NTI Interdisciplinary Training: Childhood Obesity

A specific goal is to create awareness of disparities experienced by the IDD population related to healthy weight, and promote inclusion of children and adults with IDD, family members and caregivers in the decision-making processes. To that end, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), Administration on Disabilities (AOD), Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the availability of Fiscal Year 2018 funds to award one grant of $280,000 per year for a three year interdisciplinary training program. The overall objective is for the national network of University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UCEDD)s to expand their Interdisciplinary training aimed at clinicians and other providers to include effective methods for assessing obesity in children with disabilities including children with I/DD, and providing tailored evidence- based preventive and treatment approaches that promote attainment of healthy weight.Currently, there is a paucity of research- based training programs in the UCEDD network, available to clinicians and providers on effective methods assessing obesity in children with I/DD and employing evidence based treatment and interventions to promote healthy family lifestyles and prevent overweight among young children with disabilities including children with IDD, planning and approaches; behavioral therapy; and family, nonfamily early care nutrition programs.