Policy and Systems Change Team

The VKC UCEDD Policy and Systems Change Team focuses Vanderbilt Kennedy Center resources on local, state, and national disability-related public policy issues. Research findings and the research and clinical expertise of Vanderbilt Kennedy Center faculty, staff, and trainees are made available to inform public policy discussions and legislation.

The Team enlists VKC, Vanderbilt University, community, and state resources to develop a proactive approach to advocating a legislative agenda and policies to support individuals with disabilities and their families. The Team also introduces VKC UCEDD trainees to policy issues. Activities are coordinated with members of the Tennessee Developmental Disability Network.

The Team works closely with the Vanderbilt Office of Neighborhood, Community, and Governmental Relations and the Vanderbilt Federal Office of Governmental Relations. At the beginning of each legislative session, they coordinate with these offices key issues that affect individuals with disabilities and their families in the coming sessions. They also coordinate regular visits and tours of the VKC UCEDD for local, state, and national legislative and congressional members and their staffs. TEAM members participate in public policy events such as the annual Vanderbilt Day on the Hill and the annual Disability Awareness Day with the Tennessee Legislature. Team members serve on national and state public policy and planning committees and task forces.

The Team includes the VKC UCEDD directors, director of dissemination, chair of the Community Advisory Council, and a graduate student trainee with interest in disability public policy.

To learn more about two recent laws that were passed in Tennessee that address Anti-Seizure Medication and Restraint and Isolation in our classrooms, see the “Changes in Schools” section on page 12 of the newsletter of the Disability Law & Advocacy Center, Spotlight.