Press Releases: 2007 Releases

Former Disabilites Agency Director Diane Coughlin Accepts President and CEO Position at UCP of Central Maryland

Pikesville, Md.—United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland (UCP-CM) announced today that former Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Director Diane K. Coughlin will head the 54-year-old organization that serves thousands of children and adults with physical disabilities throughout the state.

“UCP of Central Maryland couldn’t be more pleased that Diane Coughlin, who is an extremely accomplished and respected advocate for the physically and developmentally disabled, will be leading UCP’s efforts in Maryland,” said UCP-CM board Chairman Chip Hurley. “She has the overall experience and leadership abilities that will be a great boon for the individuals who we serve at UCP of Central Maryland.”

Coughlin is known nationally for her efforts helping individuals with disabilities. She served as director of the Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) since 1995, where she managed a $700 million budget and more than 1,500 employees. DDA serves over 20,000 individuals with disabilities. Among her many accomplishments there, Diane initiated and successfully completed comprehensive regulatory reform including rewriting all regulations governing the provision of services to people with developmental disabilities.

Coughlin’s prior experience working with individual’s with disabilities dates as far back as the late 1970s and includes serving in the Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities (OID) as its first executive director of the state coordinating council, which reviewed and approved residential placement plans for children with disabilities. She later served director of the OID where she directed a high profile cabinet level office serving as the point-person for policy development and analysis on disability issues. Coughlin also worked as assistant to the superintendent of the Rosewood Center as well as serving as residential services administrator and a staff psychologist for Rosewood.

With numerous activities and award to her credit, Coughlin currently serves as president of the board of directors of the National Association of Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. Her awards include the 1999 Award for Excellence in State Policy Collaboration from the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation; the 1999 President’s Cup Award from Arc of Maryland; and national, state and regional awards from the American Association on Mental Retardation.

A 1974 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science in psychology, Coughlin went on to earn a master’s degree in community-clinical psychology from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She has also taken advanced studies at Howard University in developmental psychology and statistics. Currently, Coughlin resides in Bel Air, Md.

UCP of Central Maryland is a nonprofit organization promoting the independence, productivity and full citizenship of children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Baltimore County, the agency serves people in Baltimore City and 18 counties in Maryland, providing special education and therapeutic services for children, as well as residential services and in-home support, day programs, respite care, and assistive technology.

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