Research

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Developmental Disabilities Network Journal is an open-source academic journal focused on rigorous scholarship about disability systems and the value and impact of the Developmental Disabilities network.

DDNJ Page

Research Centers at the IDRPP

Two student researchers stand next to a research presentation board and speak with a legislative representative.

Center for Mental Health Promotion

The Center for Mental Health Promotion (CMHP), housed within the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice seeks to promote the mental health and well-being of individuals with disabilities through high-quality, community-engaged research, training, and technical assistance. The CMHP’s services reach a wide audience, including self-advocates, family members, para-professionals, and professionals across Utah and the United States.

CMHP Website

Center for Employment and Inclusion

The Center for Employment and Inclusion (CEI) is committed to empowering professionals with high-quality training and support that fosters successful outcomes and equal opportunity. The CEI conducts and utilizes current research to develop training, guidance, and progress monitoring for disability service providers. Explore our selection of interactive courses, webinars, and support tools designed to build essential skills, share best practices, and promote integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

CEI Website

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Tailored Research, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement (TRECI)

Tailored Research, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement (TRECI), is housed at the Institute of Disability, Research, Policy, and Practice at Utah State University. TRECI offers a unique blend of consulting and program services for researchers, professors, project coordinators, and community-based service providers in designing the right quality improvement, evaluation, and research approaches for their work. We help guide our clients from inception to completion and cater our services to our client’s needs, resulting in collaborative, effective, data-driven partnerships.

TRECI Webpage

Grants & Publications Fiscal Year 2027

IDRPP Grants or Contracts Funded

Bolded names are researchers part of the Institute for Disability Reseach, Policy & Practice.

Remund, C . (PI), Snyder, A. (Co-I). Employment Training Curriculum and Mentoring Training: UDHHS Division of Services for People with Disabilities. $1,174,748.02 (5 Years).

Bhattashali, A. (PI), Juhasz, A. (Co-I), & Goodridge, W. (Co-I). (2026). Nurturing Emotional Skills Together (NEST): Integrating AI into a Pilot Pyramid Model Training for Parents. IDRPP Catalyst. $9,997 (6 mo).

Peer Reviewed Publications in Press

Bhattashali, A., Cheatham, G., & Adams, N.B. (2026). Intersectionality in Family-Professional Partnerships Among Refugee Families and Early Educators. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214261468034

Levin, M.E., Aller, T.B., Kelley, H.H., Klimczak, K. & Covington, B. (2026). Preliminary examination of associations between psychological flexibility processes of change and quality of life in digital acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults. Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Riesen, T., Snyder, A., Juhasz, A., & Bhattashali, A. (2026). A review and synthesis of customized employment research. Journal of Rehabilitation, 92(2), 5-20.

Active Research & Evaluation Projects

Project Name	Primary Investigator	Co-Investigators
Collaboratory Focus Group Analysis	Alyson Ward	n/a
Collaboratory Updated Evaluation Plan	Alyson Ward	n/a
Customized Employment Disposition Study	Tim Riesen	n/a
Cusomized Employment Research Study	Tim Riesen	Audrey Juhasz
Dementia Resource Ambassadors Webinar Evaluation	Heather Kelley	n/a
EMBRACE: ACT for Caregivers 6 Week Waitlist Survey	Ty Aller	Heather Kelley
EMBRACE: ACT for Caregivers Baseline Survey	Ty Aller	Heather Kelley
EMBRACE: ACT for Caregivers Informed Consent	Ty Aller	Heather Kelley
EMBRACE: ACT for Caregivers Screener Survey	Ty Aller	Heather Kelley
NCADEMI LEA/SEA Digital Accessibility Survey	n/a	Alyson Ward
NCADEMI-TRECI Policy Scan Analysis	n/a	Alyson Ward
NCADEMI-TRECI SEA/LEA Digital Accessibility Survey Dissemination Plan	n/a	Alyson Ward
Nurturing Emotional Skills Together (NEST): Integrating AI into a Pilot Program Model Training for Parents
SWITCIE Secondary Analysis	Tim Riesen	Audrey Juhasz