University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
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About Us

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, P.L. 106-402, authorizes the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research and Service (UCEDD). The University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research and Service (UCEDDs) are funded through the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) to provide leadership, advise federal, state and community policy makers about, and promote opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development is the UCEDD for the District of Columbia and was established nearly four decades ago.

bullet UCEDD Four Core Functions as Outlined in the Act

Interdisciplinary Pre-service Preparation & Continuing Education
UCEDDs provide interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education for students and fellows, which may include the preparation and continuing education of leadership, direct service, clinical, or other personnel to strengthen and increase the capacity of States and communities.

Community Services
UCEDDs provide training, technical assistance, for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, professionals, paraprofessionals, policymakers, students and other members of the community. Additionally, UCEDDs provide services and supports through demonstration and model activities.

Research
UCEDDs conduct basic or applied research, evaluation and the analysis of public policy in areas that could affect individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Dissemination of Information
UCEDDs disseminate information on the broad range of issues that impact the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This includes information on the expertise and activities of the UCEDD network to diverse audiences in a variety of settings.

bullet About the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development UCEDD

The GU-UCEDD is committed to exemplary principles and practices in the development, implementation, and evaluation of all core functions and related activities which include:

  • consumer and family-directed,
  • interdisciplinary,
  • accessible, and
  • culturally and linguistically competent.

Creating and maintaining collaborative partnerships with and on behalf of people with developmental and other disabilities, and their families, is an essential element in all core functions. The GU-UCEDD promotes capacity building within the diverse network of individuals, programs and organizations concerned with developmental and other disabilities at the local, state, national levels and international levels. The GU-UCEDD provides knowledge and leadership in the development of policy that impacts systems of services and supports for individuals with developmental and other disabilities and their families.

The GU-UCEDD has a long history of providing an array of community services and supports to the District's most vulnerable populations. The GU-UCEDD has devoted a significant portion of its resources to address the multiple needs of these populations and the personnel and agencies that serve them.

bullet The Consumer Advisory Council

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Section 154 (E) requires that the UCEDD establish a Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) of which a majority of members should be individuals with developmental and related disabilities and their family members.  In addition, the CAC should have representatives from the State protection and advocacy system, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities,  self-advocacy organizations, parent training and information organizations,  assistive technology centers, and other community groups concerned with the welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  It also must reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the State.

The CAC consults with the Direction of the Center regarding the five year plan, its annual review and renewal.  The CAC comments on the progress of the Center in meeting the goals in the plan and make recommendations for revisions.  The CAC must meet at least twice per year.

The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development UCEDD (GU-UCEDD) has established a CAC.  The following is the listing of the Consumer Advisory Council members that will meet three times this fiscal year:
     - September 8, 2010
     - January 12, 2011
     - May11, 2011

Consumers/Family Members

Joan Christopher, Esq.

Ryan H. King

Robert E. Coward, Jr.

Kelli A. Roberts

Margaret M. Ernst

Berta Mata

Thelma Green

John W. Bossard, Jr. & Patricia Mitchell

Jonathan Herring

L. Thomas Mangrum, Jr.

Sharlene Hardy

Joseph Stewart & Linda Stewart Wells

Robert Henry

Jody Wildy

Michelle Hawkins


District Government Agency Representatives

Clarence Carter, Interim Director
Department of Human Services
Laura Nuss, Deputy Director
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Department on Disability Services
Roy Albert, Deputy Director
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Herman R. Barber, PhD
Special Programs Coordinator
Child and Family Services Agency

Ellen Yung-Fata, Interim Administrator
Early Care & Education Administration
District of Columbia Infant and Toddlers with Disabilities Program
Jeff Anderson
Office on Disabilities and AgingMedical Assistance Administration


DC Developmental Disabilities Network

Jane Brown, Esq., Executive Director, University Legal Services
Mary P. Brown, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Council


Private Agency Representatives

Tina Campanella, Executive Director
DC Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities
Danny Bellamy, Chief Operating Officer
Health Services for Children with Special Needs

Rebecca Hare, Project Coordinator
Institute for Educational Leadership
Kim Jones, Esq., Executive Director
Parent Training Information Center
Advocates for Justice and Education

Service Providers
Ron James, Consultant
Marylou Meccariello, Executive Director, The Arc of DC
Rebecca Salon, PhD., Advisor, Project Action


Georgetown University Representative
Michael W. Smith
Associate Director of Affirmative Action Programs & ADA Coordinator
Georgetown University

GUCCHD Faculty and Staff

Phyllis Magrab, Director
Rachel Brady, Director of Information Dissemination
Toni Brathwaite Fisher, Associate Director
Donna Deardorff, Administrator
Tawara Goode, Associate Director
Toby Long, Director of Training
Isabella Lorenzo Hubert, Bi-Lingual Coordinator
Syreeta Elie, Administrative Assistant


bullet TRIAD

The Act also requires collaboration among UCEDDs, Protection and Advocacy Agencies and Development Disability State Planning Councils.
This activity is referred to as the TRIAD.

 

 

 

 

 

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