HOT TOPICS: Medicaid & The Future of Disability Services in Missouri with Sheila Wunning, MO-DMH Division of DD

HOT TOPICS: Medicaid & The Future of Disability Services in Missouri with Sheila Wunning, MO-DMH Division of DD

In this episode, we talk with Sheila Wunning, Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities at the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Sheila has worked in the field of developmental disabilities since 1996, with experience spanning community-based services, targeted case management, behavioral health supports, and state-operated programs. Before entering the developmental disability field, she worked within the criminal justice system and saw firsthand how individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs often became trapped in cycles of incarceration without appropriate supports in place. Her career has included leadership roles at Options for Justice, the St. Louis Office for DD Resources, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health, where she became Division Director in 2025.  In this conversation, we explore recent federal and state Medicaid conversations, how Missouri’s developmental disability system is structured, and what these changes could mean for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), families, providers, and communities. Sheila also shares insights from her experience across systems and discusses the importance of home- and community-based services, early intervention, and cross-system collaboration.  Takeaways:  * Missouri’s Division of Developmental Disabilities supports approximately 44,000 individuals through a combination of home- and community-based services, targeted case management, crisis supports, and state-operated programs.  * Medicaid plays a critical role in funding services and supports for individuals with IDD, including home- and community-based services that help people live independently in their communities.  * Common misconceptions about Medicaid often overlook the complexity of disability services and the importance of long-term supports for individuals and families.  * Community-based services can help prevent unnecessary hospitalization, institutionalization, and involvement with the criminal justice system.  * Individuals with IDD and co-occurring behavioral health needs often face gaps in services that require stronger collaboration across disability, behavioral health, healthcare, and justice systems.  * Early intervention, crisis stabilization, and proactive supports can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with complex needs.  * Innovation within Missouri’s developmental disability system includes expanded crisis response efforts, psychiatric stabilization supports, and partnerships across agencies and providers.  Resources in this episode:  Missouri Department of Mental Health – Division of Developmental Disabilities Website: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities [https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities]  Learn more about Missouri’s Home and Community Based Services: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/service-providers/hcbs-info [https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/service-providers/hcbs-info]  Missouri Department of Mental Health Website: https://dmh.mo.gov/ [https://dmh.mo.gov/]  DDD Weekly Newsletter Blast - Link to subscribe: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/IZJqgUz [https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/IZJqgUz]  Acronym Guide:  HCBS: Home- and Community-Based Services  IDD: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities  ICF/IID: Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities  DD: Developmental Disabilities  DMH: Department of Mental Health  TCM: Targeted Case Management  HUD: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  Interview Transcript: ihd.umkc.edu/products  For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

HOT TOPICS: Show Me Special Education with Mark Wheatley, DESE

Our guest today is Mark Wheatley, Assistant Commissioner of Special Education at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Mark began his career as a physical education teacher and elementary principal before transitioning into special education, where he served as an adaptive PE teacher and administrator in Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. He brings a systems-level perspective shaped by both classroom and statewide leadership experience. In this conversation, we explore how special education policy translates into practice, what current federal conversations mean (and don’t mean) for Missouri, and how the state is rethinking long-standing systems to better support students with disabilities—particularly through a shift toward more inclusive practices. Takeaways: • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) continues to anchor special education services, guaranteeing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. • Federal changes may create uncertainty, but state responsibilities and expectations for serving students remain consistent. • Inclusion requires more than placement—it depends on strong collaboration between general and special educators. • Missouri’s “MSSD Reimagined” effort reflects a broader shift away from separate settings toward more inclusive, community-based education. • Decisions about services and placement are made by IEP teams, with families playing a central role. • Clear communication and accessible information are critical for helping families navigate complex systems and ongoing changes Resources in this episode: • Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Website: https://dese.mo.gov/ • For more information on the IDEA: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ • For more information on Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD): https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/missouri-schools-severely-disabled Acronym Guide: LEA: Local Education Agency IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ESN: Extensive Support Needs MSSD: Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Interview Transcript: ihd.umkc.edu/products For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

HOT TOPICS: Federal Changes to Special Education with Robyn Linscott, The Arc of the US

In this conversation, we speak with Robyn Linscott, Director of Education & Family Policy at The Arc of the United States. Drawing on her experience as a special education teacher, Capitol Hill staffer, and advocate, Robyn offers a national perspective on how federal policy shapes special education across the country. She explains the role of the federal government in funding, enforcement, and oversight through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and breaks down what recent federal changes—particularly within the U.S. Department of Education—could mean for students with disabilities, families, and educators. The conversation explores the disconnect between policy and classroom realities, the strain on school systems due to chronic underfunding, and the uncertainty created by shifting federal priorities. Robyn emphasizes the importance of maintaining federal protections while encouraging advocacy at every level to ensure students with disabilities continue to receive the supports they need. Takeaways: * The federal government’s role in special education centers on funding, enforcement, and oversight—not day-to-day school operations. * IDEA guarantees students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education, but it has never been fully funded as originally intended. * Underfunding creates significant pressure on school districts, educators, and service providers. * There is often a disconnect between policymakers and classroom realities, highlighting the need for lived experience in policy spaces. * Changes within the U.S. Department of Education—especially around staffing and enforcement—can create uncertainty and instability at the local level. * Enforcement mechanisms, like federal oversight and the Office for Civil Rights, are critical for protecting student rights. * School systems are often forced to meet minimum legal requirements rather than optimal supports due to limited resources. * Advocacy at all levels—from federal policy to local school boards—plays a key role in protecting and strengthening special education systems. Resources in this episode: * The Arc of the United States: https://thearc.org/ * The Arc Advocacy Center (Take Action): https://thearc.org/take-action/ * IDEA Overview: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ * OSEP State Determinations: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/spp-apr/ Acronym Guide: UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IEP: Individualized Education Program OSEP: Office of Special Education Programs OCR: Office for Civil Rights Interview Transcript: ihd.umkc.edu/products For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

Next Gen Leaders: Mizzou’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program [Student Showcase: Part 2]

Part 2 of our LEND Student Showcase continues! George and Amelia hear from two more student teams who are tackling challenges for individuals with disabilities in Missouri through research, advocacy, and partnership-building. Listen and learn from Missouri’s next generation of disability leaders! Featured Projects: Charting the Transition - Examining resources and barriers for young adults transitioning from high school to adulthood. - Students discuss how data collection and community engagement inform advocacy and system improvements. Team Members: Katie Hough (social work) Lucy O’Connor (occupational therapy) Becca Waligurski (physical therapy) and Jackson Wiley (self-advocacy) Show Me the Gaps: Service Deserts in Missouri - Identifying “service deserts” where critical supports for individuals with disabilities are lacking. - Students share insights on fostering partnerships and addressing systemic gaps in services. Highlights: • Explore how local data can drive advocacy and policy change. • Learn about the challenges families face in accessing services. • See how LEND trainees translate research into meaningful community impact. Team Members: Nick Kanne (psychology) Tandy Korte (developmental behavioral pediatrics) Maddy McCully (speech language pathology) Paula Sims (family advocacy) Resources in this episode: - Missouri Association of County Developmental Disability Services (MACDDS): https://macdds.org/ - Learn more about Mizzou’s TIPS for Kids program: https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/tips4kids/ Acronym Guide: MACDDS: Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/ For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ihd.umkc.edu

Next Gen Leaders: Mizzou’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program [Student Showcase: Part 1]

Join us for Part 1 of our LEND Student Showcase, where trainees in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program share their community leadership projects. George and Amelia sit down with two student teams to explore how their projects are making a real difference in Missouri communities. Listen and learn from Missouri’s next generation of disability leaders!    Featured Projects:  Boone County Family Resources – 50th Anniversary Party  - Celebrating 50 years of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in Boone County.  - Students discuss what they learned about community-building, event planning, and the impact of BCFR on families and local partners.  Team Members: Angela Lopez (speech language pathology) Bailey McCuddin (occupational therapy) Ali Safris (physical therapy)  Caregiver Connections Support Group  - Creating an online resource hub to simplify access to caregiver resources and reduce information overload.  - Students share lessons learned about systemic barriers, resource accessibility, and the importance of user-friendly design.  Team Members: Maya Broshears (occupational therapy), Ellie Moloney (physical therapy) Anna Scheperle (speech language pathology)Takeaways:  * Hear how BCFR has transformed lives since 1976.  * Discover the gaps families face in navigating support systems.  * Learn how LEND trainees apply leadership skills to real-world community challenges.  Resources in this episode:  * Boone County Family Resources: www.bcfr.org [http://www.bcfr.org/]   * Follow the Thompson Center on Facebook to learn about Caregiver Connections events: https://www.facebook.com/TheThompsonCenter [https://www.facebook.com/TheThompsonCenter]  * Learn more about Mizzou’s TIPS for Kids program: https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/tips4kids/ [https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/tips4kids/]  Acronym Guide:    BCFR: Boone County Family Resources  UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities  LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities     Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/ For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/ihd.umkc.edu]