Tools You Can Use

Training Needs of Professionals who Serve People with I/DD

The Arc is pleased to acknowledge the following organizations that contributed to the development of the family support focus groups supported through the Family Support Research and Training Center. We are privileged and thankful to have worked with these innovative organizations and unsurpassed leaders who care deeply about ensuring that all families have access to needed supports and services.

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • The Arc of Baltimore
  • The Arc of Indiana
  • The Arc of Palm Beach County

This publication was developed through a subcontract with the University of Illinois at Chicago and made possible by grant number 90RT5032-05 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living (US DHHS/ACL) and its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the US DHHS/ACL. Suggested citation: The Arc (2019). Training Needs of Professionals who Serve People with I/DD and Mental Health Needs and their Families. Washington, D.C.: Author.

Up to 40% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience co-occurring mental illness. Despite the prevalence of mental health needs among people with I/DD, little is known about the best approaches for supporting the needs of people with I/DD and co-occurring mental health challenges and their families. This uncertainty has led to the dependence on outdated and potentially bad approaches to mental health care, such as seclusion, restraint, and psychotropics, which may cause individuals with dual diagnosis an increase in their struggles with poor mental health, as well as a lack of family support resources and services available for people and their families.

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