"It is a busy time at The Hope Institute for Children and Families. Read my blog to learn more about what is happening!"

For more on children with developmental disabilities, visit Dr. Joseph E. Nyre's blog.

Please visit the centers of The Hope Institute for Children and Families by clicking below.

Research Opportunities

The Hope Institute is dedicated to conducting research and engaging in applied projects related to education of students with low incidence disabilities, including students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, moderate to severe cognititve delays, and dual diagnoses.

There are many research opportunities at The Hope Institute. For more information on a particular research area, please contact the indicated Research Group representative.

Education

Current projects include a focus on the concept of Maximum Benefit and the educational model that is derived from it as applied to sudents with low incidence disabilities and applied in a public school setting. In addition, The Hope Institute has been engaged in a long-term classroom and instructional quality initiative, the Educational Excellence initiative, that focuses on improving classroom quality on an individual and school-wide
basis utilizing momentary time-sampling and targeted feedback. For more information on these research opportunities, please contact Lori R. Vallelunga, Ph.D. or Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D.

Disability Providers – Human Resources

The Hope Institute, like many providers of disability services, is constantly seeking a stable and high-quality workforce. Issues related to high turnover rates among social service staff, professional development and training as well as workman’s compensation issues are central to the interests and efforts of The Hope Institute. The Hope Institute has implemented a program that is designed to support staff and facilitate improved
retention. There are opportunities to evaluate this program as well as others. For more information about these opportunities, please contact Judith Bukowski, Ph.D.

Systems and Network Development

The Hope Institute is invested in creating sustainable networks to support the system of care. As a portion of these efforts, The Hope Institute has sought to define a model of system and network engagement that supports the growth of partnerships that lead to greater scoail or policy impact. The Hope Institute is presently conducting research on the Multi-Level System Engagement model which informs many of its clinical service lines, including: The Autism Program of Illinois, The Hope Institute Learning Academy, as well as Noll Medical Pavilion and its partnerships (Children’s Healthcare Partnership, Central Illinois Developmental Disability Dental Advisory Commission).

Opportunities for collaboration and research include evaluation of the MLSE model and its application to Hope’s service lines as well as its overall potential impact on social policy. For more information on potential opportunities, please contact Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D.

Disability and Health Policy

The Hope Institute is conducting policy and clinical work in the areas of disability, especially as it applies to children and healthy policy. Through its Health and Wellness initiatives, The Hope Institute is able to speak with authority in regard to Health policy as it impacts children with special needs and especially children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other low incidence disabilities.

Opportunities include working with The Hope Institute Applied Research Group and policy team to develop, promote and evaluate disability and health policy.