Educating and Training Social Workers to Expand Access to Mental Health Services with the Intellectual Disability Community

Hoskins, Jennifer

Publication

Educating and Training Social Workers to Expand Access to Mental Health Services with the Intellectual Disability Community

Hoskins, Jennifer

Abstract

Persons with intellectual disability (ID) experience higher rates of mental health challenges and face significant barriers to accessing care. Despite this need, inclusive mental health services remain limited, largely due to providers’ hesitancy and lack of training to serve individuals with ID. Social workers, who deliver much of the community-based mental health care, often receive minimal disability-related education. Research indicates both providers and persons with ID identify a need for increased self-determination to improve access to quality care. In response, this capstone project developed a training program for social workers that combines foundational knowledge of the ID experience with the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI)—an evidence-based intervention originally designed for educational settings. This innovative approach repurposes SDLMI to strengthen self-determination among social workers. The training guide incorporates the Active Implementation Frameworks to support long-term use and sustainability. The theory of change guiding this project posits that social workers exposed to targeted ID-specific education and the SDLMI intervention will experience increased self-determination, becoming empowered advocates and agents of change within the mental health system. The ultimate goal is to promote more equitable and inclusive care for persons with ID.