CCIDS Faculty, Staff and Trainees Present Research and Work-in-Progress at 2015 AUCD Annual Conference

Faculty, staff and a NH LEND trainee from the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies recently presented their research and work-in-progress at the 2015 Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Conference in Washington, DC. AUCD, founded in 1971, is a network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.

The theme of the 2015 conference, Growing Leaders: Driving Change, reflects AUCD’s commitment to champion positive change in the health, education, social, and economic well-being of people with disabilities, their families, and communities. Positive change requires diverse and resourceful leaders who work hard and find creative ways to surmount obstacles.

CCIDS faculty, staff and trainee presentation topics included the following: person-centered planning with Maine senior citizens with disabilities; building a peer support network for Maine adult siblings of individuals with disabilities; integrating team-based learning into the NH LEND curriculum; implementation of LEND trainee diversity quality improvement projects; how UCEDDs are helping to build peer-to-peer connections among self-advocacy organizations in six northeastern states.

Person-Centered Planning with Disabled Senior Citizens in Maine: Case Presentations From Piscataquis Thriving in Place Project (PDF)

Janet May, M.Ed., CCIDS Coordinator of Transition and Adults

This poster presentation describes how a person-centered planning model is explored with Maine senior citizens who experienced disability. Case studies from the project will be shared using examples from the planning sessions (i.e., photographs and other planning tools). The PCP sessions are a component of an initiative, Thriving in Place, a 3-year project that seeks to assist seniors and individuals with chronic illness to live in their own homes.

Building the Foundation for a Maine Chapter of the Sibling Leadership Network (PDF)

Kate Quinn Finlay, MS, LSW, 2014-2015 NH LEND Fellow at the University of Maine

This poster presentation describes a leadership in action project, building the foundation for a future Maine Chapter of the Sibling Leadership Network (SLN), for a 2014-2015 NH LEND Fellow at the University of Maine. Partnering with the Maine UCEDD was integral to the success of this project that has a targeted start of summer 2015. Participation in the May 2015 national Sibling Leadership Network Conference was among the highlights of this project.

Effective Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Integrating Team-Based Learning Methodology into the New Hampshire LEND Curriculum (PDF)

Rae Sonnenmeier, Ph.D., Faculty; NH LEND Program, University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability

Betsy Humphreys, Ph.D., LEND Training Director; NH LEND Program, University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability

Susan Russell, MS, Associate Director, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies; LEND Training Coordinator at the University of Maine, NH LEND Program

Alan Kurtz, MEd, Ph.D. Candidate, Coordinator of Education and Autism Initiatives, University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies; Faculty, NH LEND Program

This poster presentation describes how NH LEND faculty integrated Team-Based Learning into the LEND seminar during FY2015. Positive outcomes and challenges will be presented, including perspectives of both faculty and trainees. Faculty reported increases in the trainees’ abilities to engage the core concepts at a deeper level and increases in their overall capacity to work effectively with others, including those with diverse perspectives.

Implementation of LEND Trainee Diversity Quality Improvement Projects

Shannon Haworth, MA, Senior Program Specialist, AUCD

Betsy Humphreys, Ph.D., LEND Training Director; NH LEND Program, University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability

Susan Russell, MS, Associate Director, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies; LEND Training Coordinator at the University of Maine, NH LEND Program

Cynthia Ellis, MD, Director, Nebraska LEND, University of Nebraska Munroe-Meyer Institute

Kellie Ellerbusch, BLA, Interdisciplinary Training Director, Nebraska LEND, University of Nebraska Munroe-Meyer Institute

Tyler Reimschisel, MD, Director, Vanderbilt LEND, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

Moderated panel discussion with 3 LEND programs involved in quality improvement projects to increase trainee diversity in their programs. Nebraska LEND, New Hampshire LEND, and Vanderbilt LEND will share specific strategies and activities that have been implemented the outcomes of these diversity initiatives as well as challenges, facilitators to success, and lessons learned.

Collaboration Among N.E.A.T. (North East Advocates Together) and UCEDDs: Promoting Peer-to-Peer Connections Among 6 North East Atlantic States

Joanne Siegel, LCSW, Associate Director, Rose F. Kennedy UCEDD

Max Barrows, Outreach Director, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, VT

Skye Peebles, MPH, Program and Development Director, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, VT