Information & Navigation
A clear starting point for a complex question
You do not need to know which CBSI service, initiative, or team member is the perfect fit before reaching out. Share what you are trying to understand, improve, develop, or evaluate, and a CBSI Navigator can help identify a useful starting point.
Listen First
Clarify the question before selecting a service
Information & Navigation is an entry pathway for prospective partners, participants, practitioners, organizations, funders, students, and community members. The initial exchange focuses on understanding the question, the people and settings involved, what has already been tried, and the decision or change the inquiry is intended to support.
A brief inquiry is enough to begin; a completed plan or formal service request is not required. More detailed planning can follow after the team clarifies fit, scope, timing, and the people who should be involved.
Start Here When
See when this is the right starting point
- You have a question or opportunity but are not sure which CBSI capability fits.
- You are deciding among training, consultation, implementation, workforce, organizational, systems, or evaluation support.
- The issue reaches across people, professional roles, teams, organizations, sectors, or service systems.
- You are exploring a project, funding opportunity, research or evaluation need, or cross-sector partnership.
- You need help locating a relevant CBSI resource, initiative, event, team member, or connected center.
- You are unsure whether CBSI, HANDS, IRCA, another IIDC center, or an external organization is the most appropriate route.
What to Share
The first message can be simple
- What you are trying to understand, improve, develop, or decide.
- Who is involved or affected and the settings in which the issue occurs.
- What has already been tried, learned, or documented.
- The anticipated timeframe, urgency, or upcoming decision point.
- Existing data, resources, partners, or funding status when relevant.
- What a useful next step would look like from your perspective.
From Question to Next Step
Depending on the request, CBSI may share a relevant resource, connect the inquiry with a Navigator or project lead, recommend a training or consultation pathway, explore an implementation or evaluation partnership, or make a transparent handoff to another center or organization.
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Share | Describe the question, goal, people, and setting. |
| Clarify | Identify what is known, what needs to be learned, and which decision or outcome matters most. |
| Connect | Bring in the capability, initiative, team member, center, or external partner that best fits the request. |
| Plan | Agree on the next action, scope, timeline, roles, and any information needed to move forward. |
Connected Routes
HANDS in Autism®
Autism- and disability-focused training, tools, coaching, consultation, and current HANDS services.
Indiana Resource Center for Autism
Statewide Indiana autism information, resources, school support, and community guidance.
CBSI Research
Applied research, research partnerships, program evaluation, findings, measures, and needs-assessment work.
IIDC & External Partners
Complementary expertise or services when another route is a better fit.