New Hampshire-Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH-ME LEND) Program – 2021-2026

Maine LEND Trainees and Faculty from Fall 2023.

The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies is partnering with the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability, and Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, in the New Hampshire-Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH-ME LEND) Program. NH-ME LEND provides graduate level interdisciplinary training for students and professionals from diverse disciplines, including developmental pediatrics, early childhood education, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, health management and policy, and speech language pathology. Program activities include leadership development, clinical training, continuing education/technical assistance, research, and cultural competency field work. University of Maine trainees participate remotely in the weekly NH-ME LEND seminar through the use of eLearning and videoconferencing technology.

Applications for the 2024-2025 NH-ME LEND Program at the University of Maine are now being accepted. Interviews for eligible candidates will be scheduled upon receipt of a completed application packet. Complete the online application here or download the application here (PDF) and refer to the section, “Directions for Applicants.”

Competitive scholarships are available to qualified applicants with funding provided by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Download the NH-ME LEND Program brochure (PDF) here.

Do you have more questions about the NH-ME LEND Program?

This rigorous 9-month curriculum follows the academic calendar and includes coursework and hands-on experiences with faculty, families, community partners, and legislators that support trainees’ abilities to:

  1. Develop leadership skills that address the needs of children who have neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families, and allow trainees to move into leadership roles in their communities.
  2. Develop an understanding of public policy and evidence-based care.
  3. Participate in clinical training at hospital and community-based clinical settings in Maine.

Program activities include leadership development, clinical training, continuing education/technical assistance, research, and cultural competency field work.

To learn more about the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) training program download the LEND brochure (PDF) here.

Funding Source:

HRSA Logo

The NH-ME LEND Program is supported by a grant (#T73MC332460300) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).

Funding Period:

July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2026

Meet the NH-ME LEND Program Trainees from UMaine:

UMaine Trainees’ Publications and Presentations

Related Projects:

NH-ME ECHO SCOPE – NH-ME LEND was accepted as one of ten Primary Lead Programs participating in a National Training Initiative called Project SCOPE – Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic. Project SCOPE is intended to build nationwide provider capacity and confidence in applying evidence-based practices in screening, monitoring, and supporting children diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), or suspected of being impacted by opioid use, trauma, or related exposure. NH-ME LEND will lead the implementation of this project in both states in collaboration with state directors of early intervention (Part C) services. Project SCOPE training will be delivered using a tele-practice model known as Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes or ECHO.

Contact Person(s):

Betsy Humphreys, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and Program Director
NH-ME LEND Program
Institute on Disability/UCED
University of New Hampshire
55 College Road, 103 Pettee Hall
Durham, NH 03824
elizabeth.humphreys@unh.edu

Alan Cobo-Lewis, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator and Co-Program Director
NH-ME LEND Program
University of Maine
Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (UCEDD)
5717 Corbett Hall, Room 230
Orono, ME 04469-5717
207.581.1084
800.203.6957
207.581.1231 (Fax)
TTY users call Maine Relay 711
alanc@maine.edu

Stacy Driscoll, B.A., M.Ed., Interdisciplinary Training Director
Institute on Disability
55 College Rd, 103 Pettee Hall
Durham, NH 03824
603.862.4839
Stacy.Driscoll@unh.edu

Susan Russell, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate (ABD), Interdisciplinary Training Co-Director
NH-ME LEND Program
University of Maine
Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (UCEDD)
5717 Corbett Hall, Room 229
Orono, ME 04469-5717
207.581.1381
800.203.6957
TTY users call Maine Relay 711
srussell@maine.edu

Jennifer Maeverde, B.S., M.A., Faculty
University of Maine
Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
5717 Corbett Hall, Rm 234
Orono, ME 04469-5717
207.949.2463 (cell)
jennifer.maeverde@maine.edu

Marnie Morneault, B.S., M.Ed., Faculty
University of Maine
Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
5717 Corbett Hall, Rm 234
Orono, ME 04469-571
207.735.6134 (cell)
marnie.morneault@maine.edu

Hibo Omer, MPH, Faculty
University of Maine
homer@nmphi.org

Desiree Peña, M.A., CCC-SLP, Faculty
University of Maine
desiree.pena@maine.edu

Tracey Miller, M.Ed.
University of Maine, Faculty
traceynmiller@gmail.com

Ivory Mills, B.S., Faculty
University of Maine
ivory.c.mills@gmail.com

Links:

Project photo courtesy of the NH-ME LEND Program.

New Hampshire-Maine LEND
Institute on Disability/UCED, University of New Hampshire
Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine.