Advancing Innovative Solutions for Home and Community Development.
Developed by distinguished leaders in this highly specialized field, the Leadership Institute is focused on pressing concerns for accessibility to more community, housing and independent living options for individuals with autism and other neurodiversities. It serves as a multidisciplinary, hands-on training center for professionals, educators, support staff and medical personnel, as well as a robust site for research and advancements in public policy.
The First Place Global Leadership Institute’s five centers facilitating the critical work and impact of First Place include collaborates with international experts and industry leaders through its five centers:
Maricopa County IDA Center for Education, Training & Employment
Center for Real Estate & Community Development
Colonel Harland Sanders Center for Applied Research
Mulzet Center for Expression/ Communication
The First Place Global Leadership Institute addresses 10 priority issues:
1
Quality
of Life
Compromised
2
Isolation
“Handicapped,” dependency mindset
3
Housing Crisis
Limited options, high cost/demand, dwindling government resources
4
Business Model
Scarcity of proven outcomes, replicable programs and private capital
5
Support Staff
Low wages, limited training, high turnover
6
Public Policy
Dated; limited innovation and integration
7
Research
Need for large-scale initiatives defining best practices
8
Adult Medical Care
Too few practitioners on the cutting edge of autism servicing/supporting patients
9
Technology Platforms
Too varied and ever-changing; need for leveraging and maximizing
10
Heterogeneity
Broad range of diversity; lack of segmentation
Toolkits
As a resource to organizations committed to serving special populations and their families, the Leadership Institute has developed a variety of toolkits addressing specific areas to meet an organization’s needs— throughout specific or all stages of the project.
Consulting
Various levels of consulting are also offered by the Leadership Institute, with an emphasis on sharing expertise and lessons learned. Combined with the toolkits, this service offers effective strategies for saving time and money.
Symposiums
The Leadership Institute hosts semiannual symposiums (spring and fall), attracting pioneers in a variety of fields from across the country and around the world. Attendees gather to share ideas for advancing a new wave of home and community solutions through replicable, sustainable models and public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic collaboration.
Fellowships
Under the auspices of the Leadership Institute and in partnership with Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, the First Place Doctoral Fellowship focuses on an applied approach to research, assessment and intervention, family support, service coordination, community integration, community development and public policy. Fellowships aim to develop leaders in the fields of education, training, research and services for adults age 18 and older with autism and other neurodiversities.