WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities facing elimination
It's not alone. All University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) are set to be eliminated Oct. 1 without changes to the upcoming federal budget.
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities notes there are currently 68 UCEDDs, including at least one in every state and territory. The centers work with people with disabilities, members of their families, state and local government agencies and community providers on projects that provide training, technical assistance, services, research and information sharing.
'UCEDDs have played key roles in every major disability initiative over the past four decades,' the AUCD notes.
According to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget in Brief available at hhs.gov, University Centers for Excellence in Development Disabilities have historically fallen under the Administration for Community Living, which is being consolidated with the Administration for Children and Families to create the Administration for Children, Families and Communities.
With the consolidation comes a reprioritization of funds.
'Savings come from eliminating radical diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory programs, which weaponized large swaths of the federal government against the American people and moving programs that are better suited for states and localities to provide.'
In addition to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, funding will also be eliminated for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Community Services Block Grant programs, transitional medical services for refugees, refugee social services, chronic disease self-management education, limb loss resources, paralysis resource center, voting access for people with disabilities and the White House Conference on Aging.
A press release issued by the WVU CED says the centers are being incorrectly lumped in with DEI programs.
'The WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities has been the foundation for developing, testing and sustaining evidence-based trainings and services that help West Virginians with disabilities achieve independence and a better quality of life – building a support system that the community and state depend on,' WVU CED Director Lesley Cottrell said. 'Over the years, programs like Life Quilters and the intensive Autism Services Delivery clinic for children have originated and grown through the efforts of CED team members, trainees and experts.'
Last year, the WVU CED provided services to more than 435,000 people through its numerous programs and clinics.
These services are critically important, Cottrell continued, considering one in three West Virginians (37%) live with a disability according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Census Bureau statistics also show West Virginia has the highest disability rate in the country at 19.4%.
In addition to the services, loss of funding would eliminate 96 jobs and likely eliminate more than $11 million in additional funding leveraged through the federal allocation.
'Many West Virginians have been trained in some form by the services at the CED if they work with individuals with disabilities. Many of these individuals have gone on to develop and expand services within West Virginia and across the nation,' Cottrell said. 'With secured funding, the center will continue to train our future, advance our knowledge of key disabilities through innovative research and work hard to make sure that these services are available to every community in the state.'
For those interested in getting involved, WVU CED is asking individuals, professionals and students to share a positive experience at cedwvu.org/share-your-story. Similarly, the AUCD is collecting feedback at aucd.quorum.us/campaign/133226/.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
25 minutes ago
- NBC News
RFK Jr. cuts $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts, dealing major blow to promising area of research
The Trump administration is terminating 22 contracts focused on developing mRNA vaccines and winding down additional federal investments in mRNA technology, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday. Many scientists and infectious disease experts swiftly denounced the move as a broadside on an area of research seen as particularly promising after its use in rapidly developing Covid vaccines. The projects that are being axed were funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a Department of Health and Human Services program that works with the pharmaceutical industry to develop vaccines and other countermeasures for public health emergencies. 'This isn't just about vaccines,' Rick Bright, who directed BARDA from 2016 to 2020, said in a text message. 'It's about whether we'll be ready when the next crisis hits. Cutting mRNA development now puts every American at greater risk.' 'The Covid pandemic showed us what's possible when science moves fast,' he added. 'Dismantling that momentum now is like disbanding the fire department because the fire's out.' Kennedy said Tuesday that the terminated contracts were worth nearly $500 million. Among them is an award to the University of Texas Medical Branch and the biotechnology company Moderna to develop an mRNA-based vaccine for H5N1, the strain of bird flu that has infected dozens of people in the United States. "After reviewing the science and consulting top experts at NIH and FDA, HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risks and benefits for these respiratory viruses," Kennedy said in a video announcement on X. "Let me be absolutely clear, HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them," he added. "That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of mRNA for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions." The move adds to mounting evidence that Kennedy, a high-profile figure in the anti-vaccine movement who softened his rhetoric after the presidential election and in confirmation hearings, is pursuing an aggressive anti-vaccine agenda that includes gutting a crucial vaccine advisory committee and cutting $2 billion from a program that supports vaccines for vulnerable children. Kennedy has referred to Covid shots as the 'deadliest vaccine ever made,' a claim contradicted by reams of studies that have found them to be safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the vaccines saved more than 200,000 lives in the United States and prevented more than 1.5 million hospitalizations in the first 10 months they were available. Many pharmaceutical companies have prioritized mRNA research because the platform can easily be updated to target new viruses or variants, and scientists see it as an important tool to prepare for future pandemics. But mRNA technology has become a primary target for anti-vaccine activists who have argued — despite ongoing and sizable research — that it represents a massive safety threat. Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group founded by Kennedy, applauded defunding mRNA vaccine projects under BARDA on Tuesday. "While we believe that the mRNA shots on the market are unsafe and should be off the market, this is a welcome step in the right direction. The pandemic preparedness industry as it exists today is a threat to human welfare," CEO Mary Holland said in a statement on X. In his announcement Tuesday, Kennedy suggested that mRNA vaccines fail to sufficiently protect against Covid and flu, that they can be rendered ineffective by a single mutation and that they can even prolong pandemics. But infectious disease and vaccine experts said he grossly mischaracterizes the science. "That's exactly why mRNA is so valuable: It's the only platform where you can actually update the vaccine really quickly," said Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious disease specialist at Stanford Medicine. Terminating mRNA contracts under BARDA is "a very misguided, irresponsible and I would say reckless move," Scott said. "It really does reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of how vaccines work and how a vaccine against a respiratory virus in particular should be expected to work." Kennedy said Tuesday that the BARDA funding would be shifted 'toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate," such as whole-virus vaccines, which use weakened or deactivated versions of viruses to trigger immune responses.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Drinking These Teas May Help Lower Blood Pressure, According to Experts
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, according to the CDC. But, while it's common, living with hypertension is linked with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. While there are medications doctors can prescribe to treat high blood pressure, some may suggest making lifestyle changes first. (Always talk to your own doctor for personalized advice!) And, even if you are prescribed a medication, doctors still stress the importance of lifestyle modifications, which might include tweaking your diet. 'Dietary changes are one part of helping regulate and maintain a healthy blood pressure,' says Cheng-Han Chen, M.D., interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. That may include drinking tea, he says. It seems random, but much like studies suggesting that eating more bananas may help lower your blood pressure, there is some research to suggest that drinking certain teas may help with blood pressure management. That doesn't mean that your blood pressure will magically come down if you start sipping Earl Grey every day. And, there are a few side effects and risks to be aware of. (More on this soon!) But, doctors say that adding a little tea to your life may help with your blood pressure. Here's why. Meet the experts: Cheng-Han Chen, M.D., interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA; Tara Collingwood, R.D.N., C.P.T., a dietitian and certified personal trainer; Ragavendra Baliga, M.B.B.S., a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Keri Gans, R.D.N., dietitian and host of The Keri Report podcast Can tea lower your blood pressure? It's important to state this up front: Always talk to your doctor about any personal blood pressure concerns. Blood pressure is complicated, and it's tough to say that doing something as simple as adding tea to your life will automatically turn things around. But there is some data to suggest that drinking tea may help with blood pressure management. One meta-analysis published in the journal Medicine in 2020 analyzed data from 1,697 people across multiple studies and found that those who regularly drank green tea or green tea extract 'significantly reduced' their systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure. However, the authors note that additional high-quality trials with larger sample sizes, longer durations, and various catechin dosages are needed to confirm these effects. So, how might tea help? 'Tea, especially green and black varieties, contains polyphenols,' says Ragavendra Baliga, M.B.B.S., a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. These polyphenols improve the function of endothelial cells (the thin layer of cells that line the inside of blood vessels), lower oxidative stress that can lead to cell damage, and enhance the production of nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and widens blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow and oxygen delivery around the body, he explains. 'These actions can support a modest reduction in blood pressure over time,' says Tara Collingwood, R.D.N., C.P.T. Still, that doesn't mean drinking tea will automatically help your blood pressure—it just may play a role in lowering it. Because of this, it's still important to talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice, Dr. Chen reiterates. Dr. Baliga also notes that the effects are more noticeable in people who have slightly elevated blood pressure or mild hypertension. Potential risks and side effects There are a few potential risks and side effects to keep in mind before you start downing tea to manage your blood pressure. A big one experts flag is that the caffeine in tea may increase your blood pressure in the short term. 'People who don't have their blood pressure well-regulated may want to avoid it until they get a better range,' Dr. Chen says. There are also potential drug interactions to keep in mind. 'Green tea can affect warfarin, beta-blockers, and reduce folate or iron absorption,' Dr. Baliga says. He also recommends keeping this in mind: If you have more than five cups of tea a day, it can raise your risk of GI issues, iron deficiency, or insomnia. Something else to consider: A lot of the research around tea and blood pressure focuses on black and green tea. Other forms of tea may have different effects on your health. 'Herbal teas like licorice root can raise blood pressure or interact with medicines,' Collingwood says. What type of tea can help lower blood pressure? The research that's available suggests that green tea is the way to go. 'Green tea shows the strongest evidence, followed by hibiscus tea,' Dr. Baliga says. He also notes that black tea can have 'modest effects' on blood pressure. But unsweetened tea of any type can also have an indirect positive impact on blood pressure, points out Keri Gans, R.D.N., dietitian and host of The Keri Report podcast. 'Replacing sugary drinks with these teas can support overall heart health,' she says. How to use tea to lower your blood pressure There's no magic formula for using tea to lower your blood pressure, but Dr. Chen says that consistency may help. So long as you don't have any of the contraindications mentioned above, he recommends starting out by having one unsweetened hot or iced tea a day to see how you like it. After that, Dr. Baliga says you can work up to having two to three cups of green or hibiscus tea a day. 'Avoid sugar and full-fat milk—both may blunt benefits,' he says. Other ways to lower your blood pressure If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it's important to go over your treatment options with your healthcare provider. But Dr. Chen says those may include following the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8. Those lifestyle tips include: Eat a diet that focuses on whole foods, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, and seeds. Aim for at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week. Avoid using cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Do your best to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Manage your weight. Manage your cholesterol by minimizing sugary foods and drinks, red or processed meats, salty food, refined carbohydrates, and highly-processed foods. Try to manage your blood sugar. Stay on top of your blood pressure. 'Life's Essential 8 helps with almost everything cardiovascular-related,' Dr. Chen says. Bottom line Ultimately, experts recommend keeping tea in mind as an additional treatment for blood pressure. However, it's not the only thing you should be doing to bring your numbers down. 'Tea [is] a pleasant bonus—not a cure-all,' Dr. Baliga says. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Business Wire
6 hours ago
- Business Wire
O.P.M.S. Kratom Applauds FDA's Action on 7-OH Products
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Optimized Plant Mediated Solutions, O.P.M.S., Kratom industry leader since 2010, applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's actions against dangerous products containing synthetically concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). As part of those actions the Agency recommended the scheduling of certain 7-OH products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). FDA also released letters to heath care professionals and consumers to educate them on the risks of these dangerous products masquerading as kratom. These documents highlight differences between natural kratom products and concentrated 7-OH products, saying '7-OH products are designed to look like everyday treats like gummies, candies, and ice cream' and 'enhanced or spiked kratom products may appear to be natural leaf, but actually contain as much as 500% more 7-OH than would be expected naturally.' This follows a series of warning letters issued to companies illegally marketing products containing 7-OH products and was careful to clarify that its efforts were not related to kratom products with naturally occurring trace amounts of 7-OH. The Agency reassured Americans that they are not focused on scheduling or taking action against natural kratom leaf products. We applaud this enforcement action as a critical step for consumer protection. We encourage regulatory agencies and state officials to take aggressive action to remove these products from the market and safeguard the American public. We also encourage distributors to stop selling these products immediately. O.P.M.S. kratom products are and have always been free of harmful, synthetic alkaloids like 7-OH. Our strict manufacturing processes ensure that all O.P.M.S. products contain only natural kratom alkaloids and comply with alkaloid content and purity regulations. We will continue to support scientific, legislative, and regulatory efforts to ensure Americans have access to safe, efficacious kratom products.
