Core Function: Research and Evaluation

MYTI (Mississippi Model Youth Transition Innovation)

IDS Staff: Royal Walker, Charles Hughes

Beginning September 2004, the Institute for Disability Studies has served as the local evaluator for the Mississippi Model Youth Transition Innovation (MYTI) Project. MYTI is a national Social Security demonstration project designed to assist young people to become employed through transition interventions from school to work and reduce reliance on public benefits.  The project currently operates in Harrison and Jackson County School Districts. The project is operated by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and is now in its fourth of five years. A yearly evaluation report is compiled from data from project participants, parents, teachers, administrators, and others. For more project information, visit www.myti.org.

Photo:  MYTI Project Retreat, Hattiesburg – February 21 – 23, 2007 Participants included staff from the MYTI project, Marc Gold & Associates, Mississippi Dept. of Rehabilitation Services, the ARC, Harrison and Jackson county schools, and Institute for Disability Studies (the MYTI Project local evaluator).

Mississippi Public Broadcasting

IDS Staff:  Charles Hughes, Jerry Alliston

IDS analyzed the pre- and post-assessments administered by the Right from Birth, Going to School, and Ready to Learn workshops and prepared a summary report. In addition, impact surveys were summarized regarding consumer satisfaction with each workshop.  This was a statewide initiative with over 614 child care providers attending the three types of workshops. For more information about the Mississippi Public Broadcasting programs, visit http://www.mpbonline.org/kids_parents/main.htm.

Mississippi Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

IDS Staff:  Roy Hart

IDS is assisting the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) with the implementation of the state’s pilot Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The ADRC initiative supports state efforts to develop “one-stop shop” programs at the community level that will help people make informed decisions about their service and support options and serve as the entry point to the long-term support system. ADRCs are working towards the goal of serving all individuals with long-term care needs regardless of their age or disability.

IDS is conducting a process evaluation of the project’s implementation, gathering baseline data, and establishing outcome indicators for the project.  IDS is assisting DAAS with addressing minimum data set and semi-annual reporting requirements of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Administration on Aging  (AOA) as described by the Lewin Group (national technical assistance provider). For more information about ADRC, visit http://www.adrc-tae.org/.

 

 

Photo: IDS staff conduct a focus group of individuals served by the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, Area Agency on Aging to gather information to support the implementation of the Aging and Disability Resource Center. 

 

Analysis of Housing and Community Support in the Mississippi Delta (FANNIE MAE)

IDS Staff: Royal Walker, Roy Hart

The initial phase of the project is focused upon the housing needs of persons with disabilities who reside in the Delta region and the capacity of the region to meet those needs. The goals of the research are to identify barriers to home ownership for people with disabilities that are pervasive and sometimes unique to the Delta.  Drawing upon expertise in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities across the lifespan, housing, and community support; IDS is working with local partners using a community-based research approach. The research strategy may include analysis of secondary data and collection of data through surveys, focus groups, and interviews.  IDS will identify appropriate stakeholders and key informants to ensure the validity and acceptability of findings in the community. Subsequent to the initial research, IDS will seek additional funding to address barriers to home ownership through the placement of a Home of Your Own program in the Delta.