AIR-P/OAR Funding Opportunity: Community Grant Competition

Description: Applications for the AIR-P and the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Community Grant Competition opened on Friday, October 8, and will close on April 30, 2022. Find details about the grant, application requirements, an FAQ, and a link to start your application!

Alumni Update: Deeqaifrah Hussein (MN LEND, 2017-18)

Deeqaifrah Hussein (MN LEND, 2017-18) is the interim executive director of special education and health services for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), the district recently announced.

Announcing our 2021-2022 Emerging Leaders Interns!

We are excited to announce the AUCD Emerging Leaders Interns for the 2021-2022 training year! These trainees will serve as visible ambassadors to the broader AUCD network, interacting with AUCD staff at all levels and the AUCD Board of Directors' Emerging Leaders Representative.

ITAC Bulletin Board - September 2021

Welcome to another academic year! As orientations conclude and seminars begin, we hope that you find the resources and other items in this newsletter useful in supporting the work of your faculty, staff, and trainees.

AIR-P Scholars & Pilot and Feasibility Funding Program

Call for Applications and Proposals

The Autism Intervention Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) seeks applications for the AIR-P Scholars & Pilot and Feasibility funding program during January-December 2022 project year. Proposals must address a topic or topics related to autism and physical health with a focus on enhancing the health and well-being of autistic people. Preference will be given to projects with an emphasis on underserved groups.

29 MN LEND Fellows Complete Year

Capping a year of learning and interacting almost entirely online, the 29 graduates of MN LEND certificate program recently closed out their final ceremony with messages from Minnesota's lieutenant governor, state senators from both political parties, a former MN LEND fellow, and others.

All in the Family: Salma Hussein (MN LEND, 2012-13)

Salma Hussein (MN LEND, 2012-13), recently selected as a 2021 Bush Fellow, will use the $100,000 fellowship to complete her doctorate degree in educational leadership and continue the non-profit organization she runs with her sister, Fatimah, the Girls Initiative in Recreation and Leisurely Sport (GIRLS). Trained as a social worker while attending MN LEND, she is now an assistant principal at a Saint Paul, Minnesota high school.

Waisman Center UCEDD Partners with Community to Address Health Equity for Latino Families of Children with Developmental Disabilities with Funding from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Padres e Hijos en Accion and the Waisman Center University for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), University of Wisconsin-Madison announced a $330,000 grant to improve local health care responsiveness to the needs of Latino families of children with developmental disabilities and other special health care needs in Dane County. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the three-year campaign is part of the Community Solutions for Health Equity program led by Community Catalyst, a national non-profit health equity advocacy organization.

Alaska LEND Alumni Erin Main Joins the Alaska AgrAbility Program

The Alaska LEND Without Walls is pleased to announce that Erin Main, a 2020 LEND alumni, has joined the Alaska AgrAbility program as service administrator. Erin will work part-time and assist with program development to include work with partnerships and community stakeholders. She will be developing the relationship with the AgrAbility program and UAA students in the Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. She will also work with the team to continue to expand outreach to build understanding around occupations, health, disabilities and agriculture. Erin's work with AgrAbility was synthesized throughout her LEND experience and LEND leadership project.

Autism Special Interest Group Vice Chair Position

Application Deadline: Sunday, August 1, 2021

This is an exciting leadership opportunity for an up-and-coming leader in the Autism Community. The Vice Chair of the Autism Special Interest Group will work closely with the SIG co-chairs Brian Be and Dr. Laura Carpenter.