The Human Development Center (HDC) and the Early Intervention Institute (EII) are companion programs in addressing issues along the life span of individuals with special needs and those who support them. We work together to share experience in topics of mutual concern and contribute to systems change where special expertise or the entire age span is involved.

These programs share a common history. The HDC was established about four decades ago as the federally designated "University Affiliated Program" for Louisiana. In this role, the Center attended to topics related to developmental disabilities across the life span, but emphasized early childhood. In these years, HDC built exceptional expertise and showed outstanding productivity in projects of early intervention/early childhood. In fact, this strength was recognized by repeated Peer Review (accreditation) teams and caused them to suggest these programs of HDC be formally organized into an "institute" so they might benefit from explicit recognition and the support this implies within systems of higher education.

In late 1999, the Louisiana Board of Regents approved the Early Intervention Institute as a distinct entity. At the same time, HDC continued its programs addressing topics related to meeting needs of individuals older than early childhood, including school-age, adult, and elder.

Even with this distinction, HDC and EII continue to work together. This collaboration is primarily so we can share expertise in early programs, for example, in developing intensive early programs requiring EII expertise and benefiting from HDC strengths in behavioral science. in addition, EII and HDC share an appreciation that a full life view is appropriate for each program and each individual, their families, and their communities. Furthermore, each program has an array of professional views and strengths understood to be important to share for the benefit of both, for example, for developing curricula or community change strategies.

Formalized aspects of our relationship include the HDC and EII jointly the same Consumer Advisory Council (defined by the federal DD Act) for input and review. In addition, personnel of EII, as well as HDC, report to the National Information Reporting System (NIRS) and participate in the federal Monitoring and Technical Assistance Review System (MTARS) required by the DD Act.