News is divided into three categories: ITAC News, ASD/DD News, and LEND/DBP News. Click the “View All” Links to see previous items. Please send Ben Kaufman any suggestions for additional news items.
ITAC News
AIR-P Update January 2023
AIR-P held its fourth Research Day, at the AUCD 2022 conference, November 13-16th! For the first time, our sessions were threaded throughout the conference and fostered meaningful connections with fellow attendees. Highlights from our sessions include:
Updates from the State Public Health Autism Resource Center
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) is pleased to announce the launch of a new State Public Health Autism Resource Center (SPHARC) website. SPHARC is a comprehensive web-based resource center intended to provide ongoing technical assistance and facilitate cross-state learning to increase the capacity of states in developing and implementing systems of care for children and youth with ASD/DD.
Frankenberg Visiting Professorship for Early Development and Behavior Challenges in Primary Care
Dr. Pamela High, director of Rhode Island LEND and Brown University�s Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics fellowship program, was honored to be invited as the 10th visiting professor for the annual Frankenberg Visiting Professorship & Lectureship at the Children�s Hospital of Colorado.
ASD/DD News
MN LEND Graduates Celebrate
This year, 28 fellows have earned full MNLEND certificates, along with seven intermediate trainees who joined the program for a more limited, focused experience. They come from University of Minnesota academic disciplines, including Public Health Administration, Law, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Dentistry, and many more; or are community members in disability-related professions, self-advocates, or family advocates.
Oklahoma LEND Graduate Makes it to the State House
Oklahoma LEND graduate, Ellyn Hefner, class of 2014, is elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Prior to being accepted into the OK LEND program, Ellyn was a strong advocate for her son to ensure he would have the same opportunities as his siblings. She graduated from the Oklahoma Partners in Policymaking class sponsored by the Developmental Disability Council of Oklahoma.
LEND and NERGN DNA Today Podcast/Spotify
Betsy Humphreys, Karen Volle, and NH-ME LEND trainee Karina Mancini were interviewed for the "DNA Today" podcast by host Kira Dineen. The interview explores how LEND and NERGN (New England Regional Genetics Network) support training of future interdisciplinary leaders.
LEND / DBP News
Harnessing Uniqueness: MNLEND Fellow Leverages Neuroscience Advances to Explore Brain-Behavior Links
A MN LEND fellow searches neuroimaging databases for patterns that could lead to more personalized and effective strategies for regulating emotions, or developing social cognition, among other skills.
WI LEND Names New Director
Gail S. Chodron, PhD, was recently named director of the Wisconsin LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) program, located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Waisman Center UCEDD. Dr. Chodron was a WI LEND trainee in 2007-2008 and has been part of the WI LEND faculty ever since, most recently serving as training director.
Call for UCEDD LEND ECHO Organizations
The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities is inviting organizations across the network to join the newly formed UCEDD LEND ECHO Collaborative. These monthly calls are open to any UCEDD or LEND program that is currently replicating or interested in implementing the ECHO model. The collaborative will allow UCEDD, LEND, and partner agencies to share successes, challenges, and strategies in using the ECHO model to build capacity throughout their programs supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.