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It is a pleasure to reintroduce CenterPoint to our many friends and colleagues throughout Maine and beyond. It has been more than five years since our last edition, so it seems appropriate to begin with a brief history, to describe some of the changes at the Center, and to let you know what you can expect from CenterPoint in its new form.

As some of you may remember, the Center was established in 1992 as Maine's University Affiliated Program. The Center's initial funding was the result of the vision of about a hundred people from across the state who came together to propose what would become the Center for Community Inclusion at The University of Maine.

The Center began as a handful of people with a budget of $150,000 and a dream to change the world, with and for, individuals with disabilities and their families. Over the next several years, with the advice and guidance of its advisory committees, the Center continued to expand its projects and partners through an increasing number of grants and contracts.

With the reauthorization of the Developmental Disabilities Act of 2000, University Affiliated Programs were changed to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Along with the new designator, UCEDDs were given increased responsibilities, particularly in the areas of research, public policy, network collaboration, and international outreach. The reauthorization also emphasized an enhanced role for individuals with disabilities and their families in all aspects of the Center's work.

Over the years, the Center has increased to its current size of about 45 faculty and staff. In addition to our main office on the Orono campus, the Center maintains outreach offices in Augusta and Windham. Although our projects are continuously evolving, we manage 15 to 20 initiatives at any given time and maintain a budget of more than $3 million. Many of our current initiatives, particularly those focusing on children and youth, are highlighted in this issue.

The Center celebrated its 10th birthday in 2002. As part of the celebration, we initiated the Daring to Dream awards. These awards honor leadership and vision that contribute to the creation of inclusive communities in the areas of scholarship, public policy, and community
change. I hope you enjoy reading about this year's recipients in this issue of CenterPoint.

In 2004, the Center experienced a name change to better represent the full breadth of our work. The Center for Community Inclusion became The Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies. Our new name continues to reflect our long commitment to inclusive communities, but also recognizes our expanded academic emphasis in Disability Studies. In this issue, you can read about some exciting additions to our Disability Studies curriculum.

These are just some of the changes that have taken place since our last edition of CenterPoint. Other changes include a significant expansion in our work in the area of universal design and access and an increased focus in the area of health. Despite many changes, the Center continues to serve as a resource in some areas that you have come to rely upon, such as early intervention, inclusive education, childcare, and positive supports.

Through our efforts, we hope to bridge the gaps that too often exist between: university and community; research, practice, and public policy; professionals and the individuals whose lives they affect; and finally, the gap between what exists and what is possible. This really is the heart of our work. We look forward to continued relationships with our old friends...and to creating new friends and partnerships. Together we can make the dream of inclusive communities a reality. We hope you enjoy this issue of CenterPoint!

— Lu Zeph

 

CENTERPOINT: The Newsletter of The University of Maine
Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies,
Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Education, Research, and Service