History
The USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Children's Hospital Los Angeles was founded in 1966. It is one of 67 UCEDDs in the nation, which were authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Righs Act (DD Act) of 1963. The USC UCEDD has a 50-year history of promoting the well-being of persons with developmental disabilities through training, research and evaluation, community services, technical assistance, information dissemination, and policy development. UCEDDs work to accomplish a shared vision that foresees a nation in which all Americans, including Americans with disabilities, participate fully in their communities. Independence, productivity and community inclusion are key components of this vision.
UCEDDs have played key roles in every major disability initiative over the past four decades. Many issues, such as early intervention, health care, community-based services, inclusive and meaningful education, transition from school to work, employment, housing, assistive technology, and transportation have been directly benefited by the services, research, and training provided by UCEDDs.
Mission
To provide leadership in strengthening family-centered, culturally-competent services and systems for the benefit of individuals with, or at risk for, developmental, behavioral and/or special health care needs and their families in partnership with those who utilize the services.
Core Programs and Focus Areas
Directly tied to our mission, the USC UCEDD has three core programs in:
Each year the USC UCEDD works on diverse projects related to four focus areas:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Early intervention, prevention and infant mental health
- Behavioral health
- Racial disparities, equity and cultural proficiency
Core Functions
Community Education, Information Dissemination & Technical Assistance
