The Link Center: A Federally Funded Technical Assistance and Resource Center Aimed at Improving Mental Health Treatment and Access for People with I/DD, Brain Injury, and other Cognitive and Communication Differences.

Although we do not have robust prevalence studies in the U.S., a recent meta-analysis estimated that 33.6% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have a mental health (MH) condition. We know that this prevalence may be an underrepresentation because of factors like diagnostic overshadowing. We also know that people with I/DD experience inequitable access to quality MH and preventive care. This highlights the chronic lack of and access to holistic, integrated care for individuals with I/DD, especially those who also have MH conditions. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals with I/DD experience MH crises and suffer adverse consequences. These consequences range from negative health outcomes and difficulties accessing community-based services, to prolonged boarding in hospital emergency departments, placement at psychiatric settings without proper accommodations for communication or disability-related needs, and engagement with law enforcement when behaviors are perceived as problematic for the public at large. These critical issues highlight the need for a comprehensive, national center that pulls together resources focusing on the dual diagnosis of I/DD and MH to support states and all their system partners, most importantly individuals with disabilities and their families. The need for a national resource center focused on increasing capacity and guided by principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion is significant. This paper outlines the establishment of The Link Center funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and led by the collective experience and expertise of the following organizations with unparalleled I/DD-MH dual diagnosis leadership: the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS); the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD), an Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions; and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD). The Link Center is guided by three overarching goals to increase the capacity in the U.S. to support individuals equitably and more effectively with co-occurring cognitive, communication and MH conditions: (1) systems change, (2) direct service workforce and clinical capacity development, and (3) improved service access. The grant's steering committee, comprised entirely of people with lived experience, serves as an essential rudder for The Link Center. Other efforts incorporated into the grant include shared learning groups, resource identification and development, and other efforts in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).