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DD Network Collaboration


AZ-Sonoran UCEDD
Program Type UCEDD Fiscal Year 2020
Contact Wendy Parent-Johnson, Ph.D., CRC, CESP
Email [email protected]    
Phone 520-626-0080    
Project Description
The Sonoran UCEDD works with the other DD Network members in a strategic manner to positively impact individuals with disabilities and their families. All four DD network partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding describing our coordinated activities on a yearly basis. Partners meet at least quarterly, and usually monthly, to identify common issues and activities to further the goals of the DD Act. Joint activities each year include: a AZ DD Network newsletter highlighting each partner and joint initiatives and activities; a joint training event (e.g., Border Conference on Disabilities, African American Conference on Disabilities); and AZ DD Network tables and booths at disability related events. In addition, the following Sonoran UCEDD areas of emphasis/objectives are jointly shared goals and objectives of its DD Network partners in their respective plans: 1) Improving Employment Opportunity for People with DD; 2) Outreach to Native American, Hispanic and Underserved Populations in the State.

The ADDN and partners (state DD agency and PTI) are working with Georgetown University's National Center for Cultural Competence in developing a Community of Practice on Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Developmental Disabilities (CoP) to increase the number, diversity, and capacity of formal and informal leaders to transform their state/territorial developmental disabilities (DD) systems by: (1) advancing and sustaining cultural and linguistic competence (CLC) systemically through changes in values, policy, structures, and practices; and (2) responding effectively to the growing cultural and linguistic diversity among people with DD and their families who reside in states, territories, and tribal nations. Over a five-year period we have committed to this system transformation initiative and to develop a transformation plan for AZ.