IDEAL Program

IDEAL Program is sponsored by Georgia State University Center for Leadership in Disability. An inclusive post-secondary program for students with mild intellectual disabilities, offering academic, social, and career experiences.

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ToolKit Empowering People with Disabilities The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) has been a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in the Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development and the School of Public Health at Georgia State since 2008.

CLD translates research into sustainable community practices that contribute to independent, self-determined, inclusive and productive lives for people with disabilities and their families. One in four Americans has a disability. People with disabilities have less access to health, education, and other important resources.

The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) is one of 68 University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) programs in the country funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.

CLD serves as the home of the Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities program (GaLEND), the Georgia Statewide Disability & Health Program, the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health (GA-AIMH), the Georgia Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium (GAIPSEC), the GSU IDEAL Program, and other initiatives. One in four Americans has a disability.

People with disabilities have less access to health, education, and other important resources. CLD seeks to improve its access by empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and communities. Whether you are a professional, organization or community member, we offer a variety of trainings on advocacy, inclusivity, youth mental health first aid, and more.

See what our partners are doing to create inclusive environments and find out how you can partner with us. The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) leads research opportunities for students, post-grads and professionals. The Center for Leadership in Disability is developing future leaders who have perspective and are equipped to provide culturally competent and family-centered care to children and their families.

Learn about the programs and courses we offer at Georgia State. WE OFFER STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH CONCEPTS AND METHODS THROUGH THE LENS OF DISABILITY EQUITY . Protect Disability Research, Training, and Services: Support UCEDD Funding The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University is one of 68 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs).

For over 50 years, UCEDDs have provided essential research, training, and services to people with disabilities and their families across every U.S. state and territory, supporting them to live, learn, work, and thrive. We are deeply concerned about the proposed federal budget cuts that would eliminate UCEDD funding.

The core grant we receive from the Administration for Community Living primarily supports our administrative operations, and allows us to leverage more funding to: Conduct research to develop and evaluate disability policies, programs, and services Train professionals and families with evidence-based tools Provide inclusive education, health, and employment programs Lead community outreach and information dissemination efforts Drive systems change through state and local partnerships UCEDD funding cuts will lead to the loss of critical health research, early intervention, leadership development, and community outreach programs for disabled people throughout Georgia.

We have also seen a proposal to redistribute federal funding that previously supported UCEDDs into large grants to states to promote independent living. This action would weaken Georgia’s ability to conduct important disability research, training, and systems-level policy work and affect the ways our state’s Centers for Independent Living provide direct, community-based services.

We urge community members, advocates, and policymakers to speak out in support of continued funding for UCEDDs. The future of inclusive, equitable services for Georgians with disabilities depends on it.

Since 2008, CLD has had the mission of translating research into sustainable community practices that improve the lives of Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through interdisciplinary training, community service, research, and information dissemination. CLD’s historical impact across these core functions can be described as impressive.

Our activities have positively affected thousands of individuals and hundreds of specific locations (e.g., homes, classrooms, childcare settings, community-at-large, etc.) across Georgia annually. This accomplishment speaks to partnership—with project participants and their families, service and support providers, community programs, and state agencies.

Our history has shown that with the proper support, people will engage in health promotion, disparities can be reduced; infant mental health will improve through thoughtful engagement of the provider community; students, including those with autism, will receive individualized behavior supports in their schools; and individuals will become more independent in the social domain and more engaged in decision making and policy.

These are, in essence, the reason and purpose for UCEDDs and LENDs. Our 2024 report, Stories of Impact , provides selected examples of program impact. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health The essentials of IECMH are beautifully explained in this new GEEARS-produced video , featuring Callan Wells and other GEEARS partners such as Georgia Representative Katie Dempsey , and Georgia DECAL Commissioner, Amy Jacobs .

Watch the video to learn about. . .

The behavioral science and neuroscience behind IECMH. The importance of addressing early childhood trauma right after it happens and building capacity for services like caregiver-child therapy. The formation of the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health (GA-AIMH) .

How GEEARS advocacy has substantively impacted Georgia’s IECMH policies. The goal is to normalize infant and early childhood mental healthcare, making it as valued as pediatric well visits and vision and hearing screenings. Read The Center for Leadership in Disability's statement against systemic racism.

Center for Leadership in Disability The health and wellness of our staff, partners, and the people we serve is our number one priority. As the rapidly changing pandemic situation continues, we encourage you to check this page frequently for updates, important information, and resources. COVID-19 INFO, NEWS & RESOURCES We value your feedback.

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