Intersect for Ability is a collaborative network of multiple agencies serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages. The collaborating Intersect agencies come together in partnership with The Coleman Foundation for the purpose of moving the industry/community services forward by developing, carrying out, and finding ways to sustain cutting edge programs which increase opportunities and improve quality of life for the people they serve.
Autism
The Autism CoP has focused on autism training for Intersect agency staff. It has hosted virtual training opportunities on Autism 101 and Proactive Behavior Supports and continues to develop additional opportunities. This group aims to include self-advocates in its meetings and decisions.
Clinical
Clinical CoP members share resources, network, train, and solve problems to enhance current clinical practices throughout their agencies. Together, they work through challenges with IMPACT and trauma-informed care, explore topics and initiatives related to licensing, training, billing, sex education, intern recruitment, and more, and aim to educate the non-I/DD clinical student community about what we do.
Community Day Services
Committee members engage in joint activities, shared resources, common experiences, and discussions to advance best practices within Community Day Services Programs in Illinois.
Development
The Development CoP gathers to share ideas and best practices on planned giving, family involvement, year-end giving, marketing, and public relations. It focuses on social media engagement, ways to improve donor retention and stewardship, and agency use of technology and AI.
Employment
The Employment CoP shares best practices and tackles challenges and solutions openly in the spirit of improving employment services across Intersect organizations and the State.
Home-Based
The HBS CoP connects dedicated members working together to assist our individuals served and their families in fully utilizing the benefits of awarded waiver services and optimizing communication and collaboration between employers, workers, families, and service coordination.
Human Resources
The HR CoP members collaborate to share resources and best practices related to policy, regulations, and responsiveness to current workforce challenges.
Quality Assurance
This group is dedicated to sharing resources and ideas to ensure compliance while staying current on changes to the rules and regulatory requirements. It aims to provide quality initiatives, practices, and systems in Intersect organizations.
Residential
The Residential CoP has prioritized regulatory compliance and strategies for improving organizational quality. It shares information about recruitment and retention as it addresses residential staff shortages, educates members new to group living, and emphasizes HCBS compliance and survey preparation.
Training
The Training CoP seeks to support one another in creating sustainable practices for ongoing staff development initiatives and to aid trainers in meeting and exceeding best practices.