Archived Webinar: Including People with Disabilities: Public Health Workforce Competencies
Hosted by: University of Montana Rural Institute for Inclusive communities, with the Montana Disability and Health Program.
This webinar is a recording of a recent brown bag colloquium with Dr. Adriane Griffen from the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) on how public health can improve the health, employment and participation of people with disabilities. More information on the Including People with Disabilities: Public Health Workforce Competencies may be found here. View the webinar here
Health is for Everyone Action Team
With support from the Working for Inclusive and Transformative Healthcare Foundation, AUCD formed and led an action team to address developmental disability training in medical education. Thanks to this action team, a resolution entitled Inclusion of Developmental Disabilities curriculum in undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education of physicians, has now passed the American Medical Association House of Delegates. This is the first time that such a resolution on developmental disabilities has been adopted. With this support, new health care access resources have been added to AUCD's Public Health is for Everyone online toolkit. Check out these resources and reach out to your medical education colleagues to support them in learning about developmental disabilities.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Updates Guidance for Infants Born to Mothers with Possible Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated interim clinical guidance for health care providers caring for infants born to mothers with possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. This update includes information that has become available since the August 2016 release of the previous guidance. The updated recommendations emphasize that it is important for pediatric health care providers to assess risk of congenital Zika virus infection, to communicate closely with obstetrical providers, and to remain alert for any problems that may develop in infants without birth defects, born to mothers with possible Zika virus exposure during pregnancy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is Pleased to Announce the Launch of CDC's Milestone Tracker
Is your child's development on track for his or her age? Now you can find out with CDC's new free Milestone Tracker app. The app makes it easy for parents to track, support, and celebrate their young child's development.
"Skills like taking a first step, saying those first words, and waving 'bye-bye' are developmental milestones all parents anticipate and celebrate," said CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D. "This CDC Milestone Tracker app gives parents tips to help their child learn and grow, a way to track developmental milestones, recognize delays, and the ability to share this information with their healthcare provider."
The new app offers
- Milestone checklists for children ages 2 months through 5 years, illustrated with photos and videos.
- Tips and activities to help children learn and grow.
- Information on when to act early and talk with a doctor about a developmental concern.
- A personalized milestone summary that can be easily shared with the doctor and other care providers.
- Reminders for appointments and developmental screening.
Learn more and get information on downloading the app at CDC's Milestone Tracker website.
Support Hurricane Recovery in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
AUCD is currently accepting monetary donations to help support our Centers and DD networks in Puerto Rico (PR) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to meet the needs of people with disabilities in their Territories in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. All contributions will be funneled directly to the Territory or Territories that you designate. Financial donations now being accepted here.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer. Depressive episodes linked to the summer can occur, but are much less common than winter episodes of SAD. Read more...
Highlights from the Network
Coordinating Transitions of Care
Health care transitions from pediatric to adult medicine for young adults with special health needs are highly problematic and result in increased health disparities and poorer outcomes. This is a persistent and systemic problem of access. A lack of protocols, tools, and inconsistent training for care coordination exists at all levels.
The Center for Disabilities, a University Center for excellence in Developmental Disabilities located at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, has developed and implemented two tools (Transition Engagement Guide and DocTalk), developed collaboratively with families, I/DD patients, pediatricians, nurses and other health professionals to facilitate successful healthcare transitions. The Transition Engagement Guide is a scripted dialog assessing the young adult's current assets, opportunities and connections key to making transitions; it also facilitates action planning. DocTalk is a communication "cue card" helping patients actively participate in medical appointments. Third Year Pediatric Residents and Genetics Counseling graduate students receive training [both didactic and experiential] using these tools to address the health care transition needs of young adults with disabilities.
The Center for Disabilities recently replicated this training with "inter-professional teams" of nurses [from pediatric, adult and family practice]. Transition is a care coordination issue. Given their role in clinical practice, nurses are the most viable group to implement these tools as a matter of routine care coordination. The better the coordination across the lifespan, the more successful the transition. Training inter-professional teams in a "shared space" allowed them to develop a common knowledge of the tools and learn "how" to implement them in a more coordinated fashion. Nurses are implementing these tools in their home practices. Qualitative and quantitative data specific to successes and barriers to implementation is being collected. Interpretation of that data will then drive development of new tools and practices for improving care coordination as well as future research and model development.
This activity was funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Community Living and the Special Hope (WITH) Foundation.
For more information please contact Richard Parent-Johnson, PhD or Emily Meier, MA at 1-800-658-3080 or email.
Announcing the REDDy Directory
The REDDy Directory is designed for case managers and individuals with disabilities seeking resources and services provided to Hurricane Harvey survivors. The REDDy Directory is a collaboration between the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University, the Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas Austin, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the Administration for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Read more...
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Partners with Cincinnati LEND Program
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (CZBG), in partnership with the Cincinnati Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) program, was recently awarded a Museums for America grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to advance its goal of becoming one of the nation's most welcoming, accessible, and inclusive zoos for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Read more...
Florida Center for Inclusive Communities XCEL Training
The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) has launched a new educational resource. XCEL is designed to give quick tips in an entertaining way to reception/support staff who interact with people with developmental disabilities in healthcare settings. It comprises of a 7 minute animated video, a fact sheet, and highlights other resources that are helpful. View the website here.
Cultural and Linguistic Competence Health Practitioner Assessment

The Georgetown University NCCC released a new self-guided learning activity focused on cultural and linguistic competence. The CLCHPA is designed to enhance the delivery of high quality services for diverse patient/client populations, and promote cultural and linguistic approaches to addressing health and healthcare disparities. Read more here.
Upcoming Events
Mark your Calendars for the AUCD4all 2018 Gala
Tuesday, March 20, 2018, Washington, DC
The AUCD for All celebration brings together leaders from all sectors who are tireless advocates for disability rights, equity, and inclusion. These leaders advocate with their legislature to open scholarships to students with intellectual disabilities, engage with their Medicaid agency to guarantee home and community based supports, partner with local school boards or school districts to eliminate policies for restraint and seclusion, and train and empower self-advocates and early career professionals to have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their communities. On this night we honor those who are transforming policy and leading the way toward inclusion, opportunity, and social justice for all. Find more information here.
2018 AMCHP Annual Conference
February 10-13, 2018 Arlington, VA
Registration is now open for the 2018 AMCHP Annual Conference. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to connect and network with more than 800 public health officials who share an interest in maternal and child health. The AMCHP 2018 Annual Conference will be held Feb.10-13, 2018, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va., just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The theme is "Staying Focused: The Enduring Commitment of MCH to Families and Outcomes." Register by Jan. 5 to receive an early bird discount! For resources about the Annual Conference, such as links to registration, speakers and schedules, click here.
Aging in America
March 26-29, 2018, San Francisco, CA
Registration is now open for Aging in America, the annual conference of the American Society on Aging. The conference, taking place in San Francisco, March 26-29, 2018, is known for its comprehensive view of the issues, challenges and opportunities in aging. It is the place to connect with peers, refresh your knowledge and gain new perspectives. Register now to join this conference community of nearly 3,000 multidisciplinary professionals who, like you, are working to improve the lives of older adults.
Apply Now! 2018 Spring NCCC Leadership Academy
April 30 - May 3, 2018, Santa Fe, NM

The Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence is offering a Leadership Academy to advance and sustain cultural diversity and cultural and linguistic competence in networks supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities. This Academy is part of the Leadership Institute for Cultural Diversity and Cultural and Linguistic Competence funded through Cooperative Agreement #90DI0001-01-00 from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), Administration on Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Leadership Academy is designed to develop and enhance knowledge and skills for leadership that is directed toward change within the social-cultural contexts of the intellectual, developmental and other disabilities network. The Academy is intended to support individuals currently or interested in assuming leadership to advance and sustain cultural diversity and cultural and linguistic competence (CLC) within their respective settings. For more information click here.
Helpful Resources
The Important Role of Faith-based Organizations in Fighting Diabetes
The Important Role of Faith-based Organizations in Fighting Diabetes. In this webinar, speakers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight the CDC National Diabetes Education Program's Faith Leaders Toolkit. This easy-to-use resource features tip sheets, webinars, videos, social media messages, and other materials that make it easy for you to spread the word about type 2 diabetes, organize type 2 diabetes prevention and diabetes management activities in your community, and create an environment that supports healthy choices. View webinar.
Inclusive Fitness Benefits Everyone

At Special Olympics, our mission is to provide sports opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. In order for our athletes to truly perform at their best, they must be fit and healthy. Learn about the ways Special Olympics encourages year-round fitness here.
New Fact Sheet: How to Make Healthcare Accessible for All
The Healthy Aging and Physical Disability Rehabilitation Research and Training Center released a new fact sheet titled "How to Make Healthcare Accessible for All." This resource provides an overview of health gaps and barriers to healthcare access faced by Americans with disabilities, and recommended strategies on how to overcome these challenges. Read more...
New NACCHO Fact Sheet: Five Steps for Inclusive Health Promotion
NACCHO's Health and Disability program recently released a new fact sheet, titled "Five Steps for Inclusive Promotion," now available via the NACCHO Health and Disability webpage. This four-page resource provides health department staff with five action steps for the development and delivery of inclusive health promotion programs and activities. Read more...
New Health & Disability E-Learning Module for Health Department Staff
NACCHO's Health and Disability Program is proud to announce a new online e-learning module titled, "Health and Disability 101: Training for Health Department Employees." The purpose of this training is to educate health department staff about the benefits of including people with disabilities in all public health programs, products and services. Read more...
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