Janet Shouse

Janet Shouse is the program coordinator for the IDD Toolkit, an online resource for medical professionals to better serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also coordinates training activities to help build the capacity of primary care providers as well as other clinicians to treat adults with IDD.

She is the study coordinator for Dr. Beth Malow’s Project ECHO Autism Adult Healthcare program, which is aimed at enhancing the ability of primary care physicians, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to care for adults on the autism spectrum. Project ECHO uses live videoconferencing with community providers presenting de-identified patient cases to peers and a team of experienced clinicians and receiving recommendations on care for those patients.

Janet is also part of TennesseeWorks, which seeks to improve the employment landscape for people with disabilities in Tennessee. She writes a regular blog, “Rise to Work," that focuses on issues related to disability and employment.

Part of her work includes participation in the national Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities, a collaboration of eight organizations, including the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. She serves on the advisory board and on the mental health/suicidality workgroup.

Janet has been active in the disability community for many years and has worked on a number of legislative efforts to improve services for Tennesseans with autism and other developmental disabilities. She is the parent of three adult children, including a son with autism.