Innovation Pilot Project Webinars

 The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services would like to cordially invite all stakeholders to join a series of webinars over the next few weeks where system regional pilot projects will be shared. Implementation of these projects has begun! With that in mind, BDDS is excited to share more information about these projects.

In the summer of 2022, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services announced the Innovation Pilot Project grant initiative to provide opportunities for home and community-based services waiver providers, non-provider community entities, self-advocates and families to explore new means and methods to support and address areas of outstanding need among Hoosiers receiving services from the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services. These projects were made possible due to the American Rescue Plan Act funds Indiana received and are specifically targeted at improving services and supports for individuals with disabilities and their families. Approved projects fall into these general categories: supporting those that support, support through technology, community partnership/community change, information/skills for individuals, and exploring current models of services and payment.

Please click here to join the webinar at the scheduled day/time. You can join any or all of the events with this same link. Additionally, all sessions will be recorded and available to view at a later date. During the webinar, grantees will share specific information about their particular project, which will include how these could impact individuals and stakeholders, who they are partnering with, how you can get more involved, the possibility of joining a pilot, options of taking surveys and timelines of implementation.

Listed below are the dates and times of the webinars along with the name of the entities who will be presenting their project on that particular day, and a general descriptor of their project. All times are EST.

• Monday, May 1, 10-11 a.m.:
• Night Owl Support Systems—remote supports technology and education
• Keys for Success, LLC—group music therapy and community events
• Resounding Joy—virtual music therapy                  

• Wednesday, May 3, 10-11 a.m.:
• Abby Key Consulting—behavioral care training for caregivers
• Hillcroft Services—technology independence
• Dungarvin—hosted shared living
• New Star—shared living companion model      

• Monday, May 8, 10-11 a.m.:
• Stone Belt Arc—spiritual support program
• Tendercare—nurse residency program
• The Arc of Greater Boone County—main street employment
• GXO Logistics—logistics employment opportunities

• Wednesday, May 10, 10-11 a.m.:
• Tangram—adult changing stations
• Morning Light/Tangram—hospice and palliative care training
• LEL Home Services—optimizing on-the-job training techniques
• Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana—value-based approach to residential habilitative services

• Tuesday, May 16, 10-11 a.m.:
• EGTI—manufacturing employment training with Allison Transmission
• New Horizons Rehabilitation—peer supports
• SafeinHome—remote supports on the FSW waitlist    
• Wabash Center—DSP mental health toolkit                  

• Friday, May 19, 10-11 a.m.:
• Insights/ViaQuest—new approaches to behavioral supports service delivery
• Kestrel Behavioral Health— best practice for level 1 supervision in behavioral supports
• StationMD—specialized telehealth and complex case support
• Optimal Rhythms— communication skills training        

• Tuesday, May 23, 10-11 a.m.:
• Booth & Company—using and developing strengths and advocating for supports
• IPMG—employment training materials for case managers
• REACH Columbus—employment training
• SIRS—support for transition age youth         

• Wednesday, May 24, 10-11 a.m.
• Pure Abilities—PEERS social skills for ages 18 and up
• LOGAN Community Resources—Evaluation of PEERS social skills
• Volunteers of America Mid-States—community connections
• Indiana Family to Family—outreach, communication and engagement

• Thursday, June 1, 10-11 a.m.:
• Sycamore Rehabilitation Services—smart home technology; virtual reality training for DSPs
• Connections Case Management—resource fairs; welcome to the waiver manual

• Monday, June 5, 10-1 a.m.:
• Development Services Inc.—value-based payments for employment outcomes
• Advocacy Links Resource and Advocacy Center—purposeful life and community engagement (PLACE)
• Easterseals Crossroads—inclusion through community access
• The Arc of Evansville—PEERS social skills for ages 10-17

• Tuesday, June 6, 10-11 a.m.:
• CommuniCare Health Services—telehealth services and supports
• HANDS in Autism—assessment of waitlist needs; coaching/mentoring the workforce
• Merry Juerling/Balanced Cents Financial Coaching—personal financial education

BDDS has created a specific webpage dedicated to the IPP projects. Each grantee is creating at one-page description of their project. Please visit the webpage BDDS Innovation Pilot Projects for more information as one-pagers and additional details are added.

We look forward to seeing the positive impacts these pilots will have in the lives of Hoosiers with disabilities, their families, and those who support them. We appreciate and value their interest in empowering individuals to live, love, learn, work, play and pursue their dreams.

If you have questions, please contact Jessica Harlan-York, COO with DDRS, at jessica.harlan-york@fssa.in.gov.