Amy S Hewitt

Amy S Hewitt is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota, where she also serves as Director of the Institute on Community Integration and the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Her research focuses on improving support systems for individuals with developmental disabilities through workforce development, policy analysis, and community engagement initiatives.

• Key affiliations: Institute on Community Integration (MN), Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain
• Funding sources: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Minnesota Office of Higher Education

Her work addresses critical challenges in the direct support professional workforce, including burnout, diversity gaps, and pandemic-related disruptions. She leads national research initiatives like the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on community living for people with disabilities and evaluates telehealth expansion strategies for behavioral health care.

Recent research outputs (2023-2025) analyze:

• COVID-19 vaccination patterns among direct support workers
• Mental/physical health impacts of pandemic stress
• Workforce disparities and retention strategies
• Telehealth accessibility for families

She also contributes to the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium, promoting educational access for individuals with disabilities.