Hosted by Candace Cunningham, Candace’s Corner podcast series invites leaders across our state to talk about key issues affecting the disability community.
This season, Candace explores the history of the developmental disabilities system in Missouri.
Episode Details
In this season of Candace’s Corner, we talk to people who made a significant difference in creating Missouri’s Developmental Disability System and transforming the system from institution care to individualized supports.
In Episode 1, we talk with Bernard Simons, former Director of Missouri’s Division of Developmental Disabilities from 2006-2014. He guided the state’s transition from institutional to community-based supports and helped strengthen the quality and accountability of services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Simons helped move the system from institutional care to community-based supports. He worked to make services more personal, fair, and focused on helping people live full lives in their communities.
Simons served as Deputy Secretary with Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In 2024, he received the Ben Censoni Award for Excellence in Public Service.
Discussion Topics
- Restructuring the Missouri Developmental Disability System to better serve individuals with developmental disabilities to be served in the community.
- Strengthening the quality enhancement system
- Reducing caseloads of case-management
- Improving communications with community providers, state associations and county boards
- Reducing the number of people living in state institutions.
- Creating Individualized Supports:
- Crisis to Prevention
- Provider-driven to self-directed
- Congregate care to individualized supports
- Compliance to outcomes
- Region service delivery to county service delivery
- Creating community housing
- Supporting families
Glossary and Resources
Resources and Links
- The Ben Censoni Award for Excellence in Public Service is presented by The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. This is the only award that recognizes public officials who strive to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Missouri Quality Outcomes – Missouri’s quality of life outcomes framework focusing on self-determination, health, inclusion, and safety.
- Presentation from the Missouri DD System Transformation Workgroup (2014) outlining system restructuring goals initiated during Bernard Simons tenure.
Organizations
- Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities helps people with developmental disabilities live their best lives. They offer services and support to help people:
- Stay healthy and safe
- Be part of their community
- Find and keep a job
- Live where they choose
- Make their own decisions
- People First of Missouri is a self-advocacy organization that was formed by, is run by, and exists for people with developmental disabilities in the state of Missouri. As a non-profit organization, membership consists of local affiliated chapters and promotes equality for people with disabilities so they can live the life they want in their community.
The WeSaid at the UCEDD is a Training and Technical Assistance Center that gives people with developmental disabilities opportunities to speak up, lead and teach others.
