Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
Since its founding in 1966, The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) has evolved as a recognized leader in the field of developmental disabilities within the western U.S. and across the nation. This multi-faceted program offers interdisciplinary training, education and technical assistance to service providers and consumers. The UCEDD also conducts research and serves as an advocate in the public arena to strengthen systems and services for individuals and families impacted by special developmental, behavioral and/or health care needs. The goal: to enhance quality of life.
Learn more about UCEDD by visiting their main website.
Programs and Services
The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) strives to create community-based, culturally-appropriate systems of care centered around individuals and families. Our services include:
- Clinical Services– Provided through various hospital-based interdisciplinary programs and community-based programs.
- Diagnosis and Evaluation – Diagnostic and treatment/intervention recommendations for developmental, behavioral and attention problems (including Attention Deficit Disorder-ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-ADHD).
- Feeding Development -- Comprehensive assessment and treatment services for feeding, growth and nutrition problems.
- Behavioral Pediatrics – Developmental and psychosocial issues from a family-centered perspective.
- Community Mental Health – UAP’s largest clinical program, it provides individual and group therapy to serve children with severe emotional and behavioral issues, as well as at-risk children and families. Includes the HEALS program for victims of such violent crimes as non-accidental trauma, sexual molestation, and neglect.
- Learning Abilities Program – Assessment of the impact of learning strengths and disabilities on school achievement and behavioral development; recommendations for behavioral and special education support and services.
- Community-Based Programs – Diagnosis, evaluation and treatment for infants, children and adults at several sites throughout Los Angeles County.
Special Program Emphasis
- Individual, Family and Community Capacity Building – We promote activities that help assure quality of life for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and their families through active involvement in the home, systems of training and service, community support and policy-making.
- Prevention and Early Intervention – UAP physicians and other health care providers focus on such effective preventive or intervention measures as proactive outreach, early identification of needs, enhanced individual and family resources and provision of quality community resources.
- Cultural Competence – Being located in one of the country’s most diverse cities affords us the opportunity to promote cultural awareness, responsiveness and competence within services provided at the local, state and national level.
Education
We distribute information on best practices and emerging issues that impact, children and adolescents with disabilities and their families to other UAPs nationwide, as well as to local and state agencies, policy-makers, service providers, families, community organizations, researchers, university and other training programs.
In addition, the faculty of the UAP Mental Health Program has developed the second-largest training program within Children's Hospital, annually training:
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Psychology Doctoral Internship
- Social Work Students
Research
UCEDD physicians, other health care providers and trainees engage in a variety of research projects, including clinical, population-based and health/disabilities systems research – all of which contributes to the knowledge base of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.
Technical Assistance
UCEDD physician and non-physician faculty members provide technical assistance at the local, state, regional and national levels in such areas as:
- Promoting advocacy
- Building an interdisciplinary team
- Developing federal/state grant applications
- Developing culturally responsive systems of service delivery
- Delivering family-centered care
- Providing early identification and treatment
- Promoting prevention training on specific topics related to developmental disabilities for providers, agency personnel, administrators, consumers and families. This includes workshops and inservices, presentations, university extension courses, continuing education and short courses.
Meet Our Staff
Click here to meet the staff on the UCEDD Website
