IIACC 2022-2023 Annual Report

The IIACC Annual Report for 2022-2023 is Now Published!

The Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (IIACC) has released its annual report, which offers a comprehensive look back at the previous year. The report covers the actions taken by the IIACC, research updates, and plans for the upcoming year 2024. This is an excellent read to get a snapshot of all the progress made this year.

Explore the past IIACC reports to see how our research and data have helped individuals with ASD, their families, and professionals.

IIACC December 2023 Meeting Summary

The IIACC December 2023 meeting marked a pivotal moment as members actively engaged in creating the IIACC 2024 Vision Board. This dynamic session involved exploring areas such as the continuation of positive aspects within IIACC, improving meeting structures for enhanced engagement, and determining ways to make meetings supportive and inclusive. The collaborative effort also addressed methods for engaging members and identified specific groups, like first responders, to be involved in future sessions.

Key initiatives emerged, including the development of IIACC resources such as safety plans and toolkits, addressing barriers to insurance access, and exploring the intersection of sexual violence and individuals with developmental disabilities. To foster ongoing progress, the council proposed various activities, such as interactive vision board workshops, an inclusive resource hub, and cross-council collaborations. Success stories, virtual networking events, and regular Cadre meetings were suggested to further enhance member engagement and collaboration. The meeting also featured key takeaways, including mental health first aid training for police throughout the state, community connections, and updates from stakeholders like The Arc, emphasizing their commitment to providing resources and opportunities for the community.

As a result, the IIACC envisions a transformative and inclusive process, utilizing creative ideas to ensure impactful initiatives and sustained progress in the pursuit of its goals.

Beth Shepperd, December 2023 DISI Award Winner

Congratulations to Beth Shepperd for receiving the most recent Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) Award! This award is given to an individual, agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs and/or services in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/I53ZYrhCtD8.

Beth Shepperd is the Director of Special Education at Plainfield Community School Corporation. Her roles have included classroom teacher, Early Childhood Coordinator, assistant Director of Special Education, and the Director of Special Education.

In March of 2019, Beth Shepperd was the recipient of the Starfish Award from the Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students (PATINS). This award recognizes educators who go above and beyond to meet the needs of students through Universal Design for Learning, and implementation of accessible educational materials and assistive technology.

Beth was honored for her outstanding work on the QuakerBrake Food Truck project. This initiative is a fantastic vocational opportunity for Plainfield Life Skills Program high school students. Through this program, students have the opportunity to learn crucial vocational skills while making a positive impact on their community.

IIACC September 2023 Meeting Summary

The September 2023 IIACC meeting covered various topics related to autism awareness, engagement, and innovative service implementation. The meeting was focused on Goal 5 (Successful Youth Transition to Adult Services, Work, and Independence) and Goal 6 (Adequate Equitable Access to Resources, Funding, Inclusive Community, and Basic Living Conditions to Meet Quality of Life Outcomes). We also walked through the IIACC Engagement and Autism Engagement Network (AEN) Updates, the presentation of the Driver of Innovative Service in Implementation (DISI) award, the New Star Services Innovative Pilot Project about creating a Shared Living Companion Model, and a discussion around the goals.

Indiana’s plan to improve conditions for those with autism has been outlined in the Indiana State Comprehensive Plan for Individuals with ASD. Learn more about the Indiana Comprehensive Plan.

June 2023 Meeting Summary

We had a great quarterly Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (IIACC) virtual meeting on June 1st, 2023. In this quarterly meeting, our community engagement approach gave us a chance to dive deep into goals 3 (Early and Continuous Screening) & 4 (Access to Diverse Services). During the session, several providers, caregivers, and individuals came together to discuss these goal areas and suggested some brilliant initiatives to move forward towards achieving these goals. Together we can support individuals with ASD in the state of Indiana and expand our knowledge base to equip ourselves with better resources to improve the services that are provided. 

 

Indiana’s plan to improve conditions for those with autism has been outlined in the Indiana State Comprehensive Plan for Individuals with ASD. Learn more about the Indiana Comprehensive Plan.