Date of Conferral

7-9-2025

Degree

Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.)

School

Human Services

Advisor

Teresa Tirrito

Abstract

Despite occupying a central role in the developmental disabilities systems of 48 states, SC do not have a voice in program or policy development and are not well represented in the disabilities literature. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of SC who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in southeastern Pennsylvania. The theoretical lenses through which the study was viewed were Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Wolfensberger’s social role valorization. The study was guided by research questions aimed at illuminating the intensity of support coordinators’ experiences by uncovering how they experience and define their role in the Pennsylvania disabilities system. Through a heuristic phenomenological design, purposive snowball sampling was used to identify study participants. Semi structured individual interviews were used to identify major themes, which were then analyzed through Colaizzi’s strategy for theme analysis. The major themes uncovered by this study include that most newly hired staff are ill-prepared for the role, underpaid, underappreciated, under supported, and seen primarily by the service system as dispensable and replaceable. The implications for social change include greater voice of SC in policy discussions, improved pay rates for SC, and dedicated curriculums at the undergraduate and graduate level for those who want to enter the disabilities field.

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