Serious Mental Illness

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) make up approximately 1% of the U.S. population (Boyle, et al., 2011; Maulik, et al., 2011). Among this population, prevalence estimates of mental illness (MI) vary widely, with the majority of estimates between 30-50% (Adams & Matson, 2015). People with dual diagnosis of MI and IDD face significant barriers to living in the community, including a lack of available services and supports. They are more likely than those with IDD-only or MI-only to live in institutions, contributing to increased societal costs and a reduced quality of life (Cimera, Avellone, & Feldman-Sparber, 2015). Additionally, people with dual diagnosis are more likely to be deemed incapable of work, earn less money, and work fewer hours, than those with IDD-only or MI-only (Cimera et al., 2015), and they are more likely to have poor health. People with dual diagnosis report higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, being overweight or obese, and using tobacco than people with IDD-only (National Core Indicators, 2015). There is also concern about high rates of misidentification, lack of treatment models, and polypharmacy in this population (Krahn et al., 2006; Whittle, et al., 2018). While adults with IDD experience high rates of mental illness, current community-based supports and services fall short in meeting the complex needs of this population and many service providers do not feel competent in serving this population (Whittle, et al., 2018). Expanding the number of community-based service providers who can competently diagnosis and serve this population is an important first step in improving access and quality of services (Whittle, et al., 2018). This proposal outlines a plan to establish a National Training Initiative to build community capacity to support individuals with co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental illness. This collaborative national training initiative will be coordinated between the UCEDD programs in Utah, Alaska, and Kentucky. This National Training Initiative will use a multi-platform approach to deliver interdisciplinary training opportunities for professionals, students, families, and individuals with disabilities. This collaborative training model will focus on the following goals and objectives: Goal 1: Establish a sustainable National Training Center (NTC) to build capacity to better serve individuals with co-occurring intellectual/ developmental disabilities and mental illness. 1. Establish a nationally representative advisory panel of experts, including individuals with IDD/dual diagnosis and family members. 2. Create and maintain a web-based dissemination hub for knowledge exchange and transfer that provides information and resources to multiple audiences, including culturally and linguistically diverse populations. 3. Develop and conduct comprehensive, evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally competent training for individuals with IDD, families, direct support professionals (DSP), behavioral health workers, health care professionals, other community service providers, and UCEDD/LEND trainees, staff, and faculty. This objective includes a “Leadership in Dual Diagnosis” intensive on-site training for UCEDD / LEND faculty and clinicians to create a sustainable group of IDD professionals in the UCEDD/LEND network. 4. Develop and implement an innovative and collaborative marketing and information dissemination plan in conjunction with the project advisory board. 5. Develop and implement a sustainability plan in conjunction with the project advisory board that will promote further development of dual diagnosis training programs in the UCEDD network, community settings, and professional preparation programs beyond the funding period.