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AUCD Community Inclusion

AUCD’s Community Inclusion Team supports the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Network in partnership with the Administration for Community Living.

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AUCD Maternal and Child Health Engagement

AUCD’s Maternal and Child Health Engagement supports the Autism CARES Programs, including LEND and DBP Programs.

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AUCD Public Health

AUCD’s Public Health Team works to create health promotion and public health efforts that include people with disabilities.

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AUCD Emerging Leaders Community

AUCD Emerging Leaders are a part of a community that includes trainees, early career professionals, self-advocates, and family members from AUCD member Centers and Programs.

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Project

Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program

Center:

TN-Center on Developmental Disabilities, UCEDD/LEND

Fiscal Year:

2025

Contact Information:

Joyce Carolyn Graff
[email protected]
901-448-3066

Project Description:

The Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program is a comprehensive public/private collaboration designed to support children whose parents are not able to raise them and are being cared for by grandmother, aunt, uncle, or other extended family members. Program staff respect what is unique and special within each family, provide accurate, easy-to-follow information about existing resources available to families, and fill in gaps where services are not available. Particular attention is paid to the health of older family members caring for children. Children and relative caregivers enrolled in the state program can receive supportive services such as information and referrals, access to support groups, respite care, and family advocacy assistance. DCS does not have oversight and the caregiver family does not receive a monthly stipend through the program. Co-Principal Investigators: Bruce Keisling and J. Carolyn Graff FY25: $1,590,600

Keyword(s):

extended family, children at risk for developmental disabilities

Core Function(s):

Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation

Area of Emphasis

Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other

Target Audience:

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

Unserved or Under-served Populations:

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban

Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:

Single-County, State