UCEDD National Training Initiative to Support Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities involved with the Juvenile Justice System

The Administration for Community Living through its Administration on Disabilities will award a single five-year grant to an existing University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service or a consortium of UCEDDs led by one primary center to establish a national training initiative focused on strengthening community capacity to support youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are involved in, at risk of entering, or returning from the juvenile justice system. This initiative will function as a national hub for designing and delivering culturally competent, person-centered, and interdisciplinary training programs tailored to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the professionals and systems that serve them. The training curriculum must be developed in direct collaboration with a broad array of stakeholders including Protection and Advocacy organizations, juvenile justice personnel, education and child welfare representatives, mental health providers, workforce development entities, racial justice advocates, and most importantly, youth with disabilities and their families who have lived experience within the system. The grant aims to ensure that all training materials and delivery methods are rooted in equity, inclusion, and systemic change, with a clear emphasis on addressing racial and ethnic disparities that disproportionately impact youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the juvenile justice system. Partnerships will be central to the initiative’s success, requiring active, ongoing engagement with community-based organizations and advocacy groups to guarantee that training is not only evidence-based but also responsive to local needs and cultural contexts. The selected recipient will be responsible for scaling effective practices nationwide, evaluating outcomes, building sustainable networks, and ensuring that the knowledge gained is widely accessible and actionable for practitioners across multiple sectors. All activities must align with the mission of promoting independence, inclusion, and dignity for individuals with developmental disabilities and supporting their successful transition into and participation in community life beyond confinement or systemic involvement.