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Our Work

IEL bridges research, policy, and practice to build equity at the intersections of education, health, and employment.

IEL builds sustainable leadership capacity for leaders across sectors and stages of development.

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Prepare & Support

Growing leaders in the spectrum of education, education policy, and other related fields.

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Mobilize & Connect

Supporting and developing young leaders—including those with disabilities—to be self-advocates and enact positive changes.

How IEL can support YOU

Leadership matters when harmonizing the knowledge, skills and talents that already exist in local communities to achieve equity. IEL supports communities in creating comprehensive systems of support grounded in a framework of collaborative leadership. 
IEL focuses on preparing, supporting, and mobilizing leaders of all ages, stages, and contexts in becoming champions of equity by building their capacity to navigate effectively across sectors, ideologies, and inclusive decision-making. Get engaged individually and in small or large groups:
  • Coaching: Whether developing one program or an entire system, IEL is readily available to instantly respond to your unique circumstances as you navigate the politics, personalities and personal agendas that you just can’t fit into a framework. We have a network of national and local exemplar leaders with lived experiences and vast national knowledge to walk with you on your journey. Contact iel@iel.org.
  • Resources: Our Resource Library contains a vast wealth of tools, templates, guides, and reports that you can use in your work, whether it be Community Schools, Family and Community Engagement, Youth Development, or VR services. Not seeing what you’re looking for? Contact us at communications@iel.org for more support.
  • Professional Development: 
      1. Principal Leadership
      2. Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP)
      3. Family Engagement Audits (contact fce@iel.org)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Learning Labs: Learning Labs provide learning experiences through the exploration of local work, context and dialogue with local leaders and partners and are offered in-person and virtually. IEL specializes in providing VR Learning Labs for a range of partners, from the Massachusetts Commission for the blind to the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. To learn more, check out our Learning Lab resources in Resource Library and contact cwd@iel.org.
  • Networks: Holding true to our belief in the power of community, we accelerate the development of adaptive, collaborative, and distributive leadership along with the scaling best practices through the shared experiences of professionals in peer groups. Learn more about these free opportunities.
  • Youth Development and Mentoring: Are you a mid-level manager of a youth program, looking for ways to sustain and support program impact? We can help with that too. Contact us at cwd@iel.org. IEL’s RAMP project also supports youth with disabilities across the country to plan their careers – learn more here.
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[The] Education Policy Fellowship Program gave me a safe space to use my voice, practice my leadership skills, and build my network...EPFP was a catalyst for me to move to the next level.

DC EPFP Alum