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State Alliances

State alliances consist of a group of people and/or organizations in a particular state who work together toward a common goal in support of college opportunities for students with intellectual disability. At a minimum, an alliance can be a group of representatives from college programs. They can also include representatives from key state agencies, organizations, parents, alumni, and students.

State alliances help build community and momentum for inclusive higher education options for students with intellectual disability. Alliances connect state agencies and state-level constituents, create a learning community, offer more accessible professional development opportunities, and provide shared funding opportunities. Programs can work together on joint research and evaluation projects and pool resources and strategies. They can also share the responsibility for educating students, families, and educators about inclusive higher education. Alliances can help break down silos and get everyone involved on the same page when it comes to supporting college students with intellectual disability. Through working together, a collective voice arises and makes change happen.

 

News & Features

What to know about state alliances

What You Need To Know About State Alliances in Inclusive Higher Education

State alliances consist of a group of people and/or organizations in a particular state who work together to support college opportunities for students with intellectual disability. ...Read more

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Technical Assistance for State-Level Work

[Project: Inclusive Higher Education Network] Think College offers state leaders technical assistance through strategic planning, coaching, presentations, and additional support to enhance their collaborative efforts. 

...Read more
What's Growing on in Mississippi text on a green background

Inclusive College Options are Growing in Mississippi

For over 10 years, Jerry Alliston and colleagues have been trying to build momentum for inclusive higher education in the state of Mississippi. In the early 2010s, Dr. ...Read more

Supports for States and Alliance Development

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Our team can support you throughout the strategic planning process- from establishing your mission and vision to identifying goals and actions plans for deliverables. Individualized support will be offered to developing alliances and continues throughout each phase to ensure that you continue to meet your goals. 

COACHING

State alliance conveners or leaders will receive one-on-one coaching from members of our team to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to lead their alliance. Monthly meetings with Think College Network staff includes meeting preparation, progress review, and a space to brainstorm new initiatives.

OTHER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

We have a team of professionals waiting to help you start or support your state alliance! Please contact Susanna Miller-Raines at susanna.millerraines@umb.edu for more information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a state alliance?

State alliances consist of partners in the inclusive higher education landscape within a state. At a minimum, an alliance can be a group of representatives from programs. They can also include representatives from key state agencies (e.g., vocational rehabilitation, developmental disability, department of education), organizations (UCEDDs, DD councils, PTIs, Protection & Advocacy), parents, alumni, and students.

Why form a state alliance? What are the benefits?

There can be many rewards from the work of state alliances, including state funding in the form of program support and/or student scholarships, or policy support for programs by vocational rehabilitation. State alliances also lead to more opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and an infrastructure to support the development of new programs across the state.

Who should you include in your state alliance?

  • University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs)
  • Developmental Disability Councils/Governor’s Councils: These bring together a variety of groups, organizations, and agencies to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and their families. They can also lobby the legislature.
  • Protection and Advocacy Organizations
  • State departments of education
  • Vocational rehabilitation agencies
  • State developmental disability agencies
  • State Assistive Technology Act programs
  • Parent organizations, such as Parent Information and Training Centers
  • Alumni from IPSE programs
  • Representatives from institutions of higher education/colleges and universities, both those with IPSE programs and those who are interested in starting a program

What steps have led to successful alliances?

  • Choose a coordinator/backbone organization
  • Invite others to join and identify some leaders (the leadership team)
  • Create a common vision for your state or region
  • Host quarterly or semi-annual meetings of the leadership team
  • Provide technical assistance to others
  • Host a statewide meeting with all constituents
  • Use an email mailing list or project management software to communicate and consider a method for regular, collaborative work (e.g., Teamwork, Microsoft Teams, Slack, MailChimp, Constant Contact)
  • Create a social media presence
  • Create a website

How can you get more assistance about developing or expanding a state alliance?

Contact Susanna Miller-Raines, Regional and State Alliance Manager for training and technical assistance.

Do you have any other questions?

Email us at ThinkCollegeTA@umb.edu