We hope this finds you well. With the fall semester coming to a close, it’s time to share some highlights, news, and updates.
First, we are pleased to announce our new name - the NH-Maine LEND Program. This name reflects our strong partnership, now in year 6, with the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies at the University of Maine. In the last cycle we engaged 108 long-term trainees across two states from more than 13 disciplines who have gone on to regional or national leadership positions in higher education, public health, Title V Programs, developmental disabilities agencies or direct clinical services.
Also of note, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau expanded the national LEND “footprint” in this funding cycle with 53 LEND programs across the US. In the Northeast Region, we welcomed three new LEND programs; one at the University of New England (Portland, ME), one at the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT), and one at Rhode Island College (Providence, RI). Last week we met some of our new colleagues at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities Annual Conference in Washington, DC to discuss potential collaborations.
This year NH-ME LEND is pleased to welcome four new leadership placements. In Maine, a LEND trainee is working at the Office of Aging and Disability Services within the Maine Department of Health & Human Services. In New Hampshire, LEND trainees are working with the School-wide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT), Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education, and Work (RENEW), and the Inclusive Communities Projects - all are projects within the Institute on Disability at UNH. We welcome all our new partners!
Last, but not least, we are recruiting for the 2017-2018 academic year. If you know a dynamic individual who is interested in an intensive, resource-rich experience in interdisciplinary leadership skill development, let us know!
From all of us at NH-ME LEND, we wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season!
