"We hope that community-based organizations can take a leadership role in generating research questions and more actively participate in the development and implementation of research initiatives," Marks said.

"A huge need exists for health promotion," she said. "Our long-range goal is to have accessible health promotion resources available in every state for local community-based organizations supporting people with DD."

UIC, with more than a decade of experience in developing and testing health promotion programs for persons with DD, is partnering this new project with Albuquerque-based ARCA, New Mexico's largest private nonprofit organization serving people with DD, and with Zion, Ill.-based NorthPointe Resources, which offers one of the most comprehensive support systems for persons with DD in Chicago's north suburbs. Both organizations have long experience in providing day-to-day services, community resources and strong networking capabilities.

Source : University of Illinois