Center for Disabilities Studies2005-2006 Annual Report

College of Human Services, Education & Public PolicyUniversity of Delaware

CenterforDisabilitiesStudies•UniversityofDelaware•461WyomingRoad•Newark,DE19716(302)831-6974voice•(302)831-4689TDD•www.udel.edu/cds

AbouttheArtist

TheartworkusedinthiscalendarwasthevisionandworkofAaronDeede.AWilmington,Delawareresi-dent,Mr.DeedehasbeenadedicatedartistformanyyearsandisamemberoftheCenterforDisabilitiesStudies’CommunityAdvisoryCouncil.HecompletedthecoverartduringasessionwiththeArtTherapyExpressProgram,anonprofitorganizationinDelawarethatpartnerswithpeoplewithdisabilitiestoexploreandexcelinart.Findmoreinformationat:www.arttherapyexpress.org.

2007 Calendar

New Directions Early Head Start

Center for Disabilities Studies Staff & Students

Financials

Federal Government 57%

State of Delaware 39%

Foundations 3%

Local funding <1%

Individual Gifts <1%

The Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) had an operatingbudget of $4,864,787 from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. Ofthis total, $2,789,909 was obtained through grants from theOffice of Head Start and the Administration onDevelopmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health& Human Services, Administration for Children & Families.

In addition to the operating budget, CDS also received match-ing support worth over $1,000,000 from the University ofDelaware in the form of graduate research assistantships andtuition waivers and support for a wide range of projects andactivities.

Debbie AmsdenTracy BaileyDebbie BainHeidi BeckMark BernsteinKeith BogerDebby BoyerSandi BradfordTim BrooksMartha BuellKaren CatrowAlison ChandlerTeresita CuevasCarol DensonNancy EdwardsSteve EidelmanLaura EisenmanDiana FarrellNancy FreedmanJackie GallagherCarolyn GravesJudy GreeneDavid HannahRobin HarbaughVanessa HarperAmy Harter

Sarah HearnRon KelleyMalisa KnoxDebbie KochEsther LauserJudi MacBrideTracy MannJanet McGeheanDanielle MekulskiDiane MerrillCory NourieMichael PartieGwen PerellaJulisa QuixchanKaren RuckerWhitney RutherfordJim SaltC. Renée Settles-BeanCynthia SlaterBeverly StaplefordSusan SullivanMary ThomasKaren TownsendPat TressellNancy WeissJamie Wolfe

Graduate StudentsKristin Arterbridge, Erin Bastien, NikkiBeden, Marsha Carter, Helene Delpeche,Becca Dougherty, Lauren Francis, LauraGuralnick, Jill Kamphaus, Katie Macklin,Lauren Messner, Anja Parish, AnnemariePotucek, Dorit Radnai-Griffin, JonathanRifkin, Juliet Rogers, Melina McConatha-Rosle, Stephanie Terzian, Jin Wu

Undergraduate StudentsJustin Bernstein, Dina Femia, SarahFolckemmer, Andrew Hodgkins, BeckyKoch, Laura Milazzo, Sarah Mirel, SteveStolte, Taryn Crowley

Michael Gamel-McCormick, Director

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices, New Directions Early Head Start (NDEHS) is acommunity resource for pregnant women, infants, toddlersto age three, and their families. During fiscal year 2006,NDEHS served 203 children – including 24 with disabilities– and 22 pregnant women through its home-based servicesand partner agencies. An experienced staff creates individu-alized approaches to education and support, which helpaddress the unique needs of each child. In fiscal year 2006,two staff members received associate degrees in early child-hood education, and three earned their Child DevelopmentAssociate credentials.

NDEHS also helps families identify and reach personalgoals to empower parents to guide the healthy developmentof their children and make positive life changes. In fiscalyear 2006, 98% of program families participated in personalgoal-setting projects, such as increasing their education,owning a house, or working with a NDEHS child specialist.

By shaping a collaborative service delivery system, diversepartnerships with child-care agencies in New Castle andKent counties set NDEHS apart. This not only increases theimpact of NDEHS but also builds the capacity for qualityinfant and toddler care throughout the state.

For more informationHeidi Beck • (302) 831-0478 • hlbeck@udel.edu

NDEHS 2005-2006 Partner Agencies• College of Human Services, Education &Public Policy, UD

• Early Learning Center, UD• Center for Disabilities Studies, UD• Delaware Early Childhood Center• Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center• Barbara’s Family Day Care• Ms. Blondine’s Sanctuary• Neighborhood House, Inc.

Sources of Funding

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2008 Calendar

New Year’s Day

Martin LutherKing, Jr. Day

9Muharram(Islamic NewYear)

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“My son, Brandon, was diagnosed witha mental delay. But New DirectionsEarly Head Start has helped me a lot ingetting the services and supports Ineed for him.” - Gloria Brown, mother

January 2007

LIFE ConferenceDover, Delaware

www.lifeconference-

de.org

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HanukkahBegins

Eid al-Adha

Early Learning CenterHaving completed its second year of operation, TheEarly Learning Center (ELC) at the University ofDelaware is a thriving, interactive organization that con-tinues to surpass expectations. Its three-pronged mis-sion to integrate service, education, and research pro-motes an interactive learning environment that benefitschildren, families, university students, and the commu-nity. Accordingly, the ELC logged an astounding 6,000visitors during fiscal year 2006.

With the capacity to hold 227 children, the ELC served awide range of children from the community over fiscalyear 2006, including those living in foster care or pover-ty. Over 17% of the children served have a disability. Thelow staff-to-child ratio increases individual attention toeach child, which helps the ELC effectively serve chil-dren at all developmental levels.

The ELC maintains ties with 18 departments at theUniversity of Delaware, including psychology, physicaltherapy, music, and hotel, restaurant, and institutionalmanagement. Students examine classroom activitiesfrom state-of-the-art observation decks, engage incoursework, or participate in daily activities throughoutthe center. The ELC is also a research hub that offersnumerous opportunities for university departments andcenters to conduct translational research.

For more informationKaren L Rucker • (302) 831-6205 • krucker@udel.edu

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Community Advisory Council

Marie-Anne AghazadianParent Information Center of

Delaware

Becky AllenThe Arc of Delaware

Steven AmickDelaware State Senator

Judy BrimerParent

Martha BrooksDelaware Department of

Education

Aaron DeedeCommunity Member

Russ DynesLead Prevention Program, Public

Health

Micki EdelsohnHomes For Life Foundation

Deborah FarrisUniversity of Delaware

Tina FieldsCommunity Member

Tony GlennDFRC, Inc.

Ann GrunertSpecial Olympics Delaware

Andrea GuestDivision of Vocational

RehabilitationBrian Hartman

Disabilities Law Program

Linda HellerDivision of Services for Aging &Adults with Physical Disabilities

Harry HillDivision for the Visually Impaired

Peggy HirschParent

Kyle HodgesState Council for Persons with

DisabilitiesRay Hunt

Independent Resources, Inc.

Jack JadachLeach School

Yolanda JenkinsDivision of Child Mental Health

Services

Dan KeatingBancroft NeuroHealth

Brenda KramerParent

Rita Landgraf, ChairCommunity Member

Pat MaichleDevelopmental Disabilities Council

Raetta McCallAdvocate

Cathy McKelveyFreedom Center for Independent

Living

Daniese McMullin-PowellState Council for Persons with

Disabilities

Laurie NicoliParent

Elizabeth NolanCommunity Member

Terry OlsonMosaic, Inc.

Alfred OnuongaDelaware Center for Justice

Ann PhillipsParent

Paul PoplawskiAdult, Adolescent & Family

Psychologist

Susan RobinsonDivision of Substance Abuse &

Mental Health

Marianne SmithDivision of DevelopmentalDisabilities Services

Robert ValihuraDelaware State Representative

Valentine’s Day

Presidents’ Day

The Center for Disabilities Studies benefits every year from community partnerships, including our 2005-2006 Community Advisory Council. We value the contributions of all of our partners and supporters.

Chinese NewYear

For more informationTracy Mann • (302) 831-3150 • tlm@udel.edu

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Early Childhood InitiativesBy providing technical assistance, training, and evaluation serv-ices, the Early Childhood (EC) Group seeks to improve thequality of programs that support children from birth to earlyelementary school. The group helps these programs to preventdevelopmental delays or identify them earlier, include childrenwith developmental delays and disabilities, and assess the out-comes of children. The EC Group’s services reached nearly 600early childhood educators throughout fiscal year 2006.

Since many federal- and state-funded programs are mandatedto document their outcomes, the EC Group works with earlychildhood programs to assess and articulate results. This helpsprograms gain a clearer understanding of their strengths andweaknesses. Programs can then convey this information to fam-ilies or use it to make positive organizational changes.

For instance, during fiscal year 2006, the group conducted afamily survey for the state of Delaware’s Birth-to-Three EarlyIntervention System. This survey gathered families’ perceptionsabout the services they receive through the system andaddressed the requirements put forth by new federal measures.

The EC Group also worked with the Delaware Department ofEducation to evaluate the pilot full-day kindergarten program.For the second year in a row, the group helped compare theoutcomes of full-day and part-day kindergarten models andevaluate the benefits of each.

For more informationDebbie Amsden • (302) 831-3633 • irmc@udel.edu

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“I hope and pray that eventually people will start makingit easier for individuals with disabilities. And I want theseindividuals with disabilities to realize that they have a sayin helping this to happen.” - Tina Fields, Center forDisabilities Studies’ advisory council member

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Dissemination & AdvocacyThe mission of the Center for Disabilities Studies(CDS) is to enhance the lives of individuals andfamilies through education, prevention, service,and research related to disabilities. Through itsinformation distribution and advocacy efforts, CDSincreases awareness about the supports and servic-es needed to help people with disabilities fully par-ticipate in the life of the community.

Information sharing is bidirectional, and individu-als with disabilities bring invaluable advice, knowl-edge, and experience to CDS. These individualshave a fundamental role in CDS’ programs, proj-ects, and activities. For instance, Tina Fields, anadvisory council member and part-time staff mem-ber at CDS, and her husband, Tom Fields, attendedthe Self-Advocates Becoming EmpoweredConference in Georgia in May of 2006. “This eventallowed people to come together to share opinionsand ideas about disabilities and advocacy as well asform new friendships,” reported Ms. Fields afterreturning from the conference.

Furthermore, with support from CDS, Ms. Fields isorganizing a support group for young girls withTurner Syndrome and their families. Through herpersonal experiences with Turner Syndrome, shehopes to serve as a source of advice and encourage-ment for these children and families.

Purim

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Daylight SavingsBegins

For more informationTracy Mann • (302) 831-3150 • tlm@udel.edu

al-Mawlidal-Nabawi

Dissemination Highlights• Presentations at conferences including the LIFEConference, the Inclusion Conference, the TASHConference, and other state and nationalconferences.

• Outreach to community and neighborhood groups.• delAware: One issue of delAware was published in2005-2006 which focused on leadership in thedisabilities field.

• www.udel.edu/cds: A comprehensive Web site isupdated regularly to include news, events, reports,and publications of interest to the public.

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Halloween

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Delaware Early Care & EducationWorkforce StudyA main focus of the Early Childhood (EC) Group’s activitiesis to evaluate components of the early childhood professionand provide training, technical assistance, and support toits employees. In fiscal year 2006, the Department ofEducation and the Office of Child Care Licensing funded anew project titled the Delaware Early Care and EducationWorkforce Study.

The project’s aim is to identify the wages, worker benefits,and experiences of employees in the early care and educa-tion professions in Delaware. The rationale behind theworkforce study is to determine areas where policy could beused to increase employees’ economic well-being.

The study surveyed 431 early child-care programs in thestate, which employ 6,006 people and serve 38,554 chil-dren. This vast sample allowed the EC Group to collectdetailed data about the employment, benefits, wages, edu-cational level, etc. of the early childhood workforce.

Major findings thus far include the following: the averageemployee educational level is a high-school degree; theaverage wage is $9.44 per hour; and the average length ofemployment in the profession is 10.6 years.

For more informationDebbie Amsden • (302) 831-3633 • irmc@udel.edu

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Community EducationThe training activities at the Center for DisabilitiesStudies (CDS) – often referred to as CommunityEducation – serve those who work in the develop-mental disability field. During fiscal year 2006, com-munity education activities included five distinct cer-tificate programs with a total of 269 participants.Each certificate program is internally developed atCDS to address a variety of community needs.

The programs offer practical instruction and skillsdevelopment to direct support professionals, physi-cians, educators, and other employees in the field.Courses include “Best Practices in the Field,”“Support Coordination,” “Supported Employment,”and “Positive Behavior Supports.” In addition, “First-Line Supervisor Training” educates first-line andmiddle managers in vocational, day, and residentialsettings on how to create positive work environmentsthat enhance organizational productivity.

Training sessions are designed to reverse stereotypesand common misconceptions by ensuring that peoplewith disabilities are viewed as active, valued, andimportant members of society. “New Visions” is acornerstone course that introduces general informa-tion about disabilities, a history of events in the dis-ability community, and the importance of people-first language.

For more informationBev Stapleford • (302) 831-4688 • bstape@udel.edu

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Labor Day

First Day ofAutumn

RoshHashannah

RamadanBegins

School-Aged Initiatives

The goal of the School-Aged (SA) Group is to create a positiveeducational climate that promotes the social and academicsuccess of all children. One of the SA Group’s most extensiveprojects is the Delaware Positive Behavior Support (PBS)Initiative, which provides a comprehensive approach forschools to implement a universal system of behavior support.

During fiscal year 2006, the project worked with 107 (approx-imately 50%) of the schools in Delaware. One school involvedwith the PBS Initiative – David W. Harlan Elementary Schoolin Wilmington – received the Delaware Superstars inEducation Award for its use of “targeted” positive behaviorsupport interventions to assist struggling students. In 2006,only seven schools in the state were recognized with thisaward for best practices in education.

Another important project is the Inclusive Schools Initiative,which supports systematic changes that allow children withdisabilities to access general education settings and content inthe schools. To help ensure that effective models of supportexist for children outside the classroom, a project titled the21st Century Learning Community Grant aims to create posi-tive after-school opportunities in underserved communities.

All these initiatives work together to create a proactive systemof support in school and community settings. They furtherprovide strategies for developing individualized interventionsto foster inclusive environments that support children withand without disabilities.

For more informationDebby Boyer • (302) 831-3503 • dboyer@udel.edu

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Yom Kippur

“The disabilities minor appealed to me because it seemed to fill in the gaps thatmy major did not offer me. It appeared to explore disabilities on a deeper level.”- University of Delaware student

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Direct SupportProfessionalsConferenceDover, Delaware

www.udel.edu/cds

The College of Human Services, Education, and PublicPolicy at the University of Delaware offers an under-graduate minor in disabilities studies that provides stu-dents with an opportunity to learn about the policies,laws, and services that affect people with disabilities.

At the end of the 2006 spring semester, 72 studentswere enrolled in the minor. This number continues toincrease over the years. The minor consists of an inter-disciplinary approach that attracts students from avariety of majors including biology, engineering, andpsychology.

Eighteen credits of coursework include a CapstoneSenior Seminar that engages students in hands-onexperience through work with local advocacy agenciesand people with disabilities. Projects from the past pro-gram year include assisting with the NationalAssociation for Down Syndrome benefit walk and help-ing recent high-school graduates with disabilities tofind assistive technology.

In the fall of 2005, Jamie Wolfe, Chair of the DelawareDevelopmental Disabilities Council and a disability spe-cialist at the Center for Disabilities Studies, joined theminor as a co-instructor. The students benefit tremen-dously from Ms. Wolfe’s extensive professional experi-ence in the policy and advocacy fields and from herpersonal perspective on living with a disability.

University Education

For more informationLaura Eisenman • (302) 831-0532 • eisenman@udel.edu

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Transition Partnership ProjectDesigned for 18- to 21-year-olds with significantintellectual disabilities, the Transition PartnershipProject (TPP) helps bridge the gap between life as astudent and life as an adult. TPP prepares theseyoung adults for independence and new roles, suchas work or ongoing education. For over 10 years, theUniversity of Delaware (UD) has partnered with theRed Clay School District to deliver the program. Atthe end of fiscal year 2006, 24 young adult partici-pants were enrolled.

The program rents an apartment in a local complexnear UD as “home base” for the day’s activities.Each morning, the students arrive at the apartmentvia paratransit and connect with their teachers andparaprofessionals to engage in daily skills training.“We learn how to vacuum and clean the windows,and we cook for each other,” says Amye Klaft.

On campus, participants hold jobs and gain workexperience. Josh Watts, who works at a small mar-ket in a UD dorm, states, “I like working, and I’velearned job skills.” Participants also take part insocial activities in their apartments and aroundcampus. Christy Seob enjoys going to a local pizze-ria while Greg Cloud likes to hang out at UD and goto the football games.

For more informationJackie Gallagher • (302) 831-3062 • 11970@udel.edu

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“I learned that I needed to advocatemore and not be afraid to ask for whatI need.” - Blake Bossert, talking aboutthe Leadership & Advocacy course

June 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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The REAL ProjectPoised to enter its third year, the REAL (Recreation,Enhancement, and Learning) Program is quickly becom-ing a hallmark of the Adult Services Group. Founded onthe basis of respect, autonomy, and self-determination,REAL goes beyond the pre-kindergarten-to-12th-gradeeducation system and provides opportunities for adultswith disabilities in Delaware to explore continuing educa-tion. Classes serve as a resource for real-life informationand a social setting for students to meet and interact.

During fiscal year 2006, the REAL Program held four ses-sions and had 210 enrolled students. Each session con-sisted of five courses designed to guide an exploration ofdifferent areas of the student’s life. These courses coveredindependent living, health and safety, employmentopportunities, leadership and advocacy, and the fine arts.

Some REAL students went on job interviews with com-pleted resumes, and some got jobs. Others attended apublic education forum to hone their advocacy skills andbring attention to the issues faced by adults with disabili-ties. Students also learned valuable basic knowledge suchas why wearing sun block on cloudy days is important orhow to identify a poison ivy plant. One participant in thefine arts track, Aaron Deede, also went on to teach an artclass in the technique of making beads out of polymerclay for the REAL Program.

First Day ofSummer

Father’s Day

For more informationCory Nourie • (302) 831-1705 • nourie@udel.edu

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“My favorite part is going to work on campus.” - Christy Seob

July 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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IndependenceDay

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Adult Services InitiativesThe goal of the Adult Services (AS) Group is to createmodel adult services, conduct research in areas rele-vant to adult services, and provide training to enhancethe quality of adult services. One of the primary aimsof the AS Group is to help adults with disabilities thrivein their personal lives and in their communities.

During fiscal year 2006, 240 participants enrolled in avariety of programs. These programs includedCommunity Connectors, which helps adults becomemore active in their communities, and the Leadership,Employment, Advocacy Development (LEAD) Project,which helps young adults with disabilities acquire orstrengthen leadership and advocacy skills. In February2006, the LEAD Project partnered with KenCrest tocreate a new resource Web site, called TransitionMap,to help teenagers and adults with disabilities success-fully move out of the school environment. (For moreinformation, visit www.transitionmapde.org.)

The AS Group also works with those who assist adultswith disabilities, such as direct support professionals.In recognition of the critical role these individuals playin the lives of people with disabilities, the group heldDelaware’s First Conference for Direct SupportProfessionals on May 4, 2006. The conference attract-ed more than 300 people representing over 75 agen-cies, organizations, and schools throughout Delaware.

For more informationBev Stapleford • (302) 831-4688 • bstape@udel.edu

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“The conference was informative, and it was greatto interact with other direct support professionals.”- An attendee of the 2006 Direct SupportProfessionals Conference

July 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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IndependenceDay

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Adult Services InitiativesThe goal of the Adult Services (AS) Group is to createmodel adult services, conduct research in areas rele-vant to adult services, and provide training to enhancethe quality of adult services. One of the primary aimsof the AS Group is to help adults with disabilities thrivein their personal lives and in their communities.

During fiscal year 2006, 240 participants enrolled in avariety of programs. These programs includedCommunity Connectors, which helps adults becomemore active in their communities, and the Leadership,Employment, Advocacy Development (LEAD) Project,which helps young adults with disabilities acquire orstrengthen leadership and advocacy skills. In February2006, the LEAD Project partnered with KenCrest tocreate a new resource Web site, called TransitionMap,to help teenagers and adults with disabilities success-fully move out of the school environment. (For moreinformation, visit www.transitionmapde.org.)

The AS Group also works with those who assist adultswith disabilities, such as direct support professionals.In recognition of the critical role these individuals playin the lives of people with disabilities, the group heldDelaware’s First Conference for Direct SupportProfessionals on May 4, 2006. The conference attract-ed more than 300 people representing over 75 agen-cies, organizations, and schools throughout Delaware.

For more informationBev Stapleford • (302) 831-4688 • bstape@udel.edu

31

“The conference was informative, and it was greatto interact with other direct support professionals.”- An attendee of the 2006 Direct SupportProfessionals Conference

June 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29

The REAL ProjectPoised to enter its third year, the REAL (Recreation,Enhancement, and Learning) Program is quickly becom-ing a hallmark of the Adult Services Group. Founded onthe basis of respect, autonomy, and self-determination,REAL goes beyond the pre-kindergarten-to-12th-gradeeducation system and provides opportunities for adultswith disabilities in Delaware to explore continuing educa-tion. Classes serve as a resource for real-life informationand a social setting for students to meet and interact.

During fiscal year 2006, the REAL Program held four ses-sions and had 210 enrolled students. Each session con-sisted of five courses designed to guide an exploration ofdifferent areas of the student’s life. These courses coveredindependent living, health and safety, employmentopportunities, leadership and advocacy, and the fine arts.

Some REAL students went on job interviews with com-pleted resumes, and some got jobs. Others attended apublic education forum to hone their advocacy skills andbring attention to the issues faced by adults with disabili-ties. Students also learned valuable basic knowledge suchas why wearing sun block on cloudy days is important orhow to identify a poison ivy plant. One participant in thefine arts track, Aaron Deede, also went on to teach an artclass in the technique of making beads out of polymerclay for the REAL Program.

First Day ofSummer

Father’s Day

For more informationCory Nourie • (302) 831-1705 • nourie@udel.edu

30

“My favorite part is going to work on campus.” - Christy Seob

August 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Transition Partnership ProjectDesigned for 18- to 21-year-olds with significantintellectual disabilities, the Transition PartnershipProject (TPP) helps bridge the gap between life as astudent and life as an adult. TPP prepares theseyoung adults for independence and new roles, suchas work or ongoing education. For over 10 years, theUniversity of Delaware (UD) has partnered with theRed Clay School District to deliver the program. Atthe end of fiscal year 2006, 24 young adult partici-pants were enrolled.

The program rents an apartment in a local complexnear UD as “home base” for the day’s activities.Each morning, the students arrive at the apartmentvia paratransit and connect with their teachers andparaprofessionals to engage in daily skills training.“We learn how to vacuum and clean the windows,and we cook for each other,” says Amye Klaft.

On campus, participants hold jobs and gain workexperience. Josh Watts, who works at a small mar-ket in a UD dorm, states, “I like working, and I’velearned job skills.” Participants also take part insocial activities in their apartments and aroundcampus. Christy Seob enjoys going to a local pizze-ria while Greg Cloud likes to hang out at UD and goto the football games.

For more informationJackie Gallagher • (302) 831-3062 • 11970@udel.edu

19

31

“I learned that I needed to advocatemore and not be afraid to ask for whatI need.” - Blake Bossert, talking aboutthe Leadership & Advocacy course

May 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

3 4 5

6 7 8 9

14 15 17 18 19

20 21 22 23

29 3027 28

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10 11 12

13

Mother’s Day

Memorial Day

24 25 26

16

31

Direct SupportProfessionalsConferenceDover, Delaware

www.udel.edu/cds

The College of Human Services, Education, and PublicPolicy at the University of Delaware offers an under-graduate minor in disabilities studies that provides stu-dents with an opportunity to learn about the policies,laws, and services that affect people with disabilities.

At the end of the 2006 spring semester, 72 studentswere enrolled in the minor. This number continues toincrease over the years. The minor consists of an inter-disciplinary approach that attracts students from avariety of majors including biology, engineering, andpsychology.

Eighteen credits of coursework include a CapstoneSenior Seminar that engages students in hands-onexperience through work with local advocacy agenciesand people with disabilities. Projects from the past pro-gram year include assisting with the NationalAssociation for Down Syndrome benefit walk and help-ing recent high-school graduates with disabilities tofind assistive technology.

In the fall of 2005, Jamie Wolfe, Chair of the DelawareDevelopmental Disabilities Council and a disability spe-cialist at the Center for Disabilities Studies, joined theminor as a co-instructor. The students benefit tremen-dously from Ms. Wolfe’s extensive professional experi-ence in the policy and advocacy fields and from herpersonal perspective on living with a disability.

University Education

For more informationLaura Eisenman • (302) 831-0532 • eisenman@udel.edu

September 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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27 28 29

Labor Day

First Day ofAutumn

RoshHashannah

RamadanBegins

School-Aged Initiatives

The goal of the School-Aged (SA) Group is to create a positiveeducational climate that promotes the social and academicsuccess of all children. One of the SA Group’s most extensiveprojects is the Delaware Positive Behavior Support (PBS)Initiative, which provides a comprehensive approach forschools to implement a universal system of behavior support.

During fiscal year 2006, the project worked with 107 (approx-imately 50%) of the schools in Delaware. One school involvedwith the PBS Initiative – David W. Harlan Elementary Schoolin Wilmington – received the Delaware Superstars inEducation Award for its use of “targeted” positive behaviorsupport interventions to assist struggling students. In 2006,only seven schools in the state were recognized with thisaward for best practices in education.

Another important project is the Inclusive Schools Initiative,which supports systematic changes that allow children withdisabilities to access general education settings and content inthe schools. To help ensure that effective models of supportexist for children outside the classroom, a project titled the21st Century Learning Community Grant aims to create posi-tive after-school opportunities in underserved communities.

All these initiatives work together to create a proactive systemof support in school and community settings. They furtherprovide strategies for developing individualized interventionsto foster inclusive environments that support children withand without disabilities.

For more informationDebby Boyer • (302) 831-3503 • dboyer@udel.edu

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Yom Kippur

“The disabilities minor appealed to me because it seemed to fill in the gaps thatmy major did not offer me. It appeared to explore disabilities on a deeper level.”- University of Delaware student

April 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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18

Good Friday

Easter

Earth Day

1 2 3 4 75 6

Passover Begins

Community EducationThe training activities at the Center for DisabilitiesStudies (CDS) – often referred to as CommunityEducation – serve those who work in the develop-mental disability field. During fiscal year 2006, com-munity education activities included five distinct cer-tificate programs with a total of 269 participants.Each certificate program is internally developed atCDS to address a variety of community needs.

The programs offer practical instruction and skillsdevelopment to direct support professionals, physi-cians, educators, and other employees in the field.Courses include “Best Practices in the Field,”“Support Coordination,” “Supported Employment,”and “Positive Behavior Supports.” In addition, “First-Line Supervisor Training” educates first-line andmiddle managers in vocational, day, and residentialsettings on how to create positive work environmentsthat enhance organizational productivity.

Training sessions are designed to reverse stereotypesand common misconceptions by ensuring that peoplewith disabilities are viewed as active, valued, andimportant members of society. “New Visions” is acornerstone course that introduces general informa-tion about disabilities, a history of events in the dis-ability community, and the importance of people-first language.

For more informationBev Stapleford • (302) 831-4688 • bstape@udel.edu

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October 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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5ColumbusDay

Eid al-Fitr

Halloween

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Delaware Early Care & EducationWorkforce StudyA main focus of the Early Childhood (EC) Group’s activitiesis to evaluate components of the early childhood professionand provide training, technical assistance, and support toits employees. In fiscal year 2006, the Department ofEducation and the Office of Child Care Licensing funded anew project titled the Delaware Early Care and EducationWorkforce Study.

The project’s aim is to identify the wages, worker benefits,and experiences of employees in the early care and educa-tion professions in Delaware. The rationale behind theworkforce study is to determine areas where policy could beused to increase employees’ economic well-being.

The study surveyed 431 early child-care programs in thestate, which employ 6,006 people and serve 38,554 chil-dren. This vast sample allowed the EC Group to collectdetailed data about the employment, benefits, wages, edu-cational level, etc. of the early childhood workforce.

Major findings thus far include the following: the averageemployee educational level is a high-school degree; theaverage wage is $9.44 per hour; and the average length ofemployment in the profession is 10.6 years.

For more informationDebbie Amsden • (302) 831-3633 • irmc@udel.edu

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March 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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9 10St. Patrick’s Day

First Day ofSpring

Dissemination & AdvocacyThe mission of the Center for Disabilities Studies(CDS) is to enhance the lives of individuals andfamilies through education, prevention, service,and research related to disabilities. Through itsinformation distribution and advocacy efforts, CDSincreases awareness about the supports and servic-es needed to help people with disabilities fully par-ticipate in the life of the community.

Information sharing is bidirectional, and individu-als with disabilities bring invaluable advice, knowl-edge, and experience to CDS. These individualshave a fundamental role in CDS’ programs, proj-ects, and activities. For instance, Tina Fields, anadvisory council member and part-time staff mem-ber at CDS, and her husband, Tom Fields, attendedthe Self-Advocates Becoming EmpoweredConference in Georgia in May of 2006. “This eventallowed people to come together to share opinionsand ideas about disabilities and advocacy as well asform new friendships,” reported Ms. Fields afterreturning from the conference.

Furthermore, with support from CDS, Ms. Fields isorganizing a support group for young girls withTurner Syndrome and their families. Through herpersonal experiences with Turner Syndrome, shehopes to serve as a source of advice and encourage-ment for these children and families.

Purim

24

Daylight SavingsBegins

For more informationTracy Mann • (302) 831-3150 • tlm@udel.edu

al-Mawlidal-Nabawi

Dissemination Highlights• Presentations at conferences including the LIFEConference, the Inclusion Conference, the TASHConference, and other state and nationalconferences.

• Outreach to community and neighborhood groups.• delAware: One issue of delAware was published in2005-2006 which focused on leadership in thedisabilities field.

• www.udel.edu/cds: A comprehensive Web site isupdated regularly to include news, events, reports,and publications of interest to the public.

November 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Veterans’ Day

ThanksgivingDay

DaylightSavings Ends

Early Childhood InitiativesBy providing technical assistance, training, and evaluation serv-ices, the Early Childhood (EC) Group seeks to improve thequality of programs that support children from birth to earlyelementary school. The group helps these programs to preventdevelopmental delays or identify them earlier, include childrenwith developmental delays and disabilities, and assess the out-comes of children. The EC Group’s services reached nearly 600early childhood educators throughout fiscal year 2006.

Since many federal- and state-funded programs are mandatedto document their outcomes, the EC Group works with earlychildhood programs to assess and articulate results. This helpsprograms gain a clearer understanding of their strengths andweaknesses. Programs can then convey this information to fam-ilies or use it to make positive organizational changes.

For instance, during fiscal year 2006, the group conducted afamily survey for the state of Delaware’s Birth-to-Three EarlyIntervention System. This survey gathered families’ perceptionsabout the services they receive through the system andaddressed the requirements put forth by new federal measures.

The EC Group also worked with the Delaware Department ofEducation to evaluate the pilot full-day kindergarten program.For the second year in a row, the group helped compare theoutcomes of full-day and part-day kindergarten models andevaluate the benefits of each.

For more informationDebbie Amsden • (302) 831-3633 • irmc@udel.edu

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“I hope and pray that eventually people will start makingit easier for individuals with disabilities. And I want theseindividuals with disabilities to realize that they have a sayin helping this to happen.” - Tina Fields, Center forDisabilities Studies’ advisory council member

Community Advisory Council

Marie-Anne AghazadianParent Information Center of

Delaware

Becky AllenThe Arc of Delaware

Steven AmickDelaware State Senator

Judy BrimerParent

Martha BrooksDelaware Department of

Education

Aaron DeedeCommunity Member

Russ DynesLead Prevention Program, Public

Health

Micki EdelsohnHomes For Life Foundation

Deborah FarrisUniversity of Delaware

Tina FieldsCommunity Member

Tony GlennDFRC, Inc.

Ann GrunertSpecial Olympics Delaware

Andrea GuestDivision of Vocational

RehabilitationBrian Hartman

Disabilities Law Program

Linda HellerDivision of Services for Aging &Adults with Physical Disabilities

Harry HillDivision for the Visually Impaired

Peggy HirschParent

Kyle HodgesState Council for Persons with

DisabilitiesRay Hunt

Independent Resources, Inc.

Jack JadachLeach School

Yolanda JenkinsDivision of Child Mental Health

Services

Dan KeatingBancroft NeuroHealth

Brenda KramerParent

Rita Landgraf, ChairCommunity Member

Pat MaichleDevelopmental Disabilities Council

Raetta McCallAdvocate

Cathy McKelveyFreedom Center for Independent

Living

Daniese McMullin-PowellState Council for Persons with

Disabilities

Laurie NicoliParent

Elizabeth NolanCommunity Member

Terry OlsonMosaic, Inc.

Alfred OnuongaDelaware Center for Justice

Ann PhillipsParent

Paul PoplawskiAdult, Adolescent & Family

Psychologist

Susan RobinsonDivision of Substance Abuse &

Mental Health

Marianne SmithDivision of DevelopmentalDisabilities Services

Robert ValihuraDelaware State Representative

Valentine’s Day

Presidents’ Day

The Center for Disabilities Studies benefits every year from community partnerships, including our 2005-2006 Community Advisory Council. We value the contributions of all of our partners and supporters.

Chinese NewYear

For more informationTracy Mann • (302) 831-3150 • tlm@udel.edu

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Ash Wednesday

Groundhog Day

December 2007Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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First Day ofWinter

Christmas Day KwanzaaBegins

HanukkahBegins

Eid al-Adha

Early Learning CenterHaving completed its second year of operation, TheEarly Learning Center (ELC) at the University ofDelaware is a thriving, interactive organization that con-tinues to surpass expectations. Its three-pronged mis-sion to integrate service, education, and research pro-motes an interactive learning environment that benefitschildren, families, university students, and the commu-nity. Accordingly, the ELC logged an astounding 6,000visitors during fiscal year 2006.

With the capacity to hold 227 children, the ELC served awide range of children from the community over fiscalyear 2006, including those living in foster care or pover-ty. Over 17% of the children served have a disability. Thelow staff-to-child ratio increases individual attention toeach child, which helps the ELC effectively serve chil-dren at all developmental levels.

The ELC maintains ties with 18 departments at theUniversity of Delaware, including psychology, physicaltherapy, music, and hotel, restaurant, and institutionalmanagement. Students examine classroom activitiesfrom state-of-the-art observation decks, engage incoursework, or participate in daily activities throughoutthe center. The ELC is also a research hub that offersnumerous opportunities for university departments andcenters to conduct translational research.

For more informationKaren L Rucker • (302) 831-6205 • krucker@udel.edu

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December

2008 Calendar

New Year’s Day

Martin LutherKing, Jr. Day

9Muharram(Islamic NewYear)

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“My son, Brandon, was diagnosed witha mental delay. But New DirectionsEarly Head Start has helped me a lot ingetting the services and supports Ineed for him.” - Gloria Brown, mother

January 2007

LIFE ConferenceDover, Delaware

www.lifeconference-

de.org

25 26 27

New Directions Early Head Start

Center for Disabilities Studies Staff & Students

Financials

Federal Government 57%

State of Delaware 39%

Foundations 3%

Local funding <1%

Individual Gifts <1%

The Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) had an operatingbudget of $4,864,787 from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. Ofthis total, $2,789,909 was obtained through grants from theOffice of Head Start and the Administration onDevelopmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health& Human Services, Administration for Children & Families.

In addition to the operating budget, CDS also received match-ing support worth over $1,000,000 from the University ofDelaware in the form of graduate research assistantships andtuition waivers and support for a wide range of projects andactivities.

Debbie AmsdenTracy BaileyDebbie BainHeidi BeckMark BernsteinKeith BogerDebby BoyerSandi BradfordTim BrooksMartha BuellKaren CatrowAlison ChandlerTeresita CuevasCarol DensonNancy EdwardsSteve EidelmanLaura EisenmanDiana FarrellNancy FreedmanJackie GallagherCarolyn GravesJudy GreeneDavid HannahRobin HarbaughVanessa HarperAmy Harter

Sarah HearnRon KelleyMalisa KnoxDebbie KochEsther LauserJudi MacBrideTracy MannJanet McGeheanDanielle MekulskiDiane MerrillCory NourieMichael PartieGwen PerellaJulisa QuixchanKaren RuckerWhitney RutherfordJim SaltC. Renée Settles-BeanCynthia SlaterBeverly StaplefordSusan SullivanMary ThomasKaren TownsendPat TressellNancy WeissJamie Wolfe

Graduate StudentsKristin Arterbridge, Erin Bastien, NikkiBeden, Marsha Carter, Helene Delpeche,Becca Dougherty, Lauren Francis, LauraGuralnick, Jill Kamphaus, Katie Macklin,Lauren Messner, Anja Parish, AnnemariePotucek, Dorit Radnai-Griffin, JonathanRifkin, Juliet Rogers, Melina McConatha-Rosle, Stephanie Terzian, Jin Wu

Undergraduate StudentsJustin Bernstein, Dina Femia, SarahFolckemmer, Andrew Hodgkins, BeckyKoch, Laura Milazzo, Sarah Mirel, SteveStolte, Taryn Crowley

Michael Gamel-McCormick, Director

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices, New Directions Early Head Start (NDEHS) is acommunity resource for pregnant women, infants, toddlersto age three, and their families. During fiscal year 2006,NDEHS served 203 children – including 24 with disabilities– and 22 pregnant women through its home-based servicesand partner agencies. An experienced staff creates individu-alized approaches to education and support, which helpaddress the unique needs of each child. In fiscal year 2006,two staff members received associate degrees in early child-hood education, and three earned their Child DevelopmentAssociate credentials.

NDEHS also helps families identify and reach personalgoals to empower parents to guide the healthy developmentof their children and make positive life changes. In fiscalyear 2006, 98% of program families participated in personalgoal-setting projects, such as increasing their education,owning a house, or working with a NDEHS child specialist.

By shaping a collaborative service delivery system, diversepartnerships with child-care agencies in New Castle andKent counties set NDEHS apart. This not only increases theimpact of NDEHS but also builds the capacity for qualityinfant and toddler care throughout the state.

For more informationHeidi Beck • (302) 831-0478 • hlbeck@udel.edu

NDEHS 2005-2006 Partner Agencies• College of Human Services, Education &Public Policy, UD

• Early Learning Center, UD• Center for Disabilities Studies, UD• Delaware Early Childhood Center• Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center• Barbara’s Family Day Care• Ms. Blondine’s Sanctuary• Neighborhood House, Inc.

Sources of Funding

CenterforDisabilitiesStudies2005-2006AnnualReport

CollegeofHumanServices,Education&PublicPolicyUniversityofDelaware

Center for Disabilities Studies • University of Delaware • 461 Wyoming Road • Newark, DE 19716(302) 831-6974 voice • (302) 831-4689 TDD • www.udel.edu/cds

About the Artist

The artwork used in this calendar was the vision andwork of Aaron Deede. A Wilmington, Delaware resi-dent, Mr. Deede has been a dedicated artist for manyyears and is a member of the Center for DisabilitiesStudies’ Community Advisory Council. He completedthe cover art during a session with the Art TherapyExpress Program, a nonprofit organization inDelaware that partners with people with disabilities toexplore and excel in art. Find more information at:www.arttherapyexpress.org.

2007Calendar