Supporting our Patients | UC Davis MIND Institute

Clinic appointments can be stressful for some children. The Child Life Program helps to minimize anxiety and discomfort by helping families prepare for and cope during visits. Child life specialists are developmental experts trained to provide evidence-based interventions such as therapeutic play, sensory-friendly tools and step-by-step visual guides to prepare for medical procedures like blood draws.

The PATH Program (Promoting Accessibility to Healthcare) is a Children’s Miracle Network grant-funded project aimed at improving health care experiences for neurodivergent children and their families. PATH’s goal is to grow inclusive patient-centered practices and training for providers at UC Davis Health.

The Family Navigator Program provides parent-to-parent peer mentoring to help caregivers navigate the journey of raising a child with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Our experienced parent mentors offer personalized guidance, emotional support, and practical strategies to empower families. We can help you access resources in your community, advocate for services and supports, learning about evidence-based practices, understanding a new diagnosis and what it means for your family, building a support network of parents who share similar experiences, and practicing self-care to maintain your well-being.

You are not alone. Our family navigators are here to support, guide you, and connecting with other parents who have firsthand experience navigating similar challenges.

The MIND Institute Community Engagement and Resource Center helps people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers connect to resources and support in a welcoming and easy to use space. Experienced staff provide parent-to-parent support over the phone and in person, in Spanish and English.

The MIND Institute's Child Life Program has organized fun events that are free and open to everyone in the community. These events are designed for the whole family to enjoy and include activities that are suitable for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. In the past, these events have included movie nights, yoga and family game nights, trunk-or-treat events, and back to school picnics/talent showcases.

We offer opportunity for siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities to come together with peers (other siblings) and participate in structured curriculum covering a multitude of topics such as stress and coping. We include discussions, activities, games, social opportunities and arts and crafts.

We partner with community agencies to provide free developmental play groups.

Tele-health assessment and co-management with MIND Institute Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians and Primary Care Physicians at Tribal Health Center

UC Davis Medical home pediatricians, MIND Institute Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians and therapists and family navigators from UC Davis Child and Adolescent Abuse Resource and Evaluation Center provide trauma informed assessment and ongoing care and integrated medical home care for Foster Youth and caregivers.

Sacramento County Health Center and Glassrock Pediatrics and UC Davis Medical home pediatricians, MIND Institute Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians provide assessment and ongoing care of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities within the pediatric medical home.

UC Davis Medical home pediatricians, MIND Institute Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians and therapists and family navigators from UC Davis Child and Adolescent Abuse Resource and Evaluation Center provide trauma informed assessment and ongoing care in our community.