The Mosaic Collaborative
Research Projects
The Mosaic Collaborative partners with various colleges and universities, advocacy organizations, international NGOs (non-governmental organizations), state coalitions and others to conduct research on current disability issues and trends.
Transference of Social Technology
One of the current research projects underway is being conducted in partnership with the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Called the Social Technology Transfer for Persons with a Disability: An International Social Welfare Analysis, its aim is to identify whether a model of service development exists that is transferable across cultures and societies. It is a two-year project that is gathering data from seven countries (US, Great Britain, China, Latvia, Romania, Dominican Republic, and Tanzania). Results of this project will provide a guide for Mosaic and other organizations in the development of future international projects.
DSP Workforce Crisis
The Mosaic Collaborative is also working with ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources) to research data on the growing workforce crisis among direct support professionals -- the very people whom individuals with disabilities depend on to assist with their daily activities of living. The aim is to compile national data that can be used to develop evidence-based recommendations that can be used by policymakers to benefit organizations in the recruitment and retention of skilled and caring direct support professionals.
Quality of Life
The quality of life for persons with disabilities continues to be an important area of research among the disability community. All our lives are enhanced by social ties with other people -- families, friends, neighbors, social groups, and co-workers. Social ties produce reciprocity, which in turn builds trust. The social ties and trust people develop is known as "social capital," which is closely tied to the level of quality of life individuals experience.
To study this further, the Mosaic Collaborative is undertaking two critical projects. The first project has a national focus. It is being developed in partnership with Gallup and CQL (The Council on Quality and Leadership) to examine the quality of life for individuals with disabilities across the country.
The second project has a state-specific focus. By working with agencies in Iowa through a statewide demonstration project, the aim is to evaluate the quality of life of individuals with disabilities as they transition from state institutions to community-based settings.
