Community Support and Advocacy | UC Davis MIND Institute

University Center (CEDD)

Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Community Collaborations

  • Business Advisory Council

    The Business Advisory Council gives advice, guidance, and support for increasing the number of high-quality workforce development programs for people with disabilities. The planning meetings create a space for support agencies to share information and effective strategies.

    For more information, please contact sruder@ucdavis.edu

    Learn more
  • California Early Start Support Network

    The California Early Start Network (CESN) was developed with the purpose of using videoconference technology to host interactive conversations and establish a support network of early intervention programs and providers across California. Our goal is to build partnerships and community. The group meets 3 times a year to pass on information about California Early Start issues, policies, and practices, to share resources and techniques, and to support each other. Our partners include California State University Sacramento’s Early Childhood Education Department and Desired Results Access Project.

    Join our network to receive updates about our video conferences and relevant updates about California Early Start resources and policies.
    If you have any questions, please contact us at CESNetwork1@gmail.com

  • California Autism Professional Training and Information Network

    CAPTAIN is a multiagency network developed to support the understanding and use of Evidence Based Practices for autism across the state. They have over 400 trainers (called CAPTAIN Cadre) from Schools, Regional Centers, Family Resource and Empowerment Centers and Institutes of Higher Education throughout California who provide information, training and coaching on evidence-based practices that are culturally sensitive, family centered, cost effective, and competency based.

    Learn more
  • Collaboration with the UC Davis Aggie Neurodiversity Community

    CEDD supports the UC Davis Campus Aggie Neurodiversity Community. The group includes neurodivergent students at UC Davis who provide presentations on topics related to improving inclusion, acceptance, and knowledge about people who are neurodivergent.

  • National Autism Network of Statewide Implementors (NANSI)

    The National Autism Network of Statewide Implementers, established in 2020, is a network of State level implementers who are working to increase awareness and use of evidence-based practices at scale across their respective States. The network meets several times per year to share resources, troubleshoot implementation challenges and discuss recent research and policy related to autism services.

    Learn more
  • Redwood SEED Scholars Program

    The UC Davis Redwood SEED (Supported Education to Elevate Diversity) Scholars Program is a first-of-its-kind inclusive college program for students with intellectual disabilities in the state of California. Students in the program have an opportunity to live on campus, engage in social activities and organizations, take college classes and pursue an internship or job. This is a collaborative effort between the UC Davis MIND Institute and the UC Davis campus' Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

    Learn more
  • Partnerships for Inclusive Research

    The partnerships for inclusive research project provides training and community connections to researchers at the MIND Institute. The goal of the project is to increase the confidence and capacity of researchers to work alongside people with developmental disabilities and people in their support networks to develop research projects that are responsive to community needs.

  • Community Advisory Council

    The Community Advisory Council (CAC) of the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the UC Davis MIND Institute is a group of people who work together with the our team to make sure that programs and services for people with developmental disabilities are what people need.

    The council is made up of people with developmental disabilities, their family members, and representatives from state agencies and community organizations that serve people with developmental disabilities. The council helps us plan our work to improve the quality of life and community inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families through advocacy, partnerships, training, support, and research.

    CEDD Community Advisory Council Members

    Aaron Carruthers
    Barbara Boyd
    Cameron Newton
    Chioko Grevious
    Christine Mirzaian
    Eden Donahue
    Elaine Linn
    Emily Woolford
    Jaclyn Pasko
    Kelly Ko
    Kelsey Hancock
    Kim Connor
    Laurie Newton
    Linda Thrift
    Lisa Cooley
    Mary Rittenhouse
    Matt Ibele
    Natalie Moriarty
    Robin Dewey
    Sarah Leff
    Scott Lorigan

    We work together with the other federal partners in California to support inclusion and change for people with developmental disabilities and their families.