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Description
This capstone project was completed in collaboration with Parkway Ministries in Corbin, Kentucky. My Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) took place in a community-based faith setting and focused on the ACOTE areas of Program Development, Education, and Advocacy. As part of a collaborative project to develop an inclusive Vacation Bible School (VBS) for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), my individual focus was supporting caregivers through education, resource development, and community engagement. A needs assessment and literature review identified caregiver burden, social isolation, limited educational resources, and reduced access to support services as common challenges for caregivers of adults with IDD, particularly in rural communities. To better understand caregiver needs, I incorporated caregiver-specific questions into the event registration form to gather information regarding concerns, accommodations, and desired resources. This information guided event planning and the development of caregiver resources. My primary deliverable was an evidence-based caregiver education brochure, You Are Not Alone, which included caregiver wellness strategies, communication tips, Kentucky waiver information, community resources, crisis contacts, and self-care recommendations. Additional responsibilities included promoting the event through church outreach and a local newspaper advertisement, collaborating with fellow occupational therapy doctoral students and Parkway Ministries, and distributing caregiver resources during the event. Informal post-event conversations with caregivers indicated that the brochure provided valuable information and that participants appreciated the inclusive environment. Caregivers also expressed interest in future events and continued caregiver support.
Graduation Date
5-7-2026
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Degree Type
Book
Site Mentor
Raegan M Wilson
Comments
https://youtu.be/Ay8NmwM2ERo