Local Community Cadres (LCCs) are regional networks of families and professionals invested in supporting individuals affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities. Participation in the local cadres serves the purpose of identifying local needs and making targeted changes to positively impact ASD at the community level.
Families and professionals working together
LCC Mission
To facilitate the sharing of information, training, and resources that improve understanding and support of ASD and other disabilities through collaboration across community systems including, but not limited to family members, individuals, school, medical professionals, service providers, advocates, and judicial professionals.
LCC Vision
Community members across diverse roles take joint responsibility to identify solutions that will work within their local community to improve the quality of life and inclusion of individuals with ASD and their families.
Core Four
The core elements central to all cadres to create meaningful and lasting change include:
- Collaboration & Networking
- Information Sharing
- Training
- Dissemination
Learn more about each of the Core Four areas:
LCCs encourage bridging and collaboration across diverse points of view to:
- Facilitate networking and dialogue with openness to diverse ideas.
- Promote the sharing of resources and information relevant to the local community.
- Create innovative interdisciplinary solutions.
Dialogue between LCC chapters, HANDS in Autism® and local stakeholders encourage:
- Ongoing evaluation and identification of needs in the community.
- Reciprocal sharing of resources and tools based upon those identified needs.
- Creation of a mechanism to inform and disseminate regarding regional, state, and national initiatives.
Development of community awareness of and capacity to support individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities through training and professional development aimed at:
- Ensuring community awareness of available trainings and resources.
- Providing consistency in ASD knowledge across the community and its many systems.
- Advancing the capacity to both provide and sustain consistent knowledge and use of science-based methods of working with and supporting affected individuals and families.
The interdisciplinary knowledge-base, connections, experience and skills of the LCC membership will encourage shared community responsibility and effort in addressing the needs of families and professionals supporting and caring for individuals with ASD and related disabilities that foster:
- Engagement at a systems level towards effective problem-solving and consistent practices.
- Facilitation towards development and sharing of solutions and resources related to local needs across systems.
- Using existing State and community resources to enhance local, as well as the broader statewide LCC action planning initiatives.
LCC FAQs
Here are some FAQs about Local Community Cadres:
In September 2010, HANDS conducted a summit to facilitate the development of Local Community Cadres within six regions of the state. The expectation was that Cadres would consist of regional representatives from across medical, school, community, and family systems to join together to take action in meeting the identified local community needs of individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorder or related developmental disabilities. With regional representation, such groups would be able to work together on individualized needs for their local areas with their respective culture, resources, and systems at mind. It is for this reason we have limited cadre participation to the one area for which each cadre member most strongly represents whether that be by residence, job location, or proximity to either.
Community time and effort is needed to build effective supports for individuals with ASD and related disabilities that are relevant to each region. Members choose their level of participation based upon the time they feel they can commit to. All levels of participation are welcome and needed! Cadres are comprised of local, diverse, self-appointed stakeholders invested in addressing the needs of individuals and families affected by ASD and other related developmental disabilities. Membership is representative of the full range of supports across the lifespan.
Each LCC chapter is unique and connects (live or on-line) regularly to:
- Assess and Evaluate: Develop an understanding of community needs to be addressed and the status of current efforts using the ASD Needs Assessment and other data.
- Engage Stakeholders: Mobilize interest, consensus and support regarding the strategies used to address community needs and how to achieve positive outcomes.
- Develop an Action Plan: As a cohesive group, formulate an action plan for addressing the identified needs and achieving positive outcomes.
- Implement Strategies: Work together within the cadre and the community to implement strategies identified in the LCC action plan.
Activities pursued by each cadre are based on the identified needs of the region including, but not limited to:
- Workshops for parents, school personnel, medical professionals and community providers
- Community events and other networking initiatives
- Strategic dissemination of informational materials or resources
- Community participation in polls and surveys to inform LCC and State activities
It is simple! You can sign up for our enewsletters based on the topic(s) of most interest to you.
If you are interested in championing an LCC in your region, we would love to have you on board! Please sign up here: Sign up to become an LCC Champion.
Qualities of an LCC Champion:
Openness to learning from other LCC Champions and members.
An active voice in state-level advocacy efforts.
A willingness to share evaluation strategies and reporting tools within the LCC region.
Expectations of an LCC Champion:
Based on LCC's Core 4 pillars of Collaboration & Networking, Information Sharing, Training, and Dissemination, the following expectations apply:
Partnering with community events, organizations, and businesses to promote inclusivity and create welcoming environments.
Identifying and sharing training opportunities to help individuals access valuable learning resources.
- Facilitating connections for members to engage with others over shared experiences, challenges, and interests.
- Providing support for community and/or family-led initiatives that align with the LCC mission.