Popular annual event is hosted by UC Davis MIND Institute and community partners
(SACRAMENTO)
The UC Davis MIND Institute’s eighth annual Spanish conference will focus on a common challenge for families with autism and other developmental disabilities: navigating support and services
Aprendiendo Juntos, which means “learning together” in Spanish, will take place at the MIND Institute in Sacramento on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. The annual event is delivered entirely in Spanish and is attended by families, specialists, agencies and people with lived experience. In addition to discussions and presentations, about 20 organizations will be on site with information about re
“It’s a space where the Hispanic community finds information, reelopmental disabilities,” explained Maribel Hernandez, a community outreach specialist at the MIND Institute and a conference coordinator.
It is hosted by the MIND Institute’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and a group of community partners, including:
This year’s theme is “Navigating Service Systems for People with Developmental Disabilities: Transforming Challenges into a Clear Path Toward Well-Being.”
Hernandez notes that healthcare, education, services and support can be complex and overwhelming to navigate for families with neurodevelopmental disabilities
“One of my favorite moments of the conference each year is when someone approaches me and says things like, ‘I didn’t know that’ or ‘Thank you for sharing these re
Aprendiendo Juntos event details
Where: UC Davis MIND Institute, 2825 50th St., Sacramento, CA 95817
When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m
Cost: $110. Reduced-fee or scholarship registrations are also available
Registration is open through Sept. 16. Families receiving regional center services should confirm with their service coordinator that they have authorization to attend before registering. Please note that child care will not be available, so attendance should be limited to adults
Family registration link (for families who are with Alta California Regional Center)
Filling a critical need in the community
Aprendiendo Juntos was created in response to feedback from Spanish-speaking families and is planned each year in collaboration with nearly two dozen community organizations
Families can expect a wide range of topics to be covered, including:
- Diagnosis
- Education
- The transition to adulthood
- Mental health
- Behavior support
- Services and benefits
- Individual rights
- Community resources
“Families want to support their children and loved ones but often have hard-to-answer questions about how to do that,” Hernandez explained. “This conference is an opportunity to learn about reess to specialists.”
Questions? Email belhernandez@health.ucdavis.edu
The UC Davis MIND Institute in Sacramento, Calif. is a unique, interdisciplinary research, clinical, and education center committed to deepening scientific understanding of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. It is a highly collaborative center, bringing together families, researchers, clinicians, community leaders and volunteers with the common goal of developing more personalized, equitable, and scientifically proven systems of support and intervention. The institute has major research efforts in autism, fragile X syndrome, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Down syndrome. More information about the institute and its Distinguished Lecturer Series, including previous presentations in this series, is available on the Web at https://health.ucdavis.edu/mind-institute/.
