Welcome to the Research and Innovation for Social and Economic Inclusion (RISEI) Lab
Catalyzing Change through Research, Innovation, and Empowerment
Our mission is to drive transformative change by conducting cutting-edge research, offering innovative policy recommendations, and providing comprehensive training and educational services.
Unleashing Potential, Shaping Inclusive Tomorrows
We envision a future where every individual, regardless of their social or economic background, has the opportunity to thrive. Our lab seeks to be at the forefront of shaping evidence-based policies and programs that create meaningful impacts on people’s lives.
Featured Project: Maine Department of Labor – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Maine’s Pathways to Partnerships Project proposes a new model that leverages the expertise and fiscal and staffing resources of the Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) and Alpha One – Maine’s Center for Independent Living (CIL) and partners with three Local Educational Agencies as pilot sites with the goal of development of a collaborative innovative systemic model to effectively improve transition services across agencies to increase CIE for children and youth with disabilities in Maine.
Virginia EPIC Project
The overall goal of the RPRJ EPIC project is to effectively eliminate subminimum wage employment (SWE) in Virginia. The project will support transition of individuals with disabilities (IWD) currently in SWE to competitive integrated income (CIE) and will prevent youth with disabilities, particularly youth who are students currently in receipt of services through a Medicaid Waiver, from pursuing SWE or nonintegrated employment.
