Trainees & Early Career Professionals
AUCD encourages trainees to be involved in the national network of LEND, UCEDD, and IDDRC programs and has created a number of opportunities for trainee involvement.
An AUCD Trainee is any individual who is enrolled in one of AUCD's LEND, UCEDD, or IDDRC programs. A trainee might be an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student in a discipline such as audiology or social work; a trainee might be a fellow in pediatrics or psychology; a trainee might be a research assistant working on a genetic disorder or a family member learning about leadership. All trainees have a common desire to continue learning about helping and working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
There are over 4,000 AUCD trainees enrolled in the nation's LEND, UCEDD, and IDDRC programs. By being a trainee at an AUCD-member program, individuals are also members of AUCD. These AUCD trainees form a network and can learn from each other by discussing and sharing their common interests and unique experiences.
Are you an AUCD trainee?
As you begin your journey with AUCD, these three Trainee Orientation Modules will help you learn, connect, get involved, and grow as part of the network. Each includes videos and links to related resources. They were created with input and support from a range of leaders, including recent trainees. The information is sequenced so you can gradually build your understanding, but feel free to jump in wherever and whenever you are ready to start!
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Trainee & Early Career Professional News
10/15/2018
AUCD Welcomes our Two New Emerging Leader Interns!
The two new Emerging Leaders Interns (formerly the Virtual Trainees), Shayla and Nell, joined the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) team in September 2018! The two interns work together to passionately represent the AUCD Emerging Leaders Community. They will work together to build and enhance the community by being connection points between the national network and each Program/Center by ensuring Emerging Leaders receive information and opportunities related to leadership, research, fellowships, and more.
10/12/2018
Maximizing Leadership Potential in Racial and Ethnic Minority LEND Trainees
The LEND programs of the PacWest region have worked together and consistently sought ways to strengthen interdisciplinary leadership training and achieve a diverse MCH workforce over the past four years. We began the process by identifying barriers and gaps in supporting and mentoring racially and ethnically diverse LEND trainees.
10/12/2018
Va-LEND Welcomes New FME Coordinator
Kathryn "Kate" Flinn is the new Family Mentorship Experience Coordinator (FME) at Va-LEND. Although she became the new FME Coordinator this past July, Kate's connection with Va-LEND began four years ago. According to Kate, in September of 2014 she worked with Va-LEND Trainees on an autism fitness program where she coordinated at the YMCA in Richmond, for teens with Asperger's/High Functioning Autism. Kate has a son who is on the Autism Disability Spectrum (ASD).
Past Trainee Events
AUCD Leadership Academy
Monday, June 25, 2018 - Saturday, June 30, 2018Location: Atlanta, GA
The AUCD Leadership Academy is a week-long program designed to enhance the skills of current and emerging leaders from the disability network in building coalitions that will improve systems of supports and services. Participation is open to individuals from Self Advocacy Organizations, UCEDDs, LENDs, IDDRCs, CILs, DD Councils, Disability Rights, community based disability organizations, and other disability partners to come together to immerse themselves for a week of study, shared experiences, self-evaluation, and skill development. Participants will continue to engage with their cohort, academy staff, local coaches, and national allies in the year following the experience. The academy will focus on the exploration of shared values and commitments to civil and human rights, assessments of personal and leadership strengths, skills in building partnerships to achieve collective impact, and establishing personal and professional leadership goals.
2018 AUCD Trainee Summit
Sunday, April 22, 20182:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Washington, DC
On Sunday evening immediately before the Disability Policy Seminar, AUCD is hosting a special Trainee Policy Summit! Attendees will have exclusive access to Hill staffers and former trainees now working in policy, and learn from the experts how to best craft your message for Wednesday's Hill visits. An evening reception will provide a comfortable background for trainees to meet and network with over 200 peers from around the country.
Join the Trainee listserve to discuss issues related to your training.
