The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities

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The Institute is a voluntary association of organizations supporting services to persons with developmental disabilities. The Institute seeks to influence public policy development which supports these services and to engage in activities which will improve the quality of programs and services throughout the State of Illinois.

 

OUR HISTORY, OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, OUR FUTURE

Since its inception in 1999, the Institute on Public Policy has had one constant vision:  we believe that public policy in Illinois must be driven by best practices – not current practice.

Starting with a small group of five agencies, we now have 27 agencies that share this vision.  Our goal is not to be the biggest, but to be the best.  Though our members are mostly providers, we are not a trade association.  Our mission is to provide leadership, technical support, and training to change the system in Illinois.  We believe that we should move from facilities to supports, from regulations to real lives and that we can change the system one person at a time.

We have three larger goals that currently drive our efforts:

*       Promoting a revised Medicaid Waiver that focuses on individualized options for day and residential supports for three or fewer persons.

*       Implementing a community mobile crisis system that prevents institutionalization, promotes small integrated settings allowing individuals currently in institutions to move to the community

*       Implementing Self Determination in Illinois.  This includes the development of person-centered plans and individual budgets with the person and his/her allies truly in control.

 

We have accomplished much in our short history. Some of the achievements we are most proud of follow::

1.     The institution of an annual Best Practices Conference offering national speakers presenting cutting edge issues.

2.     The creation of our Crisis Innovations Pilot in partnership with DHS and other community stakeholders.  We have successfully diverted individuals from state institutional admissions, allowing them to remain in the community through the efforts of our intensive consultation and support.

3.     Provided leadership in the rewrite of the Medicaid Waiver to promote person-centered community day and residential supports for 3 or fewer persons in the setting.

4.     Wrote white papers and position statements on Howe Developmental Center, Mental Health/DD issues, and other relevant topics.

5.     Provided technical assistance and training each year to other DD agencies, the Department of Aging, DHS, families and people with disabilities on person-centered planning, positive behavioral supports, supervision, and strategic planning.

6.     Promoted mobile community-based crisis supports as an alternative to facility-based services in state operated developmental centers (SODCs).

Much has been done and much is left to do.  We will continue to work urgently toward our goal of assisting individuals with disabilities and their families to enjoy full citizenship that is their birthright.

To explore membership, please contact the Institute