Podcasts

October 23, 2025

Episode 21 – A Conversation with the Director of California’s Department of Developmental Services

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 years
  • How DDS is working toward fairness for people of all backgrounds, languages, and incomes
  • The challenges the system faces as the needs of people with disabilities change
  • What updates and new ideas are most needed
  • Exciting new projects and reasons to be hopeful for the future

Pete 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.

Tarjan Center

In Other Words

The UCLA Tarjan Center’s podcast features Q&A-style discussions with speakers from our Distinguished Lecture Series. Hosted by Kecia Weller, Senior Disability Rights Advocate, and Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate, the podcast aims to make this content more accessible to our community. The lecture series is designed to expand awareness of emerging research and interventions, highlight disparities impacting underserved populations, and explore how public policies and practices influence the inclusion and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.