News & Perspectives
HSRI’s latest news and perspectives from team members and people with lived experience.
HSRI Reaffirms Mission and Values
At Human Services Research Institute, we reaffirm our mission of building equitable, inclusive, and compassionate systems that meet the needs of all.
Understanding that policy shifts may impact the prioritization of resources across our communities, our work with local, state, and federal partners is essential. With clarity and conviction, we recommit to our values of advancing racial equity, communicating inclusively, and empowering those we serve.
Our Racial Equity Team and Equity Review Board remain committed to HSRI’s equity-promoting principles. They will continue to serve as a resource and a safe space to process challenges we may encounter together.
As we move forward, we continue to be inspired by the resilience and strength of the communities we serve. Every day, we are reminded of the profound impact of inclusive and supportive services that uphold people’s lived experiences. We look forward to continuing our work, prioritizing compassion, accountability, and integrity, just as we always have.
“Tough but Needed”: The (Continued) Importance of DEI Programs
Many organizations are backing down on their DEI efforts. HSRI president, David Hughes, discusses the importance of countering this trend, with insights from Colleen Kidney and Jamekia Collins.
Read more about the importance of DEI programs.
HSRI’s Celebration on the 60th Anniversary of the Developmental Disabilities Act
HSRI Founder and President Emerita, Valerie Bradley, penned this article on the 60th anniversary of the groundbreaking Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act) of 1963—an indisputable reason why the lives of people and their families nationwide have greatly improved over the decades. Using data from the National Core Indicators-IDD® 2021-2022 In-Person Survey, Bradley assesses the extent to which we have lived up to the expectations presented in the DD Act.
Read more HSRI celebration of the DDA.
HSRI’s Alixe Bonardi and Kate Brady Featured on “BoggsCast”
Alixe Bonardi, OTR, MHA, FAAIDD, Vice President – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Kate Brady, PhD, ABD, Project Manager for the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) and HCBS Setting Rule Engagement, discuss moving toward an authentically person-centered system of supports and services for people with disabilities on Episode 22 of “BoggsCast,” the podcast of The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities.
The New York State Office of Mental Health Has Awarded $1 Million to HSRI
The New York State Office of Mental Health has awarded $1 million to Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) to lead a 2-year evaluation of court-ordered mental health outpatient treatment, or Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), established in New York under Kendra’s Law (1999).
Behavioral Health Team Describes Its Approach to Systems Change
In this one-pager, the Behavioral Health team describes their unique approach to systems change and their aims in behavioral health needs assessment.
Read more about BH’s approach to systems change.
Revealing Insights on Quality of Supports and Self-Reported Outcomes Among People with Disabilities
The National Core Indicators (NCI) program announces the release of the National Core Indicators Intellectual and Developmental Disability (NCI-IDD) – In-Person Survey (IPS) National Report for the year 2021-2022. This comprehensive report is based on data collected by 27 states from 13,559 adults receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS) from their state Developmental Disabilities (DD) service systems.
Celebrating Women’s History: An Interview with HSRI Founder and President Emerita Val Bradley
HSRI founder and President Emerita Val Bradley talks about leadership, life lessons, and lasting change in the field of IDD.
Read more and watch the interview.
Journal Spotlights Research on Self-Directed Care
Featured in the Editor’s Choice collection in Psychiatric Services: Research from Bevin Croft, Nilufer Isvan, and colleagues found that individuals who self-direct while working toward recovery goals have better employment and housing outcomes than people who do not.
HSRI Helps the Maine Cancer Foundation to Create Maine’s First Comprehensive Cancer Blueprint
The Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) has announced the creation of the first Maine Cancer Blueprint, a comprehensive, interactive, data-driven tool designed to increase knowledge and awareness of issues related to cancer, expand access to care, and support lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk.
Read more about the cancer blueprint.
HSRI Announced Additions to Executive and Senior Leadership Teams
HSRI announced the addition of three vice presidents to its executive team and the expansion of its senior leadership team. Sebrina Johniken has been appointed to the role of vice president, human resources and administration; Alexandra (Alixe) Bonardi to the role of vice president, intellectual and developmental disabilities; and Leanne Candura to the role of vice president, population health.
Read more about additions to HSRI’s teams.
New NCI Co-Directors for HSRI
The National Core Indicators team, which includes National Core Indicators—Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI-IDD) and National Core Indicators—Aging and Disabilities (NCI-AD), is pleased to announce that Stephanie Giordano and Dorothy Hiersteiner will be serving as NCI Co-Directors for HSRI. Alixe Bonardi, the previous NCI Director will continue to serve NCI in an advisory capacity.
Read more about new NCI Co-Directors.
HSRI’s Population Health Team Names New Directors
HSRI is excited to announce that three staff members are being promoted to director roles on the organization’s Population Health Team: Kate Mullins as the director of project and product management, Kevin Rogers as the director of technical services, and Ioana Crisan as the director of healthcare reporting. The Population Health Team has grown since its inception in 2013.
Read more about PH’s new directors.
HSRI Commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, Reflects on the Need for Its Expansion
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed 30 years ago by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. It marked a major milestone in the fight for the civil rights of people with disabilities to participate in the mainstream of American life. The law prohibits discrimination in broad areas of community and public life—including employment, education, and transportation.