ANNUAL REPORT
FY 23
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS
ABOUT OSUCDD
OUR MISSION
The Center for Developmental Disabilities learns from and works alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their family members to enhance the quality of life for all.
OUR OBJECTIVES
Provide education and training to students, professionals, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and family members.
Promote social and community inclusion by increasing opportunities for mutually beneficial relationships between individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding the inherent value, complexities, and diversity of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their family members.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
OKLAHOMA NATIONAL CORE INDICATORS
Since 2013, our team has contracted with Oklahoma Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) to collect the National Core Indicators (NCI) data for the state of Oklahoma. NCI represents a national effort to measure and improve the performance of state developmental disabilities service systems.
In FY23, our team of undergraduate and graduate research assistants collected In-Person Survey data from 400 individuals receiving DDS services and Family Survey data from 367 families. In FY23, we expanded our contract with DDS to collect the NCI State of the Workforce survey. The State of the Workforce Survey is completed by representatives of provider agencies across the state to learn more about the wages, benefits and concerns of the professional direct care workforce supporting individuals receiving DDS services. In FY23, our team collected State of the Workforce Survey data from 42 agencies across the state.
SPEARS BUSINESS PUBLIC IMPACT RESEARCH INITIATION (PIRI) GRANT
In FY23, our team collaborated with faculty in the OSU Spears School of Business to advance interdisciplinary understanding of home technology usage among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Competitive internal grant funding secured through the OSU Spears Business Public Impact Research Initiation (PIRI) allowed our team of faculty researchers and graduate students to complete an exhaustive literature review and conduct grounded theory analysis of qualitative data collected in FY22 as part of a previous OSUCDD project. Findings from this project were presented at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in June 2023.
OPPORTUNITY ORANGE SCHOLARS
Opportunity Orange Scholars (OOS) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a full-time, on-campus certificate program for students with intellectual disability. Building on the land-grant mission to make college education more accessible and inclusive, this academic program provides learning opportunities and individualized supports across four program cornerstones: 1) academic coursework, 2) interdependent living, 3) community engagement and belonging, and 4) career exploration and preparation. Graduates of the program earn an OSU certificate in Career and Community Studies.
FY23 marked a big year in the development and launching of OOS on the Stillwater campus. In August 2022, OOS received approval as a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Education Program (CTP) by the U.S. Department of Education, and welcomed the first cohort of students to campus.
The support of many internal and external stakeholders is crucial to the ongoing success and growth of Opportunity Orange Scholars. We are grateful to the agencies and organizations providing start-up funding to Opportunity Orange Scholars.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
OSU UNIFIED
Established in Fall 2022, OSU Unified was the first Special Olympics Unified program at an Oklahoma institution of higher education. OSU Unified provides opportunities for adult Special Olympic Athletes to compete alongside Unified Partners who are OSU students, staff, and faculty in a wide variety of sporting events hosted by OSU Intramurals. OSU Unified is a collaboration between OSUCDD, OSU Unified Sports Club, and OSU Department of Wellness.
In FY23, OSU Unified hosted more than 75 Athletes and Partners on-campus. Athletes and Partners participated in seven tournaments, including cornhole, bowling, bocce, and four six-week leagues, including flag football, basketball, volleyball, and kickball.
BOOK CLUBS
Thanks to a team of dedicated community volunteers, OSUCDD continues to organize and host Next Chapter Book Clubs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and community members. In FY23, book clubs met online once a week to read, learn, and develop relationships with other club members.
TRANSLATION AND EDUCATION
SELF-DETERMINATION TRAINING STUDENT TRAINING
OSUCDD provides training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn the skills needed to enhance self-awareness and self-determination. Facilitators lead participants through a series of lessons designed to develop the skills necessary to set and achieve their personal goals. In FY23, 8 adults with intellectual disability participated in group trainings either virtually or in-person on the OSU campus.
OSUCDD provides internship and research practicum opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain real world experience and knowledge under the direct supervision of Center leadership. In FY23, OSUCDD trained 33 students in best practices for supporting and working alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
OSUCDD is committed to capturing the benefits of community-engaged research and programs conducted alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In FY23, Center team members gave 9 presentations and authored 7 publications.
Research $379,606 Community Engagement and Outreach $154,690 Academic Programs $248,079 Research 48.5% AcademicPrograms 31.7% CommunityEngagement&Outreach 19.8% FINANCIALS FY23 Funding: $782,375
OSUCDD TEAM
Graduate Research Assistant(s)
Undergraduate Research Assistant(s) Research Intern(s)
Kacey Ward, MS
Kami Gallus, PhD
Jennifer Jones, PhD
OOS Graduate Assistant(s)
OOS Intern(s)
Emily Tucker, PhD
OOS Undergraduate Partners
Program Manager
Erica Still Program Coordinator
Director Associate Director
Garrett Jones Admin Support Specialist
- Program Partners
- Residential Partners
Program Director, OOS
Liz Thomas Project Coordinator, OOS
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
tal-disabilities
tal Disabilities are united by a common theme - fostering families and communities where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience true belonging.
Built on the core belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity and everyone benefits from inclusion and belonging, the Center for Developmental Disabilities equips students and professionals to become agents of change alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
