What is the Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative?

The Illinois Training Initiative to Support People with Dual-Diagnosis is a collaboration between the UIC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Department of Disability and Human Development, and the UIC Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy (CMHSRP), Department of Psychiatry. The aims of this 5-year initiative are to:

1. Identify needs and service gaps for people with dual-diagnosis including underserved communities through an environmental scan;
2. Develop an action plan to improve coordination between service providers;
3. Develop, implement, and disseminate sustainable training; and
4. Sustain cross-systems integration.

The initiative has formed a Consortium Action Network (CAN) with members from state stakeholders, services providers, and people with disabilities. The CAN will work to identify state priorities in existing services for people with dual diagnosis, develop sustainable training to promote ongoing collaboration between the IDD and mental health systems, and consider any needed changes in policies and practices to promote access to services.