A new initiative by Arc USA and the United Health Foundation will provide resources to support people with developmental disabilities and mental health issues. (St. Petersburg)
Developmental disability advocacy groups across the country are forming multi-million dollar partnerships with major companies in the medical industry to better address co-occurring conditions.
U.S. Arc said it is working with United Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of UnitedHealth Group, to improve the mental health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Under the $2.5 million, three-year agreement, 10 chapters of The Arc will receive $100,000 in grants to establish solutions specifically for people in this population. The initiative includes expanding access to mental health services, strengthening collaboration between disability and health care systems, public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and misconceptions, and providing 2,000 grants to help understand the mental health needs of people with developmental disabilities. This includes training for more than one health care provider and caregiver. Disability, according to The Arc.
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The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of mental health crises experienced by people with developmental disabilities, officials said.
“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities face barriers from the moment they are born, which directly impacts their mental health,” said Katie Neese, CEO of Arc USA . “However, their mental health needs often go unmet due to stigma, lack of training, and stigma. This generous investment by United Health Foundation will help health professionals, caregivers, first responders, and educators. , provides critical training for everyone involved in our community, including families, giving us a path to tackling this mental health crisis head-on.”
As part of the program, grants will go to Arizona, Ark., Loudoun, Ark., Virginia, Macomb County, Ark., Michigan, Mississippi, Ark., Oklahoma, Ark., Oregon, Ark., and Prince George’s County, Ark., Prince George’s County, Ark. Seltomaster Services in Maryland, Ark., RI, St. Louis, Ark., and Illinois.
Meanwhile, Autism Speaks and the American Heart Association have formed another partnership to commit $2 million to research into cardiovascular and brain health in people with autism through predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowship awards. .
“Research shows that people with autism are more likely to have poorer cardiovascular health than the general population. We need to know why and ensure that people with autism have access to the same high-quality care as everyone else,” said Andy Shi, Chief Scientific Officer at Autism Speaks.
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