A Conversation with the Director of California's Department of Developmental Services

In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Annual Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and turns them into clear, plain-languageconversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Pete Cervinka, Director of California’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Host Russell Lehmann, International Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLATarjan Center, talks with Pete about his vision for the future of developmental services in California.Together, they discuss:What services in California could look like in the next 10–15 yearsHow DDS is working toward fairness for people of all backgrounds, languages, and incomesThe challenges the system faces as the needs of people with disabilities changeWhat updates and new ideas are most neededExciting new projects and reasons to be hopeful for the futurePete shares how data, family, and culture all play a role in building better, community-based supports for every stage of life.Listen now to hear how California’s developmental-services system is evolving to better support people with disabilities and their families.Show Notes:Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjanView recordings and slides from the Annual Forum on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities