MCH Health Care Transitions Research Network (HCT-RN) for Youth and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

About Us

The Health Care Transitions Research Network (HCT-RN) for Youth and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is the first collaborative research network aimed to address the health, family, and social needs of adolescent and young adults on the autism spectrum. The HCT-RN was established in 2014 with funding from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration and is a partner of the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities and the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University.

Mission

The mission of the HCT-RN is to improve the nation’s capacity to foster measurable improvements in the following: 1) life course outcomes for youth and adults on the autism spectrum, 2) the ability of their families to cope effectively with increased caregiving demands, and 3) the capacity of communities to create adequate opportunities for successful lifelong living, learning and working for these individuals and their families.

Vision

The HCT-RN envisions a future where people on the autism spectrum are seen as valued members of society with roles to play and contributions to make, and where expanding opportunities for people with autism to contribute and thrive also strengthens and improves the communities in which they live.

Values

The following values are central to all of our activities:

• Equitable access to physical and behavioral health care, employment, education, and community activities.
• Self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of the community (as stipulated in the U.S. Developmental Disabilities Act, http://www.acl.gov/Programs/AIDD/Index.aspx).
• Individualized and culturally appropriate supports and services.
• Diversity within the network, programs, and society.
• Stewardship of public resources and measurable accountability.
• A commitment to helping individuals by strengthening communities.

For more information, please visit our website: www.autismtransition.net.

CONTACT

Alice Kuo, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
AKuo@mednet.ucla.edu
T | 310-825-6995
http://www.autismtransition.net

TBD
Project Manager
T |