RAAC Training Institute bridges gaps in community supports for people with autism and IDD
University of Cincinnati hosts one-day conference bringing educators and community partners together
The University of Cincinnati recently hosted the RAAC Training Institute: Bridging Gaps in Community Supports for People with Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) this past September.
Welcome message of the RAAC Training Institute from Director, Sadie Everett/Photo/CECH Marketing
The impactful one-day conference brought together educators, service providers, and community stakeholders to collaborate on advancing effective supports for individuals with autism and IDD across the region.
Presented by the Regional Autism Advisory Council (RAAC) in partnership with the IDD Education Center at UC, the Training Institute featured two specialized learning tracks:
Educator Track: Focused on strategies to foster all classroom environments, support all types of learners, and strengthen partnerships between schools and families.
Community Stakeholder Track: Designed for providers, organizations, and advocates to deepen their understanding of systems of care and build coordinated supports for individuals and families.
Attendees gained practical tools, insights, and strategies to foster meaningful collaboration between education and community systems. Sessions were led by experts in autism, education, health care, and disability services. In addition, a self-advocate panel shared powerful live experiences and offered valuable perspectives on what communities can do to support success. Attendees also had the opportunity to receive CEUs and CPDUs.
Left to Right: Registration table at RAAC Training Institute, Director of RAAC, Sadie Everett and former TAP Graduate, Rachel Ma. Photo/Marketing Coordinator of IDD Education Center, Nikki Murray
The event received enthusiastic feedback from attendees:
“The Keynote was 🔥🔥🔥.”
“Sadie & her team rocked this event! It was wonderful! Would love to come back in the future.”
“Overall, a wonderful conference. I really enjoyed learning about ‘BE WELL’ and their interactive engagement spotlight.”
“Thank you so much for allowing me to attend such an event! It had beautiful organization and allowed me to see so many different things from a new perspective!”
"Thank you for hosting the day. I gained a lot and am glad that I attended!”
Left to Right - Keynote Speakers, The Well, Program Director Bryce Kessler & Founder & Executive Director Stacy Sims. Photo/CECH Marketing.
In addition to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, attendees also offered thoughtful insights for future growth, including cultivating more intentional networking opportunities to further strengthen connections among educators and community partners.
I loved seeing our community come together to learn and connect. This is just the beginning—we’re already looking forward to strengthening and expanding what we’ve started.
Director of RAAC, Sadie Everett
The RAAC Training Institute reflects the University of Cincinnati’s ongoing commitment to education and community engagement, ensuring individuals with autism and IDD have access to the supports they need to thrive.
For more information about RAAC memberships and future training opportunities, visit cech.uc.edu/RAAC
👉 Check out the incredible speakers who shared their expertise at this year’s event, here https://bit.ly/RAACSpeakers
Featured image at top: Attendees seated for welcome message at RAAC Training Institute. Photo: UC CECH Marketing.
IDD Education Center
UC’s IDD Education Center’s mission is to create meaningful, life-changing experiences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through innovative research, education and service. Nested in UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services and IT (CECH), the IDD Education Center provides programs for teens and adults to further their education, independence, and life skills. Program participants reach their potential and find their purpose in a community that accepts and supports them to be the best they can be. The IDD Education Center embraces the University’s strategic direction of Next Lives Here, breaking boundaries and providing opportunities for employment, social connections, and life-long learning.
We believe every individual possesses unique power, potential, and purpose.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
From hobbyist photographer to professional educator
October 9, 2026
DAAP alum and photographer HATSUE studied communication design after a pivot in high school from a track toward veterinary school. Today, they teach photography at 1001 Colors white working as an artist and curator in Cincinnati.
UC researcher to launch national study with $2.5 million NIH grant
October 9, 2026
A University of Cincinnati researcher has received a $2.5 million National Institutes of Health grant to conduct research during the next five years. Natalie Kreitzer, MD, a University of Cincinnati College of Medicine physician-researcher, received an R01 independent research grant from the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The funding will support a test program for caregivers of patients with traumatic brain injury, as reported by the Cincinnati Business Courier.
Simple ways to find a deeper sense of happiness and well being
October 8, 2026
UC assistant professor Suzie White, featured in an AARP story on practical ways to live a happier, healthier life, shared research-backed strategies for increasing well-being through gratitude and service to others. White teaches Happiness in Action, a course that helps students apply the science of happiness in everyday life.