The Tarjan Center is part of a national network of federally-designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs).  Housed in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, the Center's mission is to provide leadership in education, research and innovative practices that supports the quality of life and community inclusion of all people with disabilities. The Tarjan Center serves as a bridge between the university and persons with disabilities from state, regional and local communities, state and local government agencies and community providers. Leadership activities:
·   Collaborate with individuals with disabilities, agencies and policymakers in order to be responsive to the needs of people with disabilities in the areas of education, employment, mental health, health, volunteerism and the arts;
·   Examine the impact of national and state policies on people with disabilities and their families;
·   Expand the arts and cultural community's capacity to include audiences with disabilities and support the professional development of artists with disabilities;
·   Facilitate the active engagement of people with disabilities in national service and volunteerism;
·   Promote organizational practices and policies for postsecondary education and students with developmental disabilities and autism; and
·   Provide clinical services that address the health and mental health needs of children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

Regional partners of the Tarjan Center include: the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights California, the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the UC Davis Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. http://tarjancenter.ucla.edu/

The Tarjan Center features the National Arts and Disability Center (NADC), an information and training center dedicated to the full inclusion of artists and audiences with disabilities in all facets of the arts. Through its Web site, it publishes resource directories and training materials, as well as showcases the talent of individuals with disabilities. The NADC also helps advance the professional development and employment of artists with disabilities and provides guidance and education to arts venues on how to remove the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from taking part in the arts community. http://nadc.ucla.edu/

Publications We Like

All are available at http://www.ncwd-youth.info/type/guide

Guideposts for Success
The Guideposts are based on what research tells us that all youth and youth with disabilities need to transition to adulthood successfully. This document provides a statement of principles, a direction that will lead to better outcomes for all young people, and a way to organize policy and practice.

Career Planning Begins with Assessment: A Guide for Professionals Serving Youth with Educational and Career Development Challenges
This guide serves as a resource for multiple audiences within the workforce development system. Youth service professionals will find information on selecting career-related assessments, determining when to refer youth for additional assessment, and additional issues such as accommodations, legal issues, and ethical considerations. Administrators and policymakers will find information on developing practical and effective policies, encouraging collaboration among programs, and spearheading interagency assessment systems.

Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring
This guide is intended for individuals designing mentoring programs for youth, including youth with disabilities.

The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities
This guide is designed for youth and adults working with them to learn about disability disclosure. This workbook helps young people make informed decisions about whether or not to disclose their disability and understand how that decision may impact their education, employment, and social lives.

Resources You Can Use

Postsecondary Program Profile

L.I.V.E.S. is a four-year transition program which provides students with intellectual and/or other developmental disabilities the chance to learn independence, vocational skills, and educational skills within an inclusive community.  The program enrolls 8-12 to students each year who meet the criteria for Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) services and are 18 years of age or older and is funded through a collaborative partnership with SUNY-Geneseo, the Genesee Valley Board of Cooperative Education Services (B.O.C.E.S.), Hilltop Industries (a division of The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming), and Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Organization. 

The program is developed from individualized diagnostic assessments, which include career interests, learning styles, social and independent living skills, and academic skills assessments.  Upon completion of the plan of study and their individually designed capstone, students receive a certificate of completion and an assessment of their digital portfolio, which highlights their progress towards their goals.

"Working with the students in the L.I.V.E.S. program was a great experience that really taught me the value and importance of education for ALL and not just some. Everyone involved has something to bring to the table and the end result is a learning experience that goes beyond just that of the students." ~ A Secondary Education-History Major and Student Volunteer

For more information on the L.I.V.E.S. Program, please contact Elizabeth Hall, Ph.D., halle@geneseo.edu or Tabitha Buggie-Hunt, Ph.D., tbuggieh@geneseo.edu