Affiliations: Community and Policy Studies, Rome, NY, USA
Note: [] Community and Policy Studies, 208 Henry Street, Rome, New York
13440, USA. Tel.: +1 315 337 9081
Abstract: As part of the international movement toward user-directed and
community approaches to assistance, this article highlights the findings of a
comprehensive technical assistance and training effort to increase the
community integration of people with the most severe disabilities in 35 states
in the US. The first section of the article presents an overview of the US
state, regional, and private vendor systems, describes the process of
assistance, compares it with traditional university approaches to training, and
discusses the methods, approaches and techniques in creating local and state
change. Highlighting leadership and person-centered approaches, the author
analyzes policy and systems in relationship to families, foster care, housing,
recreation, education, employment, and prevention. The article concludes with
translating philosophical principles through regulations, legislation,
financing, quality, and agency change to better support the participation of
people with disabilities in community life.
Keywords: community integration, systems change, technical assistance, human service organization, university training
