Dr. Lorna Catford, Professor of Psychology at Sonoma State University, has been awarded the 2008 Reverend James E. Coffee Human Rights Award for her extraordinary efforts on behalf of families with an autistic member.
Catford is creator of the Collaborative Autism Training and Support (CATS) Program, providing family support, training, community awareness, education and autism seminars.
A growing network of autism experts, agencies and SSU students participate in this ongoing program, providing much needed support, education and awareness of this often misunderstood disability.
In her professional and personal live, Catford has inspired others to reach their fullest potential. A woman of many facets, Catford has been a teacher, counselor, clinical supervisor and mentor. She joined the faculty of SSU in 1988 to teach several subjects including Transpersonal Psychology, Creativity in Organizational Management and Human Development.
In 1991, she co-wrote "The Path of the Everyday Hero: Drawing on the Power of Myth to Meet Life's Most Important Challenges," and received national recognition for this work.
Catford and her husband founded the Special Parents Project to provide support for local families of children with serious special needs. In 2008, Catford received Parenting Publications of America's Silver Award. She has also been nominated for SSU's Excellence In Teaching Award in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In addition to her teaching and CATS program responsibilities, she serves as coordinator of SSU's Undergraduate Psychology Internship Program.
Recognized with the Professional Award, Catford will be honored with three other individuals or groups at the Fifth Annual Reverend James E. Coffee Human Rights Awards Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Redwood Credit Union Sonoma Community Room.
This special event is sponsored by Redwood Credit Union, Clover Stornetta Farms and State Farm Insurance. The afternoon features a program of choral music, performed by the Community Baptist Church Choir and light refreshment followed by the awards program. Please call (707) 565-2693 or e-mail at chr@sonoma-county.org for more information.
Catford's talk in 2006 with SSU Psychology Emeritus Professor David Van Nuys on his ShrinkRap Radio podcast features a discussion of her pioneering work. It can be found at Shrink Rap.
