October 16, 2016
There are many options for where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) could live. Some people with IDD may live independently, with other family members after they leave their parents’ home, or in a community-based setting with support. It is important to balance the wishes of the person with IDD and the level of support needed when identifying housing options available in your community.
We will focus on how to explore housing options with an adult with IDD. We will provide tips on important questions to ask the person with IDD about where he or she wants to live when determining housing options. We will also provide guidance on how the family can work with the person with IDD to determine supports needed to and housing preferences.
Speaker Bios
Diane L. Dressler
Diane L. Dressler has worked throughout her 35-year career to create and implement strategies supporting community inclusion for persons with disabilities. Her areas of expertise include supportive housing, transition, workforce development and person-centered practices. Ms. Dressler’s previous work experience includes statewide program management, including the coordination of housing and services, for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration. She also served as Program Director for the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Ms. Dressler is currently a Senior Associate with Community Life Resources (CLR), a consulting practice that provides technical assistance and training to government, service providers, people with disabilities and families on the creation and implementation of permanent supportive housing strategies. Current work includes assistance to the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the Jubilee Association of Maryland. Ms. Dressler serves on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (MAHRA), a chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), and chairs the Disability Advisory Committee. Ms. Dressler also represents the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) on the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force.
Cathy Yadamec
Cathy Yadamec is the Director of Training and Certification for CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. In this role, Cathy coordinates the training opportunities offered by CQL. She oversees the certification of Personal Outcome Measures® Interviewers and Trainers, and is responsible for developing new training opportunities often customizing it to meet the unique strengths and preferences of individual organizations. Cathy has experience within CQL and in private and state agencies supporting people with developmental disabilities to have better lives. Cathy has worked diligently to promote personal and organizational change to create a culture of responsiveness and focus on quality as defined by the person. In the 2000’s Cathy worked with CQL as a Project Manager and in the CMS Look-Behind Contract.
For 3 years, Cathy served as the Manager of Quality Improvement/ Quality Enhancement for the Developmental Disability Administration in the District of Columbia, and then returned to CQL as the Project Manager for the Illinois Ligas Outreach Project. Cathy brings 35 years of well-rounded experience to CQL with strong project management, data, quality assurance and training skills. These skills are match by her ability to meld local experiences with a national perspective. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Missouri and a Masters of Arts degree in Education from the Lindenwood University. Her growing family is very important to her and she relishes the time she spends with her sisters, brothers and especially her great nieces and nephews. She enjoys hiking and spending time wandering around the world.