ExceLens

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) aim to positively affect the lives of people with disabilities by building and strengthening systems that support full community participation. These activities are carried out in alignment with the DD Act (hyperlink) through the UCEDD core functions which include: (1) interdisciplinary training including continuing education; (2) community service including training, technical assistance, model, and demonstration services; (3) research including evaluation, and analysis of public policy; and (4) information dissemination. The ExceLens series highlights the valuable work of the UCEDDs within university systems, the community, and in the lives of people with disabilities across the lifespan and their family members

University of Arizona: Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities

In the spring of 2006, community members joined with the University of Arizona to develop a proposal for the creation of a new University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in Arizona, the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities.  University, state and local disability agencies and community groups focused on community needs which weren’t being met – health, wellness and competent treatment issues for adults with developmental disabilities; concern of aging caregivers and people with developmental disabilities as they age; employment barriers for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities; and the complex questions of supports and services in the Arizona-Mexico border region.

Community Tribal Engagement Efforts

At the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Wendy Parent-Johnson and Jacy Farkas strive to continue to find impactful ways to best partner with and support native communities. Fostering relationships with community partners, utilizing person-centered practices, and setting organizational goals to build on existing projects are just a few ways in which they have made an impact. The AZ Developmental Disabilities Council was interested in creating a Native Center for Disabilities similar to Oyate' Circle developed in South Dakota by Wendy Parent-Johnson and Jimmy Warne, a consultant with the Sonoran Center. This new project would reflect Arizona’s culture and the 22 sovereign nations within the state. Oyate Circle serves as a resource, education, outreach, and training effort for Native Americans with disabilities*.

This charge led to the creation of The Native Center for Disabilities, a five-year project focused on creating and supporting community connections. The goal of this project was to partner with our Tribal communities to bring resources, trainings, and tools designed to enhance awareness, services, and supports that promote quality of life for Native individuals with disabilities. These tools would inform and bring people together as well as highlight the important practices already in place. They also aimed to help fill those gaps to encourage sharing across tribal communities as well as to impact state systems. An effort to engage integral decision makers has been paramount not only to help bring the community’s needs to life but to change how those services are received in those communities. The success of The Native Center for Disabilities led to the expansion of partnerships and overall capacity as they began to receive additional funding to support new efforts. The overall organizational goal is to continue bringing these components and resources together to support tribal communities.

Throughout every project, there has been a focused effort to include and integrate tribal community members and leaders into activities. This emphasis on meaningful and intentional relationship building has been a critical part in the success of these projects. Seizing opportunities to work closely with and build relationships with other university departments who are working on indigenous and native issues has provided an opportunity to collaborate around disability and other university wide initiatives. By embedding themselves in these circles and maintaining these important relationships, the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities has set a shining example of what it takes to make meaningful engagement efforts with tribal communities.

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