LEND alums testify at the state and national level
The trip to Washinton DC’s Capitol Hill is often one of the most memorable experiences for NH-ME LEND trainees. For some, this experience ignites a spark for pursuing careers in public policy or self-advocacy after LEND. Many Alums remain committed to raising their voices about important issues impacting themselves, their families, and all people with disabilities. Spotlight would like to highlight several who have applied their LEND leadership skills and stepped up this year to testify at the federal or state level.
Nicole Sheaff traveled to Washington DC with Rising Moms
“During LEND, I was able to fine-tune my story and my engagement. I learned to sit back and reflect on what information was crucial to share and how I could build on statements made by my colleagues for a more powerful impact” ~ Nicole Sheaff
Nicole Sheaff (LEND 2025) testified in Washington, D.C., at a House Steering and Policy Committee Hearing about her lived experience with the Affordable Health Care Act, specifically, how subsidy changes would impact her family. She presented her perspective as a caregiver who left the profession of occupational therapy to provide full-time care for her children with mental health and neurodevelopmental disabilities. She also wrote testimony regarding mandatory work requirements for Granite Advantage Medicaid members and testified in person at the NH state capitol on HB1688, which expanded the circumstances when restraint is permitted in schools and treatment facilities and modified the definition of seclusion.
Kasey McBlais (LEND 2024) already had experience testifying prior to LEND. She attributes the leadership skills gained through LEND to giving her even more confidence and the motivation to encourage others to speak up and testify. Kasey is a member of the Right from the Start and works for the Maine Parent Federation. Within the past year, she has provided testimony for multiple Maine state bills. For LD 1566, she shared her personal experience. “I have been asked to participate in numerous committees, planning boards, etc., to provide parent feedback and perspective. I was not compensated for my time, yet every other individual on those committees and planning boards was being compensated as part of their job. I felt very strongly, and still do, that an authentic parent/caregiver partnership must be one that is equitable, fair, and just. This bill was a step in that direction.”
Tucker Conley (LEND 2025) and Cindy Thielen (LEND 2020) are both members of Speaking Up For Us, Maine’s self-advocacy network, and both submitted written testimony this past year. Tucker wrote in support of LD 834 to increase the state supplement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to address price increases in rent and purchases and better support participation in community events. Cindy was motivated to submit testimony for LD 1766 and LD 1173 due to her experiences of being under guardianship and seeing evidence that Maine's probate court system is very much in need of reform. She shared, “LEND helped me understand what the community was already doing to support people with disabilities, and I am now taking what I learned to speak out to make an even bigger difference.”
Seana Hallberg (LEND 2024), neurodivergent clinician and school board member, has been focusing her efforts on special education bills. LEND connected her to the New Hampshire Council for Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD), where she later joined the policy committee. This past year, she testified in person for HB 1316, which restricts the collection and disclosure of autism-related data by state agencies. “NHCDD has helped me learn more about what is happening in the state around disability policy. I began to form relationships with State Reps and have conversations centering disabled voices.”
Through LEND, Karen Blake (LEND 2013), Director of Community Partnerships for Community Crossroads, NH, found her passion for legislative advocacy and education on disability related topics.
Karen Blake testifies on SB670 NH Senate HHS Committee
“I had not testified before becoming a part of LEND. Through the program, I learned how to research a topic, write a policy brief, schedule meetings with legislators/staff, and present the information.” ~ Karen Blake
Karen testified on her own behalf in support of two bills this past year: SB670 to establish a disability oversight committee and HB 1316 to restrict the collection and disclosure of autism-related data. Her testimonies pointed out the importance of safety oversight of her loved one now and when she is gone, as well as the importance of adults with disability to grant permission for the use of data collected when they were children.
NH-ME LEND is proud of the numerous alumni who are dedicated to testifying and engaging in the legislative process by using their professional and personal knowledge to educate legislators at the state and national levels.
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