Community Living Policy Center

Welcome to the Community Living Policy Center!

People with disabilities and older adults in the United States have the right to live in the community, but systemic barriers and inconsistent federal, state, and local policies can prevent them from exercising their rights. The Community Living Policy Center, or CLPC, at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University, conducts research on the provision and quality of home- and community-based service programs for people with disabilities in the United States.

The Community Living Policy Center receives grant funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Happening Now at the CLPC

Disability Identity and Pride in Equity Research: Community Living Equity Center webinar

The Community Living Equity Center's first webinar, Disability Identity and Pride in Equity Research, centered the voices of members of CLEC's Community Advisory Committee. With a brief introduction of the CLEC mission and guiding principles, researchers discuss gaps in equity research and self-advocates shared their perspectives on disability, identity, and representation within research.

Access the ReCORDING of Disability Identity & Pride in Equity Research

Community Living Policy Center State of the Science 2023

This virtual event consisted of 3 webinars that brought together researchers, advocates, and other disability community stakeholders to discuss current research, gaps in knowledge, needs of the community, and opportunities to advance community living policy. These discussions will help inform our work and the work of other researchers and research funders to help shape access to equitable and person-centered home and community-based services in the future.

Visit our information page to access webinar recordings and slides

Let us know your views by taking the survey on community living policy.

CLPC's Director, Joe Caldwell, Awarded NARRTC's Commendation Award for 2023

Congratulations to Joe Caldwell for being awarded NARRTC's prestigious Commendation Award for 2023.

According to NARRTC: "Commendations are awarded by NARRTC for research, teaching, service, knowledge translation, or advocacy in the field of disability for specific, focused activities or achievements. Commendations recognize important contributions that strategically or creatively advance the field and/of disability." Well deserved, Joe!

Read more about Joe

Call for Papers on Community Living Policy

Community Living Policy has reached a pivotal moment in American history. The number of individuals needing long-term services and support (LTSS) will more than double in the coming decades with the aging of the population. The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on individuals with LTSS needs and highlighted needs to accelerate shifts away from congregate and institutional settings.

To respond to the current gaps in research and policy, the Disability and Health Journal is calling for papers that address a wide range of pressing needs.

Read More and Submit Your Paper

Self-Directing Services and Supports during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our collected resources on self-directing services and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic include a new article, a brief, and a short video summary.

CLPC in the News

Links between Unmet Needs & Adverse Outcomes

Our study highlights links between unmet needs for home and community-based services and adverse health and community-living outcomes.

Read about the Study

The Better Care Better Jobs Act

Henry Claypool, a national policy expert for CLPC, is cited in a widely republished story for his expertise on the BCBJ Act, which would provide much-needed investment so disabled people and the elderly may receive better care in their homes.

Read the news story

A related new CLPC brief explains why people with disabilities and older adults need home and community-based services and how the BCBJ Act will help them get in-home care.

Read the brief

Feature Story on the CLPC

The critical research work of the CLPC and its partners to advance community living policies is featured in the Heller Magazine's summer 2021 issue. The story underscores how the COVID-19 pandemic shows why disability communities must be a part of research and policy development. 

Read the profile