熊猫在线视频 LEND Without Walls

 About 熊猫在线视频 LEND

熊猫在线视频 LEND Without Walls (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) provides leadership training for graduate students, practicing professionals,  individuals with disabilities, and family members to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents who have (or are at risk for developing) autism and other developmental disabilities.

LEND Program Components

  • Your goals
  • Interdisciplinary seminars
  • Family experiences
  • Clinical/Field experiences
  • Leadership project

 

  • LEND Goals

    Goals

    • Develop interdisciplinary leadership skills to promote systems change and advocacy on behalf of infants, children and adolescents who have, or are at risk for developing, autism and other developmental disabilities.
    • Advance the knowledge and skills of all child health professionals to improve health care delivery systems for children with developmental disabilities.
    • Provide high-quality interdisciplinary education that emphasizes the integration of services from state and local agencies and organizations.
    • Provide innovative practices to enhance cultural competency, family-centered care, and interdisciplinary partnerships.

     

  • LEND Program National Network

    LEND Program National Network

     
    • There are 60 LEND programs located in every US state, District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands reached through program partnerships.
    • These programs work together to address national issues of importance to children with special health care needs and their families, exchange best practices, and develop shared products.
    • LEND programs come together regionally to address issues specific to their location.
    • Visit the website to learn more.
     

     

    LEND is a federal training program funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) to ensure that children with special health care needs and neurodevelopmental disabilities have access to health and education professionals with expertise in family-centered care, interprofessional teams, and leadership systems-level change.

    UAA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: .

 
LEND Fellows have a passion to make a difference in their disciplines and in many issues that impact the disability community as a whole. They are the disability leaders of today and the future.
 
Betsey Jacobs

鈥淪ummer camp for people with disabilities has been my dream as long as I can remember, but LEND helped to show me that I can do more than dream and talk about it, I can actually DO it.鈥�

-Betsey Jacobs, SLP, LEND Fellows

LEND Trainings

熊猫在线视频 LEND without Walls requires a minimum commitment from long term Fellows of 300 hours, which includes over 100 hours of clinical experience in an academic year. Long term Fellows receive a Workforce Credential and a stipend for completion of the LEND program. UAA Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) credits are available, 3 per semester.

The LEND program is offered using distance technology to Fellows across the state, including Video Conferencing and some Web conferencing. LEND Fellows also travel to Anchorage three times during the program year. Approved travel for required LEND activities will be paid for by the grant.

 

  • Expectations
    • Sept鈥揗ay Academic Year commitment 
    • Participate in weekly seminars, Fridays 1-4 pm (offered via video/web conferencing at community sites outside of Anchorage)
    • Attend three Leadership Workshops (2-days each, face-to-face in Anchorage; at beginning, middle, and end of program)
    • Complete all program requirements
    • Monthly meeting with your faculty mentor
    • Spend an average of 5鈥�10 hours per week on LEND activities such as seminar, clinical/field experiences, time with host family, and leadership project
  • Long Term Fellows

     You must meet at least one of the four eligibility criteria.

    a) Baccalaureate degree and enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following disciplines: nursing, public health, social work, psychology, special education, education, speech language pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, or medicine.
    -OR-
    b) Graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: nursing, public health, social work, psychology, special education, education, speech language pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, or medicine. 
    -OR-
    c) Baccalaureate degree and at least 5 years of experience with increasing professional responsibilities in the field of developmental and related disabilities.
    -OR-
    d) You are a parent/family member of a child OR a self-advocate with a developmental disability.

    -AND-

    Have long-term professional leadership goals focused in developmental disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder in 熊猫在线视频. Long Term Fellows develop an individualized leadership training plan with their faculty mentor which meets their personal long term goals. All program components tie directly to this plan and many options are available within each component. Twelve Long Term Fellows are selected to participate each year.

  • Advanced Medium Term Fellows

    As a parent of a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, or as someone who experiences an intellectual or developmental disability, there is also an Advanced Medium Term Fellowship opportunity. This Fellowship completes 150 hours instead of 300 hours over two semesters. Three Advanced Medium Term Fellows are selected to participate each year. 

    Advanced Medium Term Fellows focus on building leadership and advocacy skills. Advanced Medium Term Fellows attend all seminars and training, and complete field hours to meet individual goals. Advanced Medium Term Fellows do not complete a leadership project, clinical observation hours, and the host family experience that the Long Term Fellows complete.

  • MENTOR

     Mentoring is a foundational component of the LEND experience.

    • Faculty Mentoring

      Faculty Mentoring

      As part of the LEND experience, Fellows develop a relationship with a UAA faculty member, usually in their discipline. LEND Faculty Mentors work with Fellows as they participate and reflect through their experiences in LEND. Mentors help craft the Fellow's goals and Leadership Project.

      Fellows meet with mentors (in person, by phone or video chat) to discuss areas of strength and areas for growth and discuss goals for LEND and brainstorm about the Leadership Project. Fellows meet to discuss progress, reflect on learning from LEND experiences, and adjust goals as needed. Mentors are available to problem-solve with Fellows when support is needed.

      Benefits of being in a mentoring relationship:

      • Accelerate personal and professional leadership skills development
      • Access to expertise and advice
      • Problem solving partner 
    • Host Family Mentoring

      Host Family Mentoring Experience

      Understanding and utilizing family-centered practices is a key part of the LEND program. In addition to discussion and didactic learning in seminar, Fellows build a relationship with at least one family to understand the challenges families of children and youth with ASD/DD face in such areas as shopping, transportation, housing, education, and recreation. Family faculty matches Fellows to a mentoring host family. Fellows spend 25鈥�30 hours during the year with their host family.

      Fellow with their host family

      Objectives of the Host Family Mentoring Experience:

      • To understand the impact of raising a child with a disability may have on the entire family.
      • To increase appreciation of the capabilities and contributions of children with disabilities.
      • To learn about the emotions and stages of adjustment experienced by parents, when a child is diagnosed with a disability. 
      • To appreciate the value of good collaboration between parents and professionals. 
      • To learn about community resources available for children with disabilities and their families. 
      • To consider obstacles, challenges, opportunities and outcomes of school and community inclusion, for children with disabilities. 
      • To understand the importance of family-centered practices.

      If you are a parent of a child who experiences a developmental or related disability and are interested in being a mentoring family for a LEND Fellow, please contact the Training Coordinator.

Complete the Cohort Application for 2023/2024

 
  • Eligibility Requirements

    You must meet at least one of the four eligibility criteria.

    a) Baccalaureate degree and enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following disciplines: nursing, public health, social work, psychology, special education, education, speech language pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, or medicine.
    -OR-
    b) Graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: nursing, public health, social work, psychology, special education, education, speech language pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, or medicine. 
    -OR-
    c) Baccalaureate degree and at least 5 years of experience with increasing professional responsibilities in the field of developmental and related disabilities.
    -OR-
    d) You are a parent/family member of a child OR a self-advocate with a developmental disability.

    -AND-

    Have long-term professional leadership goals focused in developmental disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder in 熊猫在线视频. Long Term Fellows develop an individualized leadership training plan with their faculty mentor which meets their personal long term goals. All program components tie directly to this plan and many options are available within each component. Twelve Long Term Fellows are selected to participate each year.

    Advanced Medium-Term Fellow Opportunity

    For a parent of a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, or as someone who experiences an intellectual or developmental disability, there is also a Advanced Medium Term Fellowship opportunity. This Fellowship completes 150 hours instead of 300 hours over two semesters. Three Advanced Medium Term Fellows are selected to participate each year. 

    Advanced Medium Term Fellows focus on building leadership and advocacy skills. Advanced Medium Term Fellows attend all seminars and training, and complete field hours to meet individual goals. Advanced Medium Term Fellows do not complete a leadership project, clinical observation hours, and the host family experience that the Long Term Fellows complete.

  • Expectations 
    • Sept鈥揗ay Academic Year commitment 
    • Participate in weekly seminars, Fridays 1-4 pm (offered via video/web conferencing at community sites outside of Anchorage)
    • Attend three Leadership Workshops (2-days each, face-to-face in Anchorage; at beginning, middle, and end of program)
    • Complete all program requirements
    • Monthly meeting with your faculty mentor
    • Spend an average of 5鈥�10 hours per week on LEND activities such as seminar, clinical/field experiences, time with host family, and leadership project
  • Application Instructions

    To complete the 熊猫在线视频 LEND Without Walls application:

    1. Review the minimum requirements for eligibility. 
    2. Complete the online application form including information (name, organization, position, and email address)for two professional references.
    3. Resume: Make sure to include education, work experiences, professional honors and/or awards, and professional activities (such as membership in professional organizations, etc.).  Save this as a Word document or PDF with your name in the file name (e.g., jane_smith_resume.doc)
    4. Write a 1-2 page personal statement including:
      • Describe your experience working with children with special needs and their families. List course work/workshops/trainings in disabilities (e.g., developmental disabilities and autism).
      • What does leadership mean to you, and what qualities do you think speak to your leadership potential?
      • What do you hope to gain from participating in an interdisciplinary program focused on leadership development related to serving children with special needs and their families?
      • Save this as a Word document or PDF with your name in the file name (e.g., jane_smith_personal_statement.doc)
    5. Transcripts: Academic transcripts are required for all disciplines except Family. Scanned or unofficial copies are acceptable.
    6. All documents can be uploaded in the electronic application:
      • Resume
      • Personal Statement, addressing the questions in number 3, above.
      • Copy of your academic transcripts. Scanned or unofficial copies are acceptable.
    7. References: Have two people who can attest to your academic and/or professional performance and can speak to your potential as a leader. You will include their information (name, organization, position, and email address) at the end of the electronic application form. Once you submit your application, a recommendation form will be automatically sent to the references you provided information for.
 
 

Questions? Contact the LEND Training Coordinator

Though academic experience is helpful, it is not required for this Fellowship.

Fellows who are selected receive a stipend for completing the program. All travel required for the LEND program will be paid by the LEND program.

Meet the People

  • Faculty and Staff
    Image Coming Soon
    Rachel White
    熊猫在线视频 LEND Director & Psychology Faculty
    Dr. Jenny Miller
    Dr. Jenny Miller
    LEND Training Director & Public Health Faculty
    image coming soon
    Dr. Starrina Gianellonia
    Medicine Faculty
    Image Coming SoonDanielle Keller
    Occupational Therapy Faculty
    Image Coming Soon
    BreeAnn Davis
    Family Faculty
    Dr. Mary Dallas Allen
    Dr. Mary Dallas Allen 
    Social Work Faculty
    Anna Spilker
    Anna Spilker
    Speech-Language Pathology Faculty
    Image Coming SoonKelly McBride
    Special Education Faculty
    Tracy Charles-Smith
    Tracy Charles-Smith
    Family Faculty
    Maggie Winston
    Maggie Winston
    Self-Advocate Faculty
    Nathan Rabang is standing in front of rocks and water wearing sunglasses and smiling into the camera
    Nathan Rabang
    LEND Training Coordinator
  • Past LEND Fellows
    • 2020-2021 Cohort
      2020-2021 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2020-2021
      Brita Steinberger, Katie Cronk, Eric Gurley, Hillary Landers, Jennifer Dera, Lixue Mason, Sarah Evans, Abigail Ogilbee, Yonna Pereyra, Jena Crafton
       
      Medium Term Fellows 2020-2021
      Donna Lacour, Patricia West
    • 2019-2020 Cohort
      2019-2020 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2019-2020
      Autumn Smith, Brianna Gibbs, Erin Main, Jaeok Kim, Jessie Doherty, Katherine Adams, Laurie Hodne, Lee Waters, Melissa Anderson, Nicole Zegiestowsky, Samantha Skirko, Tobe Gurley
       
      Medium Term Fellows 2019-2020
      Caitlin Jones, Corey Gilmore, Shoni Evans
    • 2018-2019 Cohort
      Long Term Fellow 2018-2019
      Alison Nielson, Eva Lyons, Marcy Belisle McGraw, Lisa Kness, Tristan Berkey, Juliana Crandall, Travis Cooper, Kim Kovol, Mackenzie, Kylie Clark
       
      Advanced Medium Term Fellow 2018-2019
      Ester Bennett
      Joshua Kamerick
    • 2017-2018 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2017-2018
      Amanda Kulikov; John Cartwright; Marisha Bourgeois; Angela Gill; K Nunemann; Rebecca Bjorke; Carolyn Michaud; Kelly McBride; Rita Kittoe; Greta Goto; Kim Dugas
       
      Medium Term Fellows 2018-2018
      Cora Trowbridge; Rene King; Sydney Krebsbach
    • 2016-2017 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2016-2017
      Alicia Mahlow; Jennifer Malecha; Rashayne Zimmer; Anna Maguire; Kristen McKay; Samantha Cowper; Beverly Rivard; Kristin Riall; Stephanie Johnson; Brenda Spofford; Montean Jackson; Valerie Schmitz
       
      Medium Term Fellows 2016-2017
      Chad Niewendorp; Karli Lopez; Maggie Winston
    • 2015-2016 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2015-2016
      Ann Waldron; Lyon Johnson; Charlotte Kimber; Cindy Hensley; Becky Parenteau; Robin McNeilley; Erin Kinavey Wennerstrom; Jada Kahl; Tiffany McCormack; Christina Savel; Christina Bieber; Heidi Shinn Aga; Mel Nobles
    • 2014-2015 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2014-2015
      Amy Sundheim; Krista James; Sara Burley; Anna Cook; Mary Elam; Stephanie Cornwell-George; Breanna James; Maureen O'Keefe; Tara Maltby; Jennifer Glorioso; PJ Hatfield-Bauer 
    • 2013-2014 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2013-2014
      Anna Spilker; Jeanine Jeffers-Woolf; Maya Heim; Arlene Patuc; Diana Molina; Megan Bolthouse; Jessica Purser; Lejla Berberovic; Sonya King; Emily Vober Reeves; Lisa Balivet; Susan Nugent 
    • 2012-2013 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2012-2013
      Carrie Plant; Diane Leithead; Heather Chord; Jayme Ellerbe; Karrianna Gallagher; Lynn Palmer; Loree Rayback; Maureen Harwood; Stephanie Johnson; Ursula Jones
    • 2011-2012 Cohort
      Long Term Fellows 2011-2012
      Betsey Jacobs; Colleen Powers; Gretchen Chamberlain; Hilary Wilson; Karen Gibson; Kathleen Hansen; Laurie Lopez; Lisa Jackson; Marna Schwartz; Maureen McGlone; Melissa Dobbs; Teresa Hurley

 

Resources

The Provider Toolkit is a resource for primary care providers working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
My Health Toolkit is a resource for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to support communicating with primary care providers.