2022-2023 AUCD Children's Mental Health Champions
November 22, 2022
![]() |
AUCD’s National Center on Disability in Public Health continues its work with the Children's Mental Health Champions project for a third year. This project is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Building on the efforts of Champions from 2021-2022, twelve Champions were selected for 2022-2023 to continue to provide timely support for children and their families. The Champions developed state-specific work plans to implement effective strategies for mental health promotion, prevention supports, and the creation of networks (e.g., school, healthcare, and community) to promote better connections between these systems. The 2022-2023 Champions represent California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.
State | Affiliation | Champion |
California | USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | Micah Orliss |
Connecticut | University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, UCEDD | Bethanne Vergean |
Georgia | Center for Leadership in Disability, Georgia State University, UCEDD | Emily Graybill |
Indiana | Trustees of Indiana University, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) | Katherine Herron |
Nebraska | Munroe-Meyer Institute University of Nebraska Medical Center | Jennifer Burt |
New Hampshire | Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire | JoAnne Mallory |
Ohio | Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center & University of Cincinnati LEND | Elsie Bush |
Pennsylvania | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia | Phylicia Fleming |
South Dakota | University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities, UCEDD | Aimee Deliramich |
Tennessee | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Verity Rodrigues |
Vermont | University of Vermont, Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) | Cassandra Townshend |
Virginia | Virginia Commonwealth University, Partnership for People with Disabilities, UCEDD | Patrice Beard |