mental Health Service System of Family Caregivers of Individuals with an Intellectual/Developmental Disability Referred to START
By Calliope Holingue, Luther Kalb, Ann Klein, Joan Beasley
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) frequently have behavioral or mental health needs but experience obstacles to treatment. Family caregivers are often responsible for coordinating the care of individuals with IDD. This study examined family caregiver experiences using intake data from a national tertiary crisis intervention model designed for people with IDD and mental health needs. 488 caregivers completed the Family Experiences Interview Schedule. Less than half of families reported satisfaction with the mental health services received. Notable gaps were in crisis, night and weekend services, choice of services and providers, communication and coordination between providers, and specialized training. Experiences were worse for caregiving fathers and individuals with IDD with co-occurring chronic medical conditions.
Disability RAPP Sheet: 30th Anniversary of the ADA
DRC-NH, UNH Institute on Disability, New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities
It’s been 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. From employment and communication to transportation and voting, we explore how the ADA has fundamentally altered our understanding of what it means to live with a disability.
Household Food Insecurity and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Housing Assistance
By Veronica Helms, Alisha Coleman-Jensen, Regina Gray, and Debra Brucker
Using health survey data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) linked to Federal housing administrative data, household food insecurity was assessed among adults receiving housing assistance at the time of their NHIS interview during 2011 and 2012.
"I want my DSP to..."
The Living Well project has a new training video from a recent training for DSPs called Dream Big: Tools for Supporting Individual Choice & a Robust Community-Based Life. The video focuses on the statement, "I want my DSP to...".
Psychotropic Medications Use and Side Effects of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
By Lauren Charlot, Leonard Doerfler, Jennifer McLaren
Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are treated with psychotropic medications, and polypharmacy is common. Although few studies address psychotropic side effects in the population, people with IDD have been found more likely to experience side effects than others who do not have IDD. Because many individuals with IDD may not report side effects reliably, there is risk that side effects may be missed.
Using Data-Enabled Performance Feedback and Guidance to Assist Employment Consultants in their Work with Job Seekers: An Experimental Study
By John Butterworth, Alberto Migliore, Kelly Nye-Lengerman, Oliver Lyons, Amy Gunty, Jill Eastman, Paul Foos
The success of job seekers with disabilities in achieving their employment goals depends in large part on the quality of employment supports that they receive from employment consultants. The objective of this experimental study was to test the effectiveness of data-enabled performance feedback to assist employment consultants in implementing standards of effective employment supports.
Supplement Report: Analysis of New Hampshire Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to Better Understand Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration by Industry Category
By Karla Armenti
This supplemental report provides additional information on breastfeeding initiation and duration and a woman’s job category (industry) as reported to the NH Division of Vital Records Administration via the NH birth certificate. The findings may be useful to policymakers and employers when framed in terms of the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding to inform workplace policy formation.
Wellbeing at Older Ages: Towards an Inclusive and Multidimensional Measure
By Sophie Mitra, Debra Brucker, Katie Jajtner
This paper brings to light a disability gap in the experience of wellbeing among older adults in the U.S. There is a need for research that can inform the development of policies and practices that will enhance wellbeing for older people with disabilities, including material wellbeing, health, and personal activities.
Who is GNAO1?
You may have been introduced to Samuel and his family through his father's award-winning film, Including Samuel. Samuel is now featured in a wonderful new film by Dan Habib that's designed to raise awareness about a genetic condition called GNAO1.
