Dawn Rudolph Transitions from AUCD
AUCD's Senior Director of Technical Assistance and Network Engagement bids farewell from role
UCEDD Success Stories - University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Human Development
In the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, there was a big push to increase access to vaccines. In Alaska, a group of organizations came together and formed the Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Accessibility Partnership. This group focused on vaccine access for individuals with disabilities, completing projects and sharing information to better serve the needs of all Alaskans. This partnership was facilitated by Sondra LeClair, Community Services Director with the University of Alaska Anchorage, Center for Human Development (UAA CHD). The Partnership took on two major projects. The first project focused on the development and distribution of a survey by UAA CHD with input from individuals with disabilities as well as their support systems.
UCEDD Success Stories - Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the UC Davis MIND Institute
The Child Life Team at the UC Davis MIND Institute had a goal to provide COVID vaccinations to vaccine hesitant individuals with disabilities who had previously experienced medical trauma, while providing informed training to medical staff. This initiative has transformed what we initially would think of as your standard vaccine clinic into a reimagining of what these clinics can and should be. The clinic was designed by Erin Roseborough and Veronica Tuss, certified Child Life Specialists at the UC Davis MIND Institute, who partnered with family navigators. Standard large vaccine clinics can be loud and overwhelming which the team found were not a good fit for many vaccine hesitant individuals. Through this new clinic, they wanted to create a clear understanding of what accommodations can be made to modify the environment to make these procedures more successful for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
UCEDD Success Stories - Sonoron UCEDD at University of Arizona
Tucson, AZThe Transition AHEAD Roundtable is a day-long, one-on-one set of activities. It is designed to purposefully engage both the young adult and their family in collaborative activities with Sonoran UCEDD staff and staff from outside agencies and organizations. In a holistic manner, the Roundtable addresses five key areas: Employment, Healthcare, Education & Training, Relationships and Community, and Independent Living. Importantly, this busy day culminates in a brief Roundtable presentation led by the young adult about what they have identified as their strengths, as well as key goals and meaningful supports they want in order to achieve their desired level of independence.
UCEDD Success Stories - Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the UC Davis MIND Institute
Sacramento, CAHighlighting Social Skills Groups and SibShop Integration.
UCEDD Success Stories - Sonoran UCEDD at University of Arizona
Tucson, AZThe Transition Exploration Study funded by the AZ Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, focused on completing a statewide assessment of the current state of transition services in Arizona to identify exemplary practices, areas of need, and recommendations for improving post-school employment rates for youth with disabilities. A comprehensive qualitative and quantitative approach was utilized to gather information from multiple stakeholders involved with transition services for the purpose of contributing to data-informed policy and programmatic decision-making.
UCEDD Resource Center Seeking Evaluation Consultant
AUCD's UCEDD Resource Center (URC) is seeking a consultant with evaluation expertise to help update the current evaluation process to reflect new requirements in a newly-awarded 5-year contract and evaluate the impact of the URC's work in equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Request for Applications- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coaches
Deadline to submit a proposal: March 21st, 2022The UCEDD Resource Center (URC) launched a multi-pronged technical assistance initiative to support UCEDDs in implementing the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan. In continuation of this initiative, the URC is seeking applications from UCEDD leaders across the AUCD network to serve as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion coaches. Coaches may provide individualized coaching to network members, respond to rapid response requests, and support implementation of the technical assistance initiative by presenting at webinars and supporting content of the ED&I Action Plan Implementation groups.
2020-2021 UCEDD Resource Center (URC) Evaluation Report
In 2020-2021, the UCEDD Resource Center (URC) accomplished all our goals from the prior year. The first full year of website analytics data from all three URC websites has been leveraged for strategic decision-making. An accessibility evaluation for online communications was completed in August 2021 and will inform improvements to be implemented in the coming year. The global survey was adapted into Spanish and plain language to ensure linguistic accessibility in our data collection process.
UCEDD Tip Sheets
Tip Sheets are intended to provide guidance and share peer practices of specific aspects of UCEDD operations, grant management, and core grant application development. Tip sheets clarify requirements outlined in the DD Act, related federal regulations, and/or AIDD's Quality Review System processes as appropriate; and also share experiences and recommendations from network peers.
AUCD Launches New Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Hub website
AUCD is excited to launch the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Hub. This new hub expands the former Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit, to now host a broad array of existing resources related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and cultural and linguistic competence. The hub includes a new Resource Crosswalk as well as episodes from AUCD's new podcast, AUCD Network Narratives: Real Stories from our Members.
Announcing our 2021-2022 Emerging Leaders Interns!
We are excited to announce the AUCD Emerging Leaders Interns for the 2021-2022 training year! These trainees will serve as visible ambassadors to the broader AUCD network, interacting with AUCD staff at all levels and the AUCD Board of Directors' Emerging Leaders Representative.
Coming Soon! AUCD Launches a New Podcast
We are proud to present AUCD's new podcast-- AUCD Network Narratives: Real Stories from Our Members. The podcast shares real stories from network members who are working to change systems and structures that impact people with disabilities. This first season focuses on network members promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion and reducing disparities for Black and brown disabled people. Be on the look in the next couple of weeks when our first episode will air.
2021 Report on UCEDD-University Relationships and Agreements
This new report explores the relationships between UCEDDS and their home university by analyzing responses to a fall 2020 survey on UCEDD-university relationships and shared Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or other official agreements. It explores commonalities and unique features of these relationships and offers some guidance for UCEDDs revisiting their agreements or relationships.
2021 Report on UCEDD-University Relationships and Agreements
This new report explores the relationships between UCEDDS and their home university by analyzing responses to a fall 2020 survey on UCEDD-university relationships and shared Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or other official agreements. It explores commonalities and unique features of these relationships and offers some guidance for UCEDDs revisiting their agreements or relationships.
Free Coaching Available for UCEDD Staff to Implement the ED&I Action Plan
Free Individualized Coaching is available for UCEDD members on Implementing the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan. Meet the coaches and sign up for a free coaching session.