Written in collaboration with The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders and PRIME LEAD-ABC
Dear families and community partners,
Happy New Year!
We are taking this opportunity to introduce our team, our resource website, and our upcoming events.
We are a group of medical students, parents, and clinicians dedicated to increasing access and improving care for children and families of color. The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CAND) is a pediatric program of UCI Health working in partnership with PRIME Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black, and Caribbean (LEAD-ABC), a UCI School of Medicine mission-based program aimed at producing future physicians who are committed to addressing the health needs of ABC communities in California, the United States, and beyond. In recognition of the history of lack of equitable care and access to health services among the ABC community, we have created with care and diligence, a collection of resources for this community. It is our hope that these resources will bridge the trust gap, create confidence, and build lasting connections between providers and ABC communities in Orange County, California. Through these connections, we aim to build healthier and stronger communities. Our efforts are supported by a Service Access and Equity Grant from the California Department of Developmental Services which aims to improve access to services for individuals with developmental disabilities from communities of color.
Our team includes 2 medical students who are PRIME LEAD-ABC scholars, parent partners who are women of color raising children with autism, and clinical providers with expertise in autism.
We have several events scheduled as we celebrate Black History Month. We hope you will join us at one of our upcoming events: All About ABA on February 9, Empowering Women of Color on February 19, Supporting Early Childhood on February 24. We will also have a booth at the annual Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival on Saturday, February 3rd.
Here’s our team:
Avery Robinson-Phelps is a second-year student at the UCI School of Medicine, a PRIME LEAD-ABC scholar, and CAND intern. She enjoys building community partnerships and organizing engaging events that promote preventive health for students and community members. Her career interests include Pediatrics, Medical Genetics, OB/GYN, and Medical Education. She is proud to help support families in getting the care they need to thrive.
Kyrillos Grace is a second-year medical student at the UCI School of Medicine, a PRIME LEAD-ABC scholar, and CAND intern. He enjoys mentoring pre-medical students and volunteering in feeding the less fortunate at his local church food bank. His career interests revolve around cardiovascular medicine, including cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. He is a proud member of the American Heart Association and is actively working on research in the field of cardiovascular care and epidemiology. He is proud to help families get the proper care and help they deserve.
Nellie Valentine is a super proud mom of four amazing children with ASD, who range in age from childhood to adulthood. Throughout the twenty-six years advocating for her children and others, she understands that the journey is extraordinary and that immediate, continuous intervention is paramount for children to thrive. She also realizes the imperative of developing and embracing a strong, invested support team. That is why Nellie is honored to be proud Parent Partner with The Center for Autism and Facilitator of The Empowering Women of Color Group. In partnership with CAND, she created this group to ensure the perspective, point of view and experiences that African American, Black and Caribbean mothers are taken into consideration. Also, to teach ABC mothers the skills to derive their desired outcomes for their families. Nellie is the Author of Social Story Books, which guide readers in learning social rules, positive behavior and engaging successfully with others.
Shanae Stump is an enthusiastic mother of one. Her son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3, and since then, Shanae has continued to educate herself, as well as others, regarding the awareness of mental health. She is currently pursuing a major in Psychology. She is a proud Parent Partner with the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and is a founding member of the Empowering Women of Color Parent Support Group. Shanae serves as an Avid Tutor in the Irvine Unified School District. Her career goals consist of working with women and children of color and helping them find their voices. She wishes to leave a long-lasting effect in our community to help aid in the acceptance and recognition of those who do not have their voices heard in society.
Cecilia Rideout, a Seattle native turned Southern California resident, is a dedicated mother to two girls aged 6 and 1.5. After relocating to California for her education at Chapman University, Cecilia, a former sports television producer turned marketing executive, shifted her focus to advocacy work. This transition was prompted by her older daughter’s autism diagnosis at age two. Cecilia serves as a Parent Partner with the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and is a founding member of the Empowering Women of Color Parent Support Group. Actively engaged in her school district’s special education community, she strives to disseminate knowledge to empower as many families as possible. As a member of the State’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention, Cecilia remains committed to her advocacy work, aiming to bring about tangible and positive change.
Dr. Kristen Joyner is a licensed clinical psychologist and volunteer associate clinical professor at UCI. She has over 10 years of experience providing assessments and therapy to children and families with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental or co-occurring mental health disorders. She has a strong passion for supporting families in building strong relationships and accessing the necessary resources within their communities. Dr. Joyner continues to work closely with the Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders in providing community outreach to the ABC community in Orange County and serves as a mentor to the PRIME LEAD-ABC Scholars.
Maureen Dillon is a licensed clinical social worker at the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and has worked at the Center for over 17 years. As part of the family support team, she provides care to families in coping with their child’s diagnosis, and accessing educational, Regional Center and other community-based services. She works with community partners and provides educational presentations. Maureen speaks English and Spanish and is passionate about involving families from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities in educational opportunities, clinical care efforts and research projects.