Project Description:
The USC UCEDD is one of three UCEDDs in California. Among the first UAPs funded in 1966 at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the USC UCEDD has a $13.7 million annual budget and is home to a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) interdisciplinary graduate training program funded by the Maternal Child Health Bureau, two APA-accredited graduate psychology training programs (Internship and Fellowship), an ACGME-accredited Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Training program; and an ASCEND-accredited Dietetic Internship Program. The UCEDD is home to a large clinical services program funded by the LA County Department of Mental Health and a number of smaller contracts to provide community-based services to high-risk infants, mental health and nutrition consultation to Head Start, medical consultations to school systems to assure least restrictive environments for children with complex medical and behavioral issues, to name a few. We are also home to one of the largest Spina Bifida centers in the nation, the only Rett Syndrome Clinic in southern CA, Nevada and Arizona, and a longstanding interdisciplinary Feeding Clinic. Our 5-year plan will focus on critical needs within our state which include the impact of the state budget on services for individuals with DD, the need for behavioral health services, supporting model programs in the state to promote employment for individuals with DD, transition from pediatric to adult health care for individuals with complex needs, transition to post-secondary education for youth and young adults with a variety of disabilities, promoting choice and self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities through self-determination training in schools and supporting an emphasis on and training in self-directed IEPs, supporting parents and self-advocates to shape responsive systems of service and policies, and addressing disparities in access to services individuals with DD who are members of culturally and linguistically diverse groups. The USC UCEDD is also focused on preparing the DD workforce for 2040, when there will be no majority ethnic group in the U.S. We have two minority pipeline grants which target exposing undergraduates from California State University LA, a minority serving institution, to consider careers in neurodevelopmental disabilities and related disorders. Our programs are singularly focused on underrepresented minorities entering and graduating from quality graduate programs and learning to become effective leaders in systems reform. Our program engages in capacity building activities which strengthens community-based solutions to gaps in mainstream services. Three groups are targeted for technical assistance in our 5-year plan: the California Supported Employment Demonstration Project, RASopathies Network USA, and Phase 2 technical assistance to Opening Doors to Multi-Cultural Disability Communities.
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services, Demonstration Services
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Another State, Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
