In this episode, Dr. Chris Murray from the University of Oregon’s UCEDD shares how decades of research, training, and deep community engagement have helped shape better outcomes for people with disabilities.

Topics Include:

- Overview of the Oregon UCEDD and their focus on early intervention and paraeducators

- How UCEDDs adapt to the needs of the community

- The critical value of UCEDD funding in Oregon and nationally

- The challenge of self-promotion in advocacy

- Balance between systems change and individual supports

- Why empathy must be backed by ongoing action

**A quick note: As of this recording, Congress is still in the appropriations process, and funding for UCEDDs is at risk. You can help protect the future of disability services, research, and training by contacting your members of Congress today.

For the latest policy updates and information on how you can make a difference for the future of disability programs like ours, visit https://www.aucd.org/speak-up-for-ucedds .

You can also use AUCD’s action tool to send a message to your congress people in 2 minutes: https://aucd.quorum.us/campaign/133226/

Watch this interview on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd

Resources in this episode:

• University of Oregon-Center for Human Development: https://chd.uoregon.edu/
• Ages and Stages: https://agesandstages.com/

• Oregon Screening Project: https://osp.uoregon.edu/

• WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa

• IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act): https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea

• Institute of Education Sciences: https://ies.ed.gov/

• SIG Network: https://signetwork.org/

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

IDDRC: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/

For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Schuttler, Director of Kansas LEND, and Emma Watson, a former LEND trainee and school psychology doctoral student, share how the program shaped their professional paths and personal perspectives. Frombuilding lifelong mentorships to learning with and from people with disabilities, this episode is all about connection, compassion, and leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to LEND and Its Impact

06:43 Personal Journeys and Experiences in LEND

12:40 Understanding the LEND Program

18:18 Clinical Experiences and Highlights of LEND

27:15 The Unique Value of LEND Training

35:25 The Future of LEND and Its ImportanceWatch Accessible on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd

Resources in this episode:

- Kansas LEND Website: https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/academics/departments/pediatrics/academics/leadership-education-in-neurodevelopment-and-related-disabilities-(lend).html

- Beach Center on Disability: https://kucd.ku.edu/beach-center-disability-family-resources

- KU OASIS (Online and Applied Systems ofIntervention Skills) Program: https://oasis.ku.edu/

- Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychologyat University of Kansas: https://epsy.ku.edu/academics/school-psychology/specialist-degree

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

IDDRC: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ResearchCenter

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the Missouri Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program—better known as LEND. Our guests are Dr. Rosie Kaemmerer, Co-Director of the Missouri LEND program, and Carson Miller, a physical therapist and former LEND trainee.

Carson shares how the program gave him the tools to become a stronger, more thoughtful practitioner. Rosie offers insight into how LEND’s interdisciplinary approach fosters collaboration and support—not just for trainees, but for faculty and clinicians as well.

Resources in this episode:

• Missouri LEND (TIPS for Kids) Website: https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/tips4kids/

• Learn more about LEND programs nationally: https://www.aucd.org/urc/lend2

Watch Accessible on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

IDDRC: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ResearchCenter

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu