Optimizing the Home Environment for Children with Disabilities: Understanding Policies and Planning for the Future

Purpose

Many families of children with disabilities (CWD) lack the equipment and home modifications needed for their children to live safely at home. Even though public programs such as Medicaid provide support for home modifications, families may not qualify or know how to access it. This project will evaluate the current national landscape of programs and policies that promote accessible, adequate, and equitable housing for CWD and their families. The work will include interviews with key informants from 10 states to shed light on current programs and policies, how these programs and policies are being implemented to improve home environments for CWD, and the factors that affect successful implementation. The research team will also develop a proposal for a national convening to create a policy agenda on optimizing the home environment for CWD and their families.