Over fifty years ago, Rosemary Kennedy inspired the creation of the Special Olympics movement. Starting today, the Rosemary Collaboratory will inspire and foster the collaboration and action that are needed to make health systems stronger and make health equity for people with IDD a reality.
Rosemary Kennedy inspired Eunice Kennedy Shriver to found Special Olympics, and Special Olympics is excited to further honor her memory with the Rosemary Collaboratory. This initiative aims to accelerate efforts to address challenges that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face in health systems worldwide—issues that Rosemary Kennedy experienced 60 years ago and still persist today.
Consisting of eleven Special Olympics chapters across eight countries and three U.S. states, Rosemary Collaboratory sites are charged with researching and leading efforts to improve local policies, systems, and environments to improve the health and well-being of individuals with IDD. Special Olympics Wisconsin is honored and excited to have been selected to participate in this critical work. Thanks to sponsorship by the Golisano Foundation and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Special Olympics Wisconsin’s team will focus its efforts on three long-term objectives:
• Strengthen medical education and continuing education to ensure health professionals are prepared to effectively care for patients with IDD.
• Improve Medicaid reimbursement rates to more accurately reflect the complexity of need and time required to care for patients with IDD.
• Partner with the State of Wisconsin and fellow advocates to implement the strategies outlined in the IDD-Mental Health Systems Improvement Report, published by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
- Chinese Taipei
- Ireland
- India
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Paraguay
- South Africa
- United States – Pennsylvania
- United States – Washington
- United States – Wisconsin
Special Olympics Wisconsin’s work with the Rosemary Collaboratory is still in its early stages. Updates will be shared via our Inspire Newsletter and posted to this webpage. Please check back frequently to stay informed about our progress and learn about ways to support these efforts.
