Evaluating the Effectiveness of Texas’ Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services: A Practical Ideal Type Approach

Date

2017-05

Authors

Hawley, Vanessa M.

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Abstract

Purpose: This research identifies a set of standards for effectiveness and the best practices for delivering intellectual development and developmental disability (ID/DD) services in Texas. It also gauges the effectiveness of the Texas system against these best practice standards. Finally, based on the results, it makes recommendations for Texas to become a more effective state in providing needed services and supports for the ID/DD population. Methodology: Two primary methodologies were employed for this research. Both document analysis and web-based surveys were used to gauge the effectiveness of the current ID/DD services in Texas. Data was collected through the survey method and state forms and documents were examined to identify the successes and challenges of the current ID/DD programs in Texas. Findings: The findings of this research indicate that Texas's ID/DD services are adequately effective. United Cerebral Palsy's Case for Inclusion annual report has Texas listed at the bottom of the state rankings for such programs. The survey results show that individuals working within the program parameters generally feel more positive about the services than the broader national-level perspective. However, given that the satisfaction ratings are higher than anticipated, the findings still show that there are additional areas that need to be improved to further the effectiveness and worth of the state's current ID/DD service practices.

Description

An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Spring 2017.

Keywords

disability services, Texas, effective services, intellectual developmental disabilities, medicaid waivers, Public Administration

Citation

Hawley, V. M. (2017). Evaluating the effectiveness of Texas’ intellectual and developmental disability services: A practical ideal type approach. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.

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