The Path Begins
Paths begins as a program to support families in South Texas experiencing grief and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Paths
Accessible grief and loss resources created with and for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Helping you understand grief,
one step at a time
What is Paths?
Paths is a project that helps adults with IDD learn about grief and loss.
Paths includes accessible videos and companion booklets that use clear words, pictures, and activities to help people understand grief, share their feelings, and learn ways to feel better.
Paths was created with adults with IDD and people who support them. Community members helped us decide what was important to include and how to make the resources easier to understand and use.
The resources can also help family members, caregivers, service providers, healthcare professionals, and others better understand and support grief and loss among adults with IDD.
Community Partners
Paths was created with the support and guidance of our community. Adults with IDD, families, caregivers, service providers, and community organizations have shared their experiences, ideas, and feedback throughout the project.
We are grateful to the organizations that have partnered with us to help make Paths meaningful, accessible, and useful for the IDD community.
Our community partners include:
Alexander Jewish Family Services Celebration Company
Bo’s Place
Bridges to Possibilities
Easter Seals Greater Houston
Harris County Commissioner Precinct 4
Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Noah’s House
Pursuit Center
Reach Unlimited
The Brookwood Community
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
University of Northern Colorado College of Osteopathic Medicine
UTHealth Houston
Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Paths is a project at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research Center for Community and Public Health. The Center works with communities to conduct research and develop solutions that support health and well-being.
The project is led by Luz M. Garcini, PhD, MPH, Director of the Center for Community and Public Health, and Kathryn Gonzalez, who manages the project’s development and implementation.
For questions about Paths, resources, or opportunities to connect with our team, please contact Kathryn Gonzalez at Kathryn.O.Gonzalez@rice.edu .
Project Numbers
Paths for Healing is a free program that helps people learn about grief and loss.
- 1,200+ people served
- 200+ resources available
- 18 project contributors
- 2 languages
Project Timeline
A New Path
With funding from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, Paths begins a new focus on grief and loss among adults with IDD.
Learning from the IDD Community
A research study helps us learn about the grief and loss experiences and needs of adults with IDD, families, caregivers, and service providers. Learning from the community continues throughout the project.
Creating Together
Adults with IDD and community organizations help create accessible videos and companion booklets about grief and loss.
Sharing Paths
The new Paths resources launch and become available to adults with IDD, families, caregivers, providers, and the broader community.