From Conference to Community Impact: How NBA’s HSS Grant Helped Woodhaven Elevate Disability Inclusion

Over the last three years, NBA’s Health & Social Service (HSS) Leadership Development Grants have opened opportunities for leaders to expand their knowledge base and skillset. For Woodhaven Learning Center, the grant meant the ability to send staff to an important industry conference.

“NBA’s HSS Leadership Development Grant supported the attendance of Woodhaven staff at the 2025 Disability:IN Global Conference,” said Danielle Winton, Grants Manager at Woodhaven. “This conference provided national thought leadership and information on cutting-edge practices that can be used to deliver stronger outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”

The Disability: IN Global Conference brings together disability inclusion leaders, corporate partners, and nonprofit organizations to share cutting-edge strategies for advancing equity and employment opportunities for individuals with IDD. Staff who attended heard about incorporating accessibility into facility and technology designs; developing inclusive cultures; building pathways to employment for IDD individuals; and collecting data analytics to demonstrate progress to partner organizations.

Woodhaven, a Health & Social Services Partner of NBA, is a caring team advocating for those with disabilities in the Columbia, Missouri area, working together to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities succeed. They offer community-based support through living units for over 100 men and women, provide access to skill-building and engagement, and empower young adults with autism or other barriers to full employment in tech-based career paths. 

According to Winton, the learnings from the Disability:IN conference are already paying dividends. “NBA’s investment provided us with access to national thought leadership that would not have been possible otherwise, and the knowledge gained is already informing concrete program updates, organizational strategy, and long-term impact for individuals with IDD in the Columbia community,” she said. For example, Woodhaven has partnered with the Columbia (Missouri) Public Schools’ Seamless Transition through Enhanced Partnerships (STEP) Program to offer transitional employment services. The STEP Program helps students with developmental disabilities transition from high school to employment by providing a year of intensive, real-world job training and academic support, instead of a traditional senior year, focusing on skills for job success through internships and mentorships with local businesses.

NBA is currently accepting applications for HSS Leadership Development Grants through February 4^th, 2026. How can this grant benefit your organization, as it did for Woodhaven? Learn more and apply today!