The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development is committed to addressing the whole-support needs of families.
- Information
- Training
- Support services for a variety of needs
- Community training
- Technical assistance to promote consumer and family-centered planning and service coordination to meeting the family’s and the individual’s needs
- Consumer and family support
- Advocacy systems at the community, state and national levels
The Institute for Human Development provides these supports through a number of programs and projects.
Communities of Practice
The Institute for Human Development is a member of the national network of CoPs, which is comprised of 22 states. Together, the CoPs work to enhance and drive policy, practice, and system transformation to support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities within the context of their families and communities.
ECHO Autism Family Advocates Pilot Series
The Institute for Human Development as partnered with the University of Missouri’s Thomspon Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to identify families who may be interested in participating in the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism Family Advocates pilot series. The University of Missouri hosts ECHO programs around many different topics. The Missouri Family to Family program at the UMKC-IHD provides outreach and recruitment to families to participate in the ECHO program. The ECHO Autism project results in high satisfaction and increased self-efficacy in identification and management of patients with autism.
Missouri Family to Family State Resource Center
We are a free statewide program staffed by experts with lived experience that provide tools, resources, training, and peer support to people with disabilities, their families, and supporters.
We walk alongside you on your journey by connecting you with:
- Information needed to make informed decisions.
- Resources to help you live your good life.
- Peer support from people who understand.
- Educational, advocacy, and leadership opportunities.
We work to build a strong disability leadership network by partnering with people and organizations with shared values.
We envision Missouri being the best place for people with disabilities and their families to live, love, learn, work, play and pursue life aspirations across their lifespan.
