» TPI Highlight

January 30, 2023 - Chapman’s Thompson Policy Institute on Disability Secures $1.2 Million in New Grants

Jill Perez, Kari Adams, Audri Sandoval Gomez, and Shayne Brophy are standing next to each other in front of a screen with the title slide from their "Innovative Approaches for Redesigning Professional Development for Paraprofessionals in Inclusive Environments" presentation.

The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI) is continuing to grow in its impact and support. With three new grants totaling more than $1.2 million, TPI is expanding its capacity to work alongside the disability community in improving equitable, accessible and nurturing environments for learning and living. For more information, please read the blog post from Thompson Policy Institute.

January 11, 2023 - Innovative Approaches for Redesigning Professional Development for Paraprofessionals in Inclusive Environments

Jill Perez, Kari Adams, Audri Sandoval Gomez, and Shayne Brophy are standing next to each other in front of a screen with the title slide from their "Innovative Approaches for Redesigning Professional Development for Paraprofessionals in Inclusive Environments" presentation.

Dr. Audri Sandoval Gomez, Dr. Shayne Brophy Felbab, Jill Perez, MA, and Kari Adams, MA, Newport Mesa Unified School District, presented to a packed room at the Association of California School Administrators conference. The team presented "Innovative Approaches for Redesigning Professional Development for Paraprofessionals in Inclusive Environments."


 December 21, 2022 - TPI Welcomes New Team Members!

Headshots of three new TPI team members

Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI) has grown with the addition of three new team members. The latest additions to the team reflect TPI’s commitment to creating cutting-edge practices to increase inclusion in schools and communities for those who have often been underserved, including youth and adults with disabilities, those who are Black, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, as well as those experiencing poverty. The new positions will expand TPI’s ability to provide technical assistance to PK – 12 schools, universities, and service organizations, while engaging in research and program evaluation. For more information, please read the blog post from Thompson Policy Institute.


December 7, 2022 - Dr. Audri Sandoval Gomez honored for five years of service at Chapman University

Dr. Gomez is standing on stage shaking the hand of Chapman University President Daniele C. Struppa, Ph.D.

Dr. Audri Sandoval Gomez, Co-Director of TPI, was honored for five years of service at Chapman University. Congratulations, Dr. Gomez!


November 7, 2022 - TPI Announces SPAIS Grant

The left half of the image is the SPAIS logo, which is positioned on top of the TPI logo. The right half of the image is Dr. Gomez presenting in front of a group of teachers sitting at round tables. The screen behind Dr. Gomez reads Session 1: Recap Inclusion.

TPI is thrilled to announce Farb Middle School, San Diego Unified School District, and Savanna High School, Anaheim Union High School District, join six middle schools in the Poway Unified School District to participate in the Strategic Practices for the Advancement of Inclusive Schooling (SPAIS) grant. Read the latest blog to learn more about the SPAIS grant and the newest additions to the grant!

October 27, 2022 - Thompson Center Autism Conference

Audri Sandoval Gomez, Elissa Green Kaustinen, and Kari Adams are standing on stage with the presentation screen behind them. On the screen is the title of the presentation, "It Takes a Village: Maximizing Educational Outcomes Through Collaborative Relationships."

Dr. Audri Sandoval Gomez, Co-Director of TPI, Elissa Green Kaustinen, Director of FAST@CHOC, and Kari Adams, TPI Consultant and Special Education Coordinator at NMUSD, presented at the Thompson Center Autism Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The presentation, It Takes a Village: Maximizing Educational Outcomes through Collaborative Relationships, was part of the Autism in Schools breakout strand and was well-attended with 150 conference attendees. The conference brought together staff from the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability, Thompson Autism Center at CHOC, and the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at University of Missouri.

October 17, 2022 - The Future of Higher Education

Chapman University Faculty and Staff are standing in a line in front of the stage. Pictured from left to right - President Daniele Struppa, Vice President Joe Sloensky, Misty Levingston, Araceli Martinez, Roxanne Greitz Miller, Meghan Cosier, Audri Sandoval Gomez, Gabriela Castaneda, and Reg Chhen Stewart.

Drs. Meghan Cosier and Audri Sandoval Gomez were invited to attend The Future of Higher Education presented by the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. President Daniele Struppa, Chapman University, Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI, and President Framroze Virjee, CSUF, were the featured presenters for the event.

September 26, 2022 - TPI Announces California Department of Education Grant

Dr. Amy Ardell is presenting to educators sitting at round tables in a conference room

The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability and El Dorado County Charter SELPA Partner to Build Bright Futures with $400,000 Grant: The California Department of Education Grant will Support Educators at California Charter Schools


September 23, 2022 - Professional Growth Day

Shelley Moore is presenting the keynote on stage with "What Does Inclusion Mean" written on the large screen on stage.

TPI team members Dr. Audri Sandoval Gomez, Co-Director, Jill Perez, Program Specialist, and Dr. Richard Rosenberg, Transition Consultant, presented during Poway Unified School District's Professional Growth Day. Educator, Researcher, and Storyteller Shelley Moore presented the keynote address "The Evolution of Inclusion."
During breakout sessions, Dr. Gomez and Ms. Perez presented "Building Common Practices for Co-Teaching in Poway" and Dr. Rosenberg presented "Alternate Pathways to a High School Diploma: Creating Meaningful Post-Secondary Opportunity for ALL" with Kevin Schaefer of Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP).

September 21, 2022 - Cultivating Student Well-Being Series

Dr. Ardell is presenting in front of a room of people sitting at tables, taking notes on laptops. Dr. Hass is standing next to the lectern watching Dr. Ardell present. A large screen for the slides is behind Drs. Ardell and Hass.

Dr. Michael Hass, Chapman University, and Dr. Amy Ardell, Mount Saint Mary's University, led 50 K-12 educators, district administrators, school psychologists and counselors on a deep dive into supporting students' mental health, during the Cultivating Student Well-Being Series. The series is based on Drs. Hass and Ardell's book "Supporting Student Mental Health: Essentials for Teachers.."
The series is presented in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education.

September 19, 2022 - Thompson Policy Institute on Disability’s 2022 Summit

Summit 2022 Opening Remarks 

The 2022 Summit on Disability and Inclusion is available for viewing! Watch the Summit to learn the importance of steak from Diana Pastora Carson, hear Alex Zavala's experience working full-time for Kaiser, and find out about the exciting initiatives TPI is working on! Please visit chapman.edu/tpi-2022summit to watch.

Advocate and educator, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed., delivers keynote at Thompson Policy Institute on Disability’s 2022 Summit. The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability’s (TPI) 2022 Summit on Disability and Inclusion brings together a variety of stakeholders dedicated to developing inclusive spaces for the disability community in schools, employment, and society. 


August 22, 2022 - 2022 Research, Practice, and Impact Report

The cover of the 2022 Research, Practice, and Impact Report shows a collage of images:  Top row, left to right: Alex Zavala is pictured with his collection cart at Kaiser Permanente, Irvine; FAST Directors Elissa Green Kaustinen and Jeanne Anne Carriere are pictured in the lobby of CHOC; Dr. Kevin Stockbridge and Meghan Cosier are pictured in their regalia at the Chapman graduation ceremony. Middle row, left to right: Children are sitting on a bench in the waiting room of the Thompson Autism Center; Dr. Reg Chhen Stewart, Dr. Audri Sandoval Gomez, Dr. Gabriela Castaneda, and Jason McAlexander are pictured at Chapman's graduation ceremony Bottom row, left to right: a participant in Project Search in standing in a commercial kitchen; two children wearing sports jerseys and wearing a medal are standing with a young adult wearing a sports jersey; a teacher is standing with an arm around a student in a commercial kitchen. 

Check out the accessible report to learn about the impact TPI is making through its initiatives!

July 13, 2022 - 2022 Summit on Disability and Inclusion Announcement

Alex stands smiling with his hands folded and placed on top of a medical cart. He is wearing blue medical scrubs, a black digital watch, and a medical identification card. 

Alex Zavala will be presenting on the Transition Services panel!
Alex is currently employed at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Irvine. He was hired as a full-time employee after participating in an internship program at Kaiser through Goodwill of Orange County's Project Search Program. Alex is well-known throughout Kaiser, and he has earned awards for his positive work ethic. He has also been featured as a Hometown Hero for a local news station and in the Los Angeles Times. During the Transition Services Panel, Alex will share his experience working with Project Search and what his day-to-day life is like.
To learn more about Alex, you can read the article about him in the Orange County edition of the Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/.../tn-wknd-me-alex-zavala...
To hear Alex present his experience, please join TPI for the 2022 Summit on Disability and Inclusion on Friday, August 12 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm PST at Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University in Orange, California.
The Summit is FREE to attend, but registration is required. Please visit chapman.edu/tpi-2022summit to register.
Accessibility: Musco Center for the Arts is a fully accessibly venue with nearby accessible parking. ASL interpreters and a quiet room will be available.

 April 7, 2022 - New Blog Alert!

Dr. Gomez Presenting at DisAbility Summit
Teacher preparation programs and those that support them must prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism in their efforts to prepare a more robust and diverse teacher pipeline. That is why CalEPIC is proud to participate in the Teacher Preparation Transformation Initiative, a community of practice with leading Teacher Preparation Transformation Centers (the Centers), that is working to transform the way teachers are prepared. Our vision? If teacher preparation programs implement sustainable, quality programming at scale that recruits and retains diverse, effective new candidates, then more teachers will be better prepared to positively impact all students.
For more information on the Teacher Preparation Transformation Initiative, please visit:

 April 7, 2022 - TPI Partners with OC Groups Toward a Brighter Future for People with Disabilities

Dr. Gomez Presenting at DisAbility Summit
Read the latest TPI blog to find out about TPI's efforts to improve transition outcomes for people with disabilities through its partnership with the Orange County Local Partnership Agreement.

January 28, 2022 - Dr. Kevin Stockbridge has joined the team as CalEPIC Project Manager!

Dr. Kevin Stockbridge's headshot on the right and the CalEPIC logo on the left
TPI is excited to announce Dr. Kevin Stockbridge has joined the team as the CalEPIC Project Manager! Please read the blog to learn about Dr. Stockbridge and his new CalEPIC role at TPI. http://blogs.chapman.edu/.../thompson-policy-institute.../

January 21, 2022 - Bridge to the Future V Conference

Image is of a large, metal bridge spanning a body of water to a distant land as the sun rises.
TPI is partnering with California Transition Alliance to present:
Bridge to the Future V Conference
Spanning the Transition Landscape: The Times They are A-Changin'
Connecting Professionals Serving Youth in Transition
A Virtual Student-Centered Conference
March 7 - 9, 2022
Target Audience: All Pre-K through age 22 educators, administrators, families, and community stakeholders committed to ensuring ALL students are prepared for competitive, integrated and family-sustaining employment. ALL means ALL.
For more information and to register: https://catab2tfinstitute.vfairs.com/
Additional Institute Partners: California Department of Education, Sacramento County Office of Education, California Community of Practice, Interwork Institute at SDSU, Supporting Inclusive Practices, California Department of Rehabilitation.

January 11, 2022 - TPI is in the news!

The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability team includes director Meghan Cosier (second row, second from left), co-director Audri Gomez (bottom row, left) and founding director Don Cardinal (top row, second from left).
TPI's California Educator Preparation Innovation Collaborative, CalEPIC, is featured in Chapman University's Newsroom. The article details TPI's efforts to develop innovative approaches that will prepare educators to teach all students equitably in general education classrooms.
https://news.chapman.edu/.../with-growing-support.../

January 11, 2022 - TPI at TASH!

2021 TASH Conference Virtual Edition December 1 - 5, 2021
Dr. Audri Sandoval Gomez, Associate Director of TPI, and Elissa Green Kaustinen, Director of TPI's FAST@CHOC program, will be presenting at TASH along with Kari Adams, Special Education Coordinator, Newport-Mesa Unified School District. “It Takes a Village: Maximizing Educational Outcomes Through Collaborative Relationships” will be presented on Thursday, December 2 from 1:15-2:00 pm PST.
Stacy Eldred, TPI Graduate Research Assistant, and Megan Doty, Doctoral Candidate Attallah College of Educational Studies, will be presenting “Using a Strengths-Based Approach to Promote & Facilitate Inclusion for Students with Extensive Needs” on Friday, December 3 from 1:00 - 1:45 pm PST.
Dr. Don Cardinal, Founding Director of TPI, will be honored with the Barbara R. Trader Leadership Award on Saturday, December 4 from 3:15 - 4:00 pm PST.

November 19, 2021 - Congratulations, Dr. Cardinal!

2021 TASH Awards Recognition Program
Dr. Donald N. Cardinal, the founding director of TPI, will be honored with the Barbara R. Trader Leadership Award during the 2021 TASH Conference. Dr. Cardinal earned the award for his lifetime of service, scholarship, and leadership in advancing inclusion for people with disabilities. The TASH Awards Ceremony will be held virtually for conference attendees on Saturday, December 4 from 6:15 - 7:00 pm.

October 22, 2021 - Save the Date!

Headshots of workshop presenters Richard Rosenberg and Linda O'Neal
Person Driven Planning to Address Individual Hopes and Dreams
Presenters: Richard Rosenberg and Linda O'Neal
November 17, 2021
3:00 - 4:30 pm
FREE Virtual Workshop
This free workshop is a follow-up to the popular Transition Services breakout session during the 2021 Summit on DisAbility and Inclusion.
Registration link and more info to follow.
Live closed captioning will be provided. Please email tpi@chapman.edu to request a language translator.

September 21, 2021 - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant

CalEPIC logo
TPI is excited to announce a new 3.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish the California Educator Preparation Collaborative (CalEPIC). To learn more about CalEPIC, please read the latest blog from Attallah College of Educational Studies:
https://blogs.chapman.edu/.../thompson-policy-institute.../

August 13, 2021 - Congratulations, Dr. James!

Audri Sandoval Gomez (TPI's Associate Director), Jennifer James (TPI's Office Manager and Special Project Coordinator), and Meghan Cosier (TPI's Director) posing in front of Reeves Hall at Chapman University
TPI wants to congratulate our Office Manager and Special Projects Coordinator, Jennifer James, who recently graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education from the Attallah College of Educational Studies at Chapman University. Her dissertation is titled, “Systemic Functional Linguistics in the Community College Composition Class: A Multimodal Approach to Teaching Composition Use the Metalanguage of SFL.” Congratulations, Dr. James! We are so happy for you and proud you are part of the TPI team!

July 27, 2021 - TPI will be teaming up with the Fish Interfaith Center at Chapman University

outside of the Fish Interfaith Center at Chapman University
TPI will be teaming up with the Fish Interfaith Center at Chapman University for the 2021 Summit on DisAbility and Inclusion. Drs. Jay Kumar and Sophie Janicke-Bowles, representing Fish Interfaith Center, will be leading Summit attendees in mindfulness activities during the Summit breaks. The mindfulness activities will specifically help attendees deal with living in a digital world. The virtual Summit is free to attend, but registration is required. To register, please visit:
2021 Summit on DisAbility and Inclusion
Wednesday, August 11
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Virtual
Accessibility: Live closed captioning and ASL interpreters will be provided. The virtual platform is also screen reader compatible. Please email tpi@chapman.edu for any other accommodations.

June 15, 2021 - 2021 CA-MTSS Conference

The CA-MTSS logo of an umbrella with the text "California MTSS 2021 Professional Learning Institute - Know Me, Include Me."
Drs. Meghan Cosier, Audri Sandoval Gomez, and Don Cardinal will be presenting during the virtual 2021 CA-MTSS Conference. Their presentation, "Are We Moving the Needle on Access to General Education?: A Five-Year Trend Analysis on California's Outcomes," will be on Thursday, July 22 at 11:00 am. To register, please visit https://camtsspli.ocde.us/.../91c570f0-c45e-4d80.../summary

March 29, 2021 - Resource fair to connect families

The CHOC teddy bear mascot is lying on the ground looking at the screen of a laptop
Elissa Green Kaustinen, TPI's FAST@CHOC Director, is hosting a FREE resource fair to connect families with therapeutic services, support groups, educational opportunities, and recreational activities in the community.
Date: April 17, 2021
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Featuring: Keynote by Dr. Tom Megerian, Pediatric Neurologist and 20 different agencies, community resources, and businesses supporting Autism. The closing address will be presented by Able Coffee Roasters.
Giveaways: Raffle prizes and swag bags for the first 100 that register.
Closed captioning through Zoom auto-captioning will be provided.

January 8, 2021 - Setting our Students up for Long-Term Success

Dr. Amy Jane Griffiths presenting at the DisAbility Summit
Please read the latest TPI blog by GRA Rachel Wiegand and Dr. Amy Jane Griffiths for strategies to set-up students for successful employment outcomes.

December 11, 2020 - A virtual discussion with Dr. Alfredo J. Artiles of the Stanford Graduate School of Education

professional headshot of Dr. Alfredo J. Artiles
TPI sponsored a virtual discussion with Dr. Alfredo J. Artiles of the Stanford Graduate School of Education. The presentation, "Notes on the Next Generation of Interdisciplinary Research on Inclusive Education," was presented in partnership with the AERA Special and Inclusive Education Research SIG. Dr. Meghan Cosier, TPI's Director, is currently serving as the Treasurer / Secretary for the SIG. To view the video, please use the following link and select the "Special Interest Groups" tab:
https://www.chapman.edu/.../thompson.../action/index.aspx

November 18, 2020 - TPI's Newest Initiative!

Black male  teacher smiling at student
TPI is currently developing a proposal for a California-based Educator Preparation Innovation Center - CalEPIC. The CalEPIC network will build the capacity of California’s diverse, well-prepared, and thriving educators to support equity, inclusivity, and the whole child. The development of CalEPIC is made possible with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
For more information about CalEPIC, please read the blog post from Attallah College of Educational Studies and visit www.calepic.org.
https://blogs.chapman.edu/.../thompson-policy-institute.../

November 17, 2020 - Dr. Audri Gomez recognized during Chapman's State of Research and Creative Activity

a screenshot of Dr. Gomez giving her thank you speech during the State of Research and Creative Activity event.
Dr. Audri Gomez, Associate Director at TPI, was recognized today during Chapman's State of Research and Creative Activity event for her efforts in securing over $1 million in funding from outside sponsors. Dr. Gomez has received funding for her work from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Children's Hospital of Orange County. Congratulations to Dr. Gomez on joining the prestigious Million Dollar Club!
The State of Research and Creative Activity virtual event can be viewed here :
The Million Dollar Club presentation, including Dr. Gomez's thank you speech, begins at the 18-minute mark.

 November 17, 2020 - Dr. Audri Gomez Joins Chapman's Million Dollar Club

Dr. Gomez Presenting at DisAbility Summit
Dr. Audri Gomez, Associate Director at TPI, was recognized today during Chapman's State of Research and Creative Activity event for her efforts in securing over $1 million in funding from outside sponsors. Dr. Gomez has received funding for her work from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Children's Hospital of Orange County. Congratulations to Dr. Gomez on joining the prestigious Million Dollar Club! The State of Research and Creative Activity virtual event can be viewed by clicking here. The Million Dollar Club presentation, including Dr. Gomez's thank you speech, begins at the 18-minute mark.

November 9, 2020 - TPI Announces CalEPIC

CalEPIC Logo
TPI is currently developing a proposal for a California-based Educator Preparation Innovation Center - CalEPIC. The CalEPIC network will build the capacity of California’s diverse, well-prepared, and thriving educators to support equity, inclusivity, and the whole child. The development of CalEPIC is made possible with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
For more information about CalEPIC, please read the blog post from Attallah College of Educational Studies and visit the CalEPIC website

November 2, 2020 - Inaugural Board of Advisors Meeting

Transition Board Meeting

TPI held its first Board of Advisors meeting virtually in November. Along with Chapman and TPI leadership, the Board of Advisors is comprised of experts in the fields of education and disability. The Board of Advisors will meet twice each year to provide support for TPI's programs and services. For more information, please visit the Board of Advisors page. 


October 1, 2020 - 2020 Summary of Findings

Front of Musco

The 2020 Summary of Findings is now ready! Click here to read about the research and initiatives happening at TPI!


September 30, 2020 - TPI Welcomes Jill Perez

Headshot of Jill Perez

TPI is excited to welcome JILL PEREZ to the team as the Professional Learning Specialist. Jill is an Education Coach and Consultant with over 22 years of experience in education. It is her passion to support schools and districts in their mission to become more inclusive for students with disabilities. Jill prides herself in providing practical supports for teachers to make inclusive schooling a reality for all students.

Prior to working as a consultant, Jill worked as a special education teacher in the San Diego Unified School District where she and a team of teachers transformed a school from using segregated practices for students with disabilities to inclusive practices for all students. Since that time, Jill has had the opportunity to work with schools in multiple districts and states, increasing access for students with special needs in general education and supporting schools through inclusive school reform.

Jill holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and holds both general education and special education (Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe) teaching credentials. Jill also works as a lecturer for California State University San Marcos, and teaches Inclusive Education classes for Trinity Washington University in Washington D.C. She also consults in public and private schools across the nation.


September 9, 2020 - TPI Launches Transition CA Resource Webpage

Transition CA Logo

TPI has collaborated with the Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC), California Department of Rehabilitation, and other local transition partners to develop a comprehensive website dedicated to transition services. This project has been years in the making and TPI is excited for the community to utilize this important resource. For more information, read the Attallah College of Educational Studies blog. Please visit the Transition CA website


August 24, 2020 TPI Welcomes New Director of Families and Students Together @ CHOC Children’s

Headshot of Elissa Green Kaustinen
Elissa Green Kaustinen is the newest member to the Thompson Policy Institute as the Families and Students Together Director @ CHOC Children’s. Prior to joining us Elissa has working within the public school system the last 17 years, which included 7 years as a school psychologist and 10 years as an administrator within special education. Most recently Elissa served the community of Newport Mesa Unified School district in the role of Special Education Coordinator. As a Special Education Coordinator Elissa has experience in many areas including special education assessments, inclusive practices, developing Individual Education Plans, counseling, developing and implementing behavioral programs, autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Throughout Elissa’s career she has promoted a culture of inclusivity and advocated to support all students.

August 10, 2020 - New Active Education Webinars for Fall Announced

Laptop with word "webinar" written on screen

TPI has teamed up with the Orange County Department of Education once again to offer a new series of Active Education Webinars for pre-service teachers, new teachers, and the educators who support teachers. There will be a series of four webinars and all four will be free thanks to generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Thompson Family Foundation. For more information and to register, please visit the Active Education Webinar page


July 21, 2020 - TPI Announces the 5th Annual DisAbility Summit Rescheduled in Virtual Format

Collage of DisAbility Summit Presenters

The 5th Annual DisAbility Summit was scheduled for March 27; however, the event had to be postponed due to COVID-19. TPI will live stream the DisAbility Summit on Friday, October 9 from 9:00 - 11:00 am. The theme for this event is Inclusion and Transition: Each Enhancing the Other. Joe Xavier, Director of the California Department of Rehabilitation, will be the keynote speaker addressing transition in his presentation "If Not You, Who? If Not Now, When?" In addition, Dr. Richard Rosenberg and Linda O'Neal, M.A. will be presenting information on California transition initiatives. For more information about the DisAbility Summit, please visit the blog or the 2020 DisAbility Summit page. To register for the event, please visit Chapman Ticketing


May 20, 2020 - Original research study that TPI conducted published

Don Cardinal presenting at DisAbility Summit

An Investigation of Increased Rates of Autism in U.S. Public Schools

Dr. Don Cardinal, along with Dr. Amy Jane Griffiths, Zachary Maupin, and Julie Fraumeni-McBride, recently had the original research study that TPI conducted published in Psychology in the Schools. This study was intended to enhance our understanding of the dramatic increase in autism prevalence rates across the United States. A robust national and multistate sample of children and youth (5–22 years of age) was gathered and analyzed, using visual and statistical analysis of autism eligibility over a 15‐ to 17‐year period. Although the impact of environmental or genetic influences could not be entirely ruled out, the TPI research team identified significant shifts in eligibility trends that substantially contributed to the remarkable increase in autism prevalence. Assessment procedures and criteria for autism have sustained an indelible influence from this diagnostic migration, which has had a lasting impact on public schools. To read the article, please click here


 April 21, 2020 - TPI Offers Active Education Webinars for Teacher Candidates

Screenshot from an Active Education Webinar

In an effort to support public education and ensure an uninterrupted pipeline of future educators during COVID-19, the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI) came together with its partners to create the Active Education Webinar Series. To read about the Active Education Webinars, please read the blog post "Thompson Policy Institute's Active Education Webinars Provides Vital Training and Clinical Hours for Teacher Candidates."


February 20, 2020 - Research from First DisAbility Summit Published in Book

Autism in the workplace cover

Chapman University faculty -- Drs. Amy E. Hurley-Hanson, Cristina Giannantonio and Amy Jane Griffiths -- recently had a book published that explores how to improve employment and career experiences for individuals with ASD. The empirical data included in the book was one of the first research projects that TPI supported. The data was presented at a DisAbility Summit and will now reach an even larger audience through the publication of the book. The book, Autism in the Workplace: Creating Positive Employment and Career Outcomes for Generation A, can be purchased through Amazon


January 30, 2020 - TPI Team is Editor for International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education

Cover of IEJEE journal

Drs. Audri Sandoval-Gomez, Meghan Cosier, and Don Cardinal of TPI were the editors of a Special Issue in the International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education (IEJEE). In addition to editing, they had an article on inclusion published in the issue. Chapman faculty members, Drs. Amy-Jane Griffiths and Angel Miles Nash, along with TPI's Graduate Research Assistant, Sneha Kohli Mathur, also had an article published on preparing girls with disabilities for STEM careers. To read the issue, please visit IEJEE.


January 28, 2020 - New Partnership Signed with Thompson Autism Center at CHOC Children's

TPI team at CHOC opening

TPI will extend the successful Families and Schools Together (FAST) program to the Thompson Autism Center at CHOC Children's. This program helps families, schools, and community service partners to collaborate with one another in order to build an effective, high-quality learning plan for each individual child. The program will be open to serve families this fall. To learn more about this program, please visit the blog


November 19, 2019 - William and Nancy Thompson Family Foundation Honored at Chapman's State of Research Event

Bill & Nancy Thompson at Gala

The William and Nancy Thompson Family Foundation was recognized at the Second Annual State of Research and Creative Activity for their support of TPI. The William and Nancy Thompson Family Foundation has become a leader in the United States for autism-related research, legislation, and supports. For more information about the award ceremony, please read the blog post about the event.


 

November 7, 2019 - TPI Welcomes New Research Director

Dr. Meghan Cosier presenting at DisAbility Summit

Meghan Cosier, Ph.D., has joined TPI to further TPI's mission to bring inclusive education to schools. Dr. Cosier is also the Director of Teacher Education in the Attallah College of Educational Studies. Her work focuses on systematic development and implementation of inclusive supports and services, and the role of leadership teams in sustainable school reform. Dr. Cosier's scholarly research interests include inclusive education, school reform, teacher preparation, and professional development. 


October 31, 2019 - TPI Receives Gates Foundation Grant

Dr. Audri Gomez presenting at DisAbility Summit

The Thompson Policy Institute received a $417,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a collaborative California Special Education Residency Project. Dr. Audri Gomez, Associate Director of TPI, is the Principal Investigator for the grant. This grant will help fund research and training to remove barriers facing students with disabilities. TPI will team up with University of Kansas and University of Florida for the project. To learn more about this exciting grant, please visit the blog


May 22, 2019 TPI Hosts Policy Summit in Sacramento

 CAIS team at CCTE conference

TPI, as part of the California Alliance for Inclusive Schooling (CAIS), hosted the Policy Summit on Disability during the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE) conference. Megan Gross, California Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist, gave the keynote address on preparation toward inclusive schooling. CAIS also presented a policy panel that examined what is next for inclusive education in California. 


April 19, 2020 - TPI Presents the 4th Annual DisAbility Summit

Dr. Villa prresenting at DisAbility Summit

Dr. Richard Villa presented the keynote address titled, "Advocating for Inclusive Education: What can one person do?" TPI research associates presented on the state of inclusive education in California school districts and on making STEM education inclusive for girls and women with disabilities. The director of TLC, Dr. Jessica Tunney, presented on inclusion in action. To learn more about the 4th Annual DisAbility Summit, please read the blog post or visit the 2019 DisAbility Summit page


February 12, 2019 - TPI Hosts OCDE Workshop on Inclusive Education

OCDE Workshop

TPI, in collaboration with OCDE, hosted a full-day interactive workshop for educators throughout Orange County. Dr. Jacqueline Thousand and Richard Villa lead the workshop on differentation of instruction in inclusive classrooms. The workshop was made possible through the Inclusion Technical Assistance Collaborative (I-TAC) grant. For more information about the I-TAC grant or the OCDE workshop, please read the blog post


Oct. 29, 2018 - California Alliance for Inclusive Schooling

Slogan: Here to build a more equitable future

The California Alliance for Inclusive Schooling held its first organizational meeting. The mission of the Alliance is to support, unify, and promote efforts to increase inclusive schooling in California. Learn more about the California Alliance for Inclusive Schooling.


Aug. 20, 2018 - Collaborating for Mental WELLth in the Schools

Wooden blocks that spell Mental Health

Amy Jane Griffiths, PhD, NCSP and member of the Orange County Transition Initiative speaks about the rising number of individuals especially children and adolescents impacted by mental health. Griffiths believes that schools can play a major role in mental health prevention and intervention process and that the most effective way to do so is through collaborating for mental WELLth.


May 7, 2018 - 3rd Annual DisAbility Summit

Collage of the previous disability summit. Pictures include event speakers such as Dr. Don Cardinal

TPI hosts its 3rd Annual DisAbility Summit


Mar. 22, 2018 - Transforming Family: Foster Youth with Disabilities

Anne Steketee, blog post author

Anne Steketee, M.Ed., discusses the foster care transition system for young people with disabilities.


Mar. 7, 2018 - Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Feature

Shayne Brophy
Meet Shayne Brophy who has an interest in how student's self-concepts are impacted by disability labeling.


Feb. 22, 2018 - Perceptions of Disability in the Vietnamese American Community

Kim Dieu, blog post author 
Kim Dieu, educational psychologist at the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Families and Schools Together) and doctoral student at Chapman University, discusses the different perceptions of disability within the Vietnamese American Community.


Feb. 12, 2018 - TPI Graduate Research Assistant Feature

Sneha Kohli Mathur
Meet Sneha Kohli Mathur, who has a research focus on transition to adulthood for individuals on the spectrum.


Jan. 22, 2018 - Person-First Language and What it Means to Me by Adriana Smith

Adriana Smith, blog post author

Adriana Smith shares her thoughts on the importance of Person-First Language.


Nov. 2, 2017 - Sarah Stup

Sarah Stup, blog post author
Sarah Stup, an author with autism, shares her thoughts on her educational journey and inclusion.


Oct. 24, 2017 - Meghan Cosier, Ph.D.

Dr. Meghan Cosier

The Thompson Policy Institute and the Attallah College of Educational Studies welcomes Dr. Meghan Cosier back to Chapman University!


Oct. 24, 2017 - Audri Gomez, Ph.D.

Dr. Audri Gomez

Learn more about Dr. Audri Gomez, the new Associate Director at TPI, in her interview.


Oct. 13, 2017 – TPI Team at the Autism Center Gala

TPI team at the Autism Center Gala


Oct. 6, 2017 – Transition to Work by Linda O'Neal

Linda O'Neal, blog post author

Transition Specialist and long-time educator, Linda O'Neal, discusses the key factors in the transition to work process on TPI's blog.


Oct. 3, 2017 – Don Cardinal – Million Dollar Club

Don Cardinal, TPI director, with the Million Dollar Club award

Dr. Don Cardinal receives Chapman University's Million Dollar Club for his work. Read more about the Million Dollar Club.


Sept. 12, 2017 - Melissa Shang by Robert A. Slayton, Ph.D.

Robert Slayton, blog post author

In his blog, Robert Slayton, Ph.D. writes about Melissa Shang and her accomplishments. Melissa Shang is a 14-year-old author who was born with a form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. To learn more about Melissa Shang, read Slayton's article.


Aug. 27, 2017 – TPI team and friends with Bruno Serato at Caterina’s Club Red Carpet Gala

TPI team with Bruno Serato


July 14, 2017 - A Wish for Authentic Disability Representation on Television to Continue
by Beth Haller, Ph.D.

Beth Haller, blog post author

Beth Haller, Ph.D. is one of the first mass communication scholars to study the representation of disability is mass media. She discusses the importance of authentic disability representation on television and its effects.


May 2, 2017 – Stephen Hinkle’s standing ovation from the 2nd Annual Disability Summit

Stephen Hinkle's standing ovation

Keynote speaker, Stephen Hinkle, receives a standing ovation at TPI's 2nd Annual DisAbility Summit. Interested in Hinkle's work? Read his post, Pushing societal limits, on TPI's blog.


May 3, 2016 – Inaugural Disability Summit and photo

TPI's 1st Annual DisAbility Summit Summary of Findings Report cover

TPI hosts its first ever Inaugural DisAbility Summit. Learn more about the DisAbility Summit.


Oct. 6, 2016 – Thompson Policy Institute announced

Don with Thompson family and check

William S. and Nancy E. Thompson Foundation donates $3 million to Chapman University to establish the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability and Autism.