A new article was published by Dr. Sharon Milberger and MI-LEND Program colleagues from both Wayne State University and Michigan State University. The article, entitled "Using a LIFE Framework to Develop MCH Leaders", examines the impact that the MI-LEND 'LIFE' framework has on the development of essential competencies identified within the leadership program.

Summary: After completing a master's degree at Harvard University, Julia Anderson (MNLEND 2016-17) is turning her experience in disability policy to a new task: innovating state programs for Massachusetts.

The MN UCEDD jointly offers the Disability Policy and Services Certificate to students who want a deeper understanding of disability. Akeem Anderson, a University of Minnesota J.D./Ph.D. student interested in the intersection of race, health, and law, is adding the Institute's Disability Policy and Services Certificate to his already hefty academic pursuits.

Every two years, Community Crossroads hosts a premiere Biennial Community Partnership Celebration, and this year, it was held on October 13 at the Atkinson Country Club & Resort. Student Kate Lonergan of UNH College of Health and Human Services was in attendance and won the Outstanding DSP Award, as was UNH-4U student Andrew. Two NH Leadership Series grads also took home awards: Regan Lamphier ('17) won the Kathleen Murphy Community Partnership Award and James Watson ('14) won the Outstanding Achievement Compass Award.

Food and friendly fun were themes of the 2022 Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Family Picnic held at the Portland Campus of the University of New England on September 24. The picnic has been an annual LEND event with the goal of supporting families in the community and spearheading Family-Led partnerships which are integral to the training program.

We are pleased to announce our 2022 Council Trainee Representatives.

Dr. Ann Marie Martin, a post-doctoral research fellow at the Indiana LEND, has been awarded the 2022 Research Grant Award from the Society for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Committee. Photo Alt text: Image of a young woman with long brown hair and brown eyes. She is smiling at the camera.

The AUCD Board of Directors is seeking nominations from the network's Emerging Leader community to fill the newly created Emerging Leader Board Member voting position on the Board. The Emerging Leader Board Member will be a voting member on AUCD's national Board of Directors and serve as a representative of the Association and broader AUCD network. This position will bring the voice and perspective of the AUCD Emerging Leader Community, including but not limited to trainees and early career professionals in the network.

The Maine LEND graduated 12 Trainees from the program in May 2022. As part of demonstrations of Maternal and Child Health Competencies and LEND tenets, the Trainees each participated in an elective project that was presented at the end of April.

Louisiana's UCEDD, LSUHSC Human Development Center, is proud to see Louisiana LEND scholars receive honors from the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health Professions as they completed their respective programs on May 19th.