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.

The Act requires collaboration among UCEDDs, Protection and Advocacy Agencies and Development Disability State Planning Councils.

This activity is referred to as the Triad.

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Section 154 part E also requires that the UCEDDs establish a consumer advisory committee of which the “majority of members shall be individuals with developmental disabilities and family members of such individuals”. The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development-UCEDD has established that committee and it is comprised of a majority of family members and people with developmental disabilities. Other committee members include DC protection and advocacy representatives, DC Developmental Disabilities Council representatives, private advocacy organization representatives, and representatives from the District Public Schools, special education program, DC Department of Human Services, the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration, the Department of Health Office on Disability and Aging, US Department of Labor and representatives from Georgetown University and it’s Center for Child and Human Development.

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.

About the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development UCEDD

The GUCCHD-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 GUCCHD-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 GUCCHD-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 GUCCHD-UCEDD has a long history of providing an array of community services and supports to the District's most vulnerable populations. The GUCCHD-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.