Instructor: Heather Waddell is the Executive Director for Tri-Development Center (TDC) of Aiken County, Inc. She has served in many roles during her tenure with the agency (almost 27 years). Heather is committed to maintaining a focus on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities and special needs and improving services. She has a BS in Sociology from Georgia Southern University and an MS in Business from Southern Wesleyan University. Description: Discover the history and heart of Tri-Development Center and its lasting impact on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Aiken County. Students will gain insight into the agency’s founding, its evolution over the years, and the innovative programs and services that have shaped the lives of countless individuals and families. The course will also examine how Tri-Development Center has adapted to changing needs, policies, and best practices while remaining steadfast in its commitment to dignity, independence, and inclusion. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of the critical role community-based providers, like Tri-Development Center, play in strengthening local systems of care and advancing opportunities for those with disabilities.