UMKC Institute for Human Development

UMKC Institute for Human Development UMKC-IHD builds partnerships that lead to effective social change.

📣Something new is coming to communities across Missouri. Missouri’s No Wrong Door Link and Learn Series is bringing part...
09/03/2026

đź“ŁSomething new is coming to communities across Missouri.

Missouri’s No Wrong Door Link and Learn Series is bringing partners together to Enhance Person-Centered Supports Across the Lifespan, featuring UMKC Institute for Human Development’s Charting the LifeCourse Nexus.

These full-day, interactive events are an opportunity to:

• Explore practical Charting the LifeCourse tools and strategies
• Connect with local partners across aging, disability and other service systems
• Strengthen person-centered approaches across systems
• Build relationships and identify opportunities for collaboration
• Contribute to a shared vision for person-centered long-term services and supports in Missouri

đź“Ť The series kicks off soon:
Hannibal — Sept. 16
Columbia — Sept. 17

Additional Link and Learn events will be held in St. Joseph, Kansas City, St. Louis, St. Charles, Springfield and Cape Girardeau.

Space is limited. If you support, plan with, advocate alongside or help individuals and families access long-term services and supports, we want you at the table.

👉 For more information and to complete the Regional Link and Learn Interest Form, check out the project page: https://lifecoursenexus.org/mo-no-wrong-door/

👀 Look who's talking!Meet the voices behind this year's Great Conversations event — researchers, practitioners and commu...
09/03/2026

đź‘€ Look who's talking!

Meet the voices behind this year's Great Conversations event — researchers, practitioners and community leaders who are shaping what's possible in early childhood, maternal health, aging, community inclusion, mental health and beyond.

Come chat with:

- Colette Canchola-Cox (Director, Missouri Family to Family)
- Maxine Henry, (Director, Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network Coordinating Office - ATTC NCO)
- Gerardo R Martinez (Director, Alianzas partnership with MU Extension)
- Danielle Chiang, Ph.D (Director, UMKC-IHD Maternal & Child Health Programs -Missouri Maternal Health Action Network - MHAN)
- Skye VanLanduyt, M.A (Lead Trainer, UMKC-IHD WeSaid at the UCEDD)
- Kelli Zerr (Barton), Ph.D. (Director, UMKC-IHD Health & Aging Programs)
- Melissa Newkirk (Director, UMKC IHD Early Childhood Innovation Center)
- Stacie Williams (Senior Training Specialist, LifeCourse Nexus)

On September 18, they'll be leading small-group, dinner-table discussions where you don't just listen — you're part of the conversation.

Tag a friend who needs to meet these folks, and reserve your seat: ihd.umkc.edu/gc

✊ What does it take to become a leader for meaningful change?It starts with knowledge—but it grows through experience, a...
09/01/2026

✊ What does it take to become a leader for meaningful change?

It starts with knowledge—but it grows through experience, advocacy and a commitment to making a difference.

The UMKC Interdisciplinary Leadership in Disability Studies (ILDS) Graduate Certificate is helping prepare the next generation of disability leaders with a new Certified Disability Leadership Professional (CDLP) designation.

The self-paced credential gives students career-focused learning, a way to track their progress and a tangible way to demonstrate specialized knowledge and readiness for leadership in the disability field.

Meet ILDS student Ashley Morency and learn how her personal and professional experiences have shaped her commitment to disability advocacy — and how the ILDS program is helping her turn that commitment into meaningful change.

Read our latest story and learn more about the ILDS program and new CDLP designation: https://ihd.umkc.edu/leadership-for-inclusive-change/

The best conversations happen around the dinner table. On September 18, UMKC-IHD is hosting Great Conversations: bringin...
08/27/2026

The best conversations happen around the dinner table.

On September 18, UMKC-IHD is hosting Great Conversations: bringing together researchers, people with lived experience and community members for an evening of dinner and dialogue.

Come hear what we’re working on. Discover the impact it’s making. And, most importantly, be part of the conversation.

Pull up a seat. 🪑

🎟️ Save yours now: https://ihd.umkc.edu/great-conversations/

The story of IHD is still being written.Before we turn the page to our 50th anniversary, we're taking time to preserve t...
08/25/2026

The story of IHD is still being written.

Before we turn the page to our 50th anniversary, we're taking time to preserve the history that made us who we are.

Whether you worked here, learned with us, partnered alongside us, or found community through IHD, your story is part of ours.

Help us record our history—and write the next chapter together.

➡️ Reconnect with us: umkc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bxRSTRIpceu8Wuq

Since 1977, the world has changed.So has IHD.As new needs emerged and communities evolved, our work grew alongside them—...
08/18/2026

Since 1977, the world has changed.

So has IHD.

As new needs emerged and communities evolved, our work grew alongside them—but our mission has always remained the same: supporting people and building more inclusive communities.

Now we're looking back on nearly 50 years of impact while looking ahead to what's next.
If you've been part of the IHD story, we'd love to reconnect.

➡️ Fill out our reconnect form here: umkc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bxRSTRIpceu8Wuq

🥳 We’re excited to welcome Derrick Willis back to the UMKC Institute for Human Development as the new Associate Director...
08/17/2026

🥳 We’re excited to welcome Derrick Willis back to the UMKC Institute for Human Development as the new Associate Director of Missouri’s UCEDD! 🎉

A Missouri native and longtime disability leader, Derrick brings more than 40 years of experience across state government, higher education, nonprofit organizations and the national UCEDD network—including nearly a decade leading the Iowa UCEDD.

Now, he’s bringing that experience home to help shape the next chapter for Missouri’s UCEDD, strengthen partnerships across the state and advance systems that create greater opportunity and quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.

Welcome back, Derrick! We’re so glad you’re here. 💙

đź”— Learn more about Derrick: https://ihd.umkc.edu/national-disability-leader-returns-to-umkc-ihd-as-ucedd-associate-director/

Association of University Centers on Disabilities

Feel old yet?Some people spent decades at IHD.Some joined us for a single project, class, training, or partnership.Every...
08/11/2026

Feel old yet?

Some people spent decades at IHD.
Some joined us for a single project, class, training, or partnership.
Every chapter mattered.

As we prepare for our 50th anniversary, we're reconnecting with the people who have helped make IHD what it is today.

If our paths crossed at any point over the last five decades, we'd love to hear from you.

➡️Fill out our reconnect form: umkc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bxRSTRIpceu8Wuq

We've come a long way. And we didn't get here alone.For nearly 50 years, thousands of people have been part of the UMKC ...
08/04/2026

We've come a long way. And we didn't get here alone.

For nearly 50 years, thousands of people have been part of the UMKC Institute for Human Development's story—employees, trainees, students, self-advocates, families, researchers, and community partners.

As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary, we're reconnecting with the people who helped shape IHD.

If you've been part of our journey—even for a short time—we'd love to hear from you.

➡️ Complete our reconnect form below and help us celebrate the people behind nearly 50 years of impact.

đź”—Reconnect Form: umkc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bxRSTRIpceu8Wuq

For nearly 50 years, the UMKC Institute for Human Development has grown alongside the communities it serves.What began i...
08/03/2026

For nearly 50 years, the UMKC Institute for Human Development has grown alongside the communities it serves.

What began in 1977 as Missouri's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities has evolved into an institute that partners with individuals, families, communities, and organizations to create a more inclusive world.

As we begin preparing for our 50th anniversary, we're looking back on the people, partnerships, and milestones that have shaped our journey—and we're inviting those who have been part of our story to reconnect.

Read more about our reconnect initiative, why we're launching it, and how you can help us preserve nearly five decades of history.

đź“– Read the story: ihd.umkc.edu/reconnect-with-us/

If IHD has been part of your journey, we'd love to hear from you!

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Kansas City, MO
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