Voices from People with Lived Experiences

Jordan Smelley is a Mental Health Peer Support Specialist and People Planning Together Trainer in Texas and a person in long-term recovery from Intellectual and Developmental Differences with Co-occurring Mental Health challenges. Jordan partly defines his own recovery in relation to the opportunities  available to present and educate the community on topics around supporting persons with IDD.

Jordan was awarded the 2023 American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Texas Chapter’s Empowerment Award for Excellence in Promotion of Self-Advocacy and the 2024 AAIDD Texas Chapter Dr. Ollie Seay Knowledge Award for Excellence in Education or Research.

This project is a collaborative partnership with Better LIves, LP, AACOG and Money Follows the Person.

To Register please email: ewilliams@aacog.gov

Elisa Williams, DC

IDD Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Transition Support Team, Alamo Area of Governments