IntellectAbility

03/14/2026

Did you miss our most recent IDD Perspectives webinar?

In this short clip, Dr. Escudé, Dr. LeComte, and Dr. Aita discuss the importance of preventative healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how early identification of health risks can improve outcomes.

Preventative care is an important part of reducing health disparities and strengthening healthcare systems that support people with IDD.

If you were unable to attend the webinar, the full recording is now available to watch: https://hubs.li/Q046N6150

03/12/2026

The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is one of the largest rural health investments in recent history.

But here’s the question no one is asking loudly enough:

Where are people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in this transformation?

Rural communities already face workforce shortages, limited provider access, transportation barriers, and fragmented systems of care. People with IDD experience these barriers at even higher rates, along with preventable health risks, avoidable emergency visits, and unnecessary costs.

If states are designing transformation plans without intentionally including people with IDD, we risk widening disparities rather than closing them.

At IntellectAbility, we believe rural health transformation must include:

• Preventative healthcare for people with IDD

• Workforce development and training

• Integrated data and risk detection systems

• Person-centered, measurable health outcomes

This is why we launched the initiative.

If you are a state leader, provider, advocate, or policymaker, now is the time to ensure IDD is written into rural transformation strategies.

Learn more here: https://replacingrisk.com/rural-health-transformation

03/07/2026

Heading to the South Carolina Human Services Providers Association Conference 2026?

Be sure to connect with Johnathon and Hilary, March 9–11. Stop by and say hello! We’d love to see you there!

03/06/2026

She’s not being difficult. She’s in pain.

For people with IDD, changes in behavior are often one of the first signs that something is wrong, an untreated health condition, discomfort, stress, or another unmet need.
When behavior is dismissed as “noncompliance” or “attention-seeking,” real risks can go unnoticed. But when we pause and ask why, we can identify problems earlier and prevent crises before they escalate.

Tools like the Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST®️) help teams recognize hidden health risks that may be showing up as behavior — supporting safer, more person-centered care for people with IDD.

See how the HRST helps detect hidden risks early:
https://replacingrisk.com/detecting-health-risks-early-how-the-hrst-screening-service-saves-lives/

03/04/2026

Thank you, Amber Grace, for an amazing person-centered thinking training session!

03/03/2026

Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience disparities in reproductive healthcare access, preventive screenings, and clinical support.

During Women’s History Month, we recognize the importance of closing these gaps through provider education and proactive systems.

Watch our clinician led webinar on reproductive health and IDD to learn more about strengthening care for women with disabilities: https://www.gotostage.com/channel/ea6b8b319fb4406fb7c7f18027db246c/recording/6bd14e3c4c994ac69bbbcbb09d9d333b/watch?source=CHANNEL

02/28/2026

Better training leads to better outcomes.

When professionals are equipped with prevention-focused education and practical, evidence-based tools, they are better prepared to identify risk early, strengthen person-centered practices, and improve health, safety, and quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Explore courses through the IntellectAbility Academy and invest in education that strengthens your entire system.

Learn more: https://replacingrisk.com/academy

02/27/2026

We’re looking for a certified HRST Rater who understands that accuracy matters. Your work directly supports early risk detection and better health outcomes for people with vulnerabilities.

This remote contractor role includes:
✔ Leading and coordinating HRST screenings
✔ Ensuring compliance with client and IA standards
✔ Supporting provider agencies through a seamless virtual screening process

Compensation:
• $38/hr for screenings
• $22/hr for non-screening activities
• $500 onboarding training fee

HRST Rater certification is required.

If you value precision, professionalism, and meaningful impact — apply today.
https://replacingrisk.com/careers/

02/27/2026

Meet Crystal, our HRST Clinical Service Representative! Crystal’s journey in healthcare began early, starting as a CNA before becoming a nurse—a path inspired in part by witnessing a serious accident and realizing she wanted to know more and do more to help others. In 2014, she found her way into the IDD field, where she discovered both her passion and purpose.

With experience as a psych nurse, Nurse Trainer, and Director of Community Support and Nursing Services, Crystal has supported individuals with IDD and dual diagnoses across multiple residential settings. Her training in the IARF Futures Program helped shape her commitment to person-centered thinking, ultimately leading her to IntellectAbility.

As a Clinical Service Representative, Crystal trains providers, identifies health risks, and focuses heavily on Fatal Five education to improve safety and IDD support. Outside of work, she enjoys life in rural Illinois with her family, a house full of Labradors, and a love for animals, softball, and storytelling.

02/24/2026

Rural health transformation must include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. When IDD is left out of planning, systems default to crisis response instead of prevention.

There is more to come on how to effectively utilize the Rural Health Transformation Program and why intentional IDD inclusion strengthens outcomes, reduces preventable hospitalizations, and builds stronger rural systems. Stay tuned.

02/18/2026

Behavior is communication. Training matters. Watch Dr. Craig Escudé share insights from IntellectAbility’s Curriculum in IDD Healthcare (CIDDH) and learn how healthcare professionals can better support people with IDD: https://www.vumedi.com/video/preventable-health-risks-in-idd-why-all-us-doctors-must-complete-the-curriculum-in-idd/InByZXZlbnRhYmxlLWhlYWx0aC1yaXNrcy1pbi1pZGQtd2h5LWFsbC11cy1kb2N0b3JzLW11c3QtY29tcGxldGUtdGhlLWN1cnJpY3VsdW0taW4taWRkIg:1vWaKY:A4fDfaO477C4a_Dl0MHPrI7K4Wjm-33Rjneg7KKt1I4/

A video from Craig Escudé (as part of Dr. Craig Escude), posted on Nov 12, 2025.

02/16/2026

A powerful quote from our recent webinar guest Jennifer M. LeComte, DO, FAAP, FACP highlights the often-overlooked topic of reproductive health for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasizing empowerment, education, and access to quality care.

If you missed the webinar, you can watch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nP7TtK3pSc