UCEDD Success Stories - University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Human Development

In the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, there was a big push to increase access to vaccines. In Alaska, a group of organizations came together and formed the Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Accessibility Partnership. This group focused on vaccine access for individuals with disabilities, completing projects and sharing information to better serve the needs of all Alaskans. This partnership was facilitated by Sondra LeClair, Community Services Director with the University of Alaska Anchorage, Center for Human Development (UAA CHD). The Partnership took on two major projects. The first project focused on the development and distribution of a survey by UAA CHD with input from individuals with disabilities as well as their support systems.

New Associate Director Named at IOD in Pennsylvania

Kathryn (Katey) Burke, PhD, has been named the Associate Director of the Institute on Disabilities (IOD) at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development. Katey has been serving as a Senior Research Associate at the IOD and as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning since August 2019. Katey will continue as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, in addition to her new role within the IOD.

2022 George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award

The 2022 George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to Elizabeth A. Perkins, PhD during the AUCD Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Jennifer Maeverde (ME UCEDD) Selected for Daniel Hanley Center's Health Leadership Development Course

Through a highly competitive application process, Jennifer Maeverde, M.A., LCPC, from the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (ME UCEDD), has been selected for the 2022-2023 Health Leadership Development course sponsored by the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership in Portland, ME.

The Black Feathers Podcast

Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD) has joined with The State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (The State of the States) to launch The Black Feathers Podcast. In this monthly podcast, co-hosts Crystal Hernandez, Psy.D., MBA, and Shauna Humphreys, MS, LPC, will discuss disability-related topics of interest to Tribal communities, and will be providing additional resources related to these topics; to learn more about The Black Feathers Podcast and join the discussion, please visit https://kucdd.ku.edu/black-feathers.

IOD Seeks to Hire Three Assistant Research Professors

The Institute on Disability (IOD) is seeking three Assistant Research Faculty to join our team. Research faculty within the IOD maintain portfolios on diverse topics related to disability policy and services across the lifespan. IOD Assistant Research Professors play a direct role in improving the quality of life and services for people with disabilities and their families through research and service.

Labas Reflects on Maine Partners' Collaboration to Create a Professional Pathway for TA Professionals Supporting ME's Early Childhood Workforce

Linda Labas, who recently retired as early childhood coordinator for the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS), Maine's UCEDD, wrote a reflection on a multi-year collaboration with three state partners that created a set of competencies and a credential for technical assistance (TA) professionals who support Maine's early childhood workforce.

Georgetown UCEDD Hires New Associate Director

The Georgetown UCEDD hired Pamala Trivedi, PhD, NCSP, to be the new Associate Director. Dr. Trivedi Pamala is a licensed psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist, policy expert, and applied behavioral health researcher with more than two decades of experience supporting children, youth and adults across a range of developmental levels, as well as the providers and families who care for them.

New Hampshire Leadership Series Spring Awards Night

At the NH Leadership Series Spring Awards Night held at UNH Manchester on June 7, many Leadership alumni, family, friends, and IOD staff were present to reunite, network, and connect in the unique way all Leadership graduates and family do. Folks also attended virtually via Zoom, which was a first for the series and a fantastic way to share the experience with those unable to attend in person.

Joan Beasley, PhD, Promoted to Research Professor

Institute on Disability (IOD) is proud to announce the promotion of Joan B. Beasley, PhD, to Research Professor at the University of New Hampshire. The promotion is granted to faculty who have a background in successful research, marked by maturity and experience that have earned them a national or international reputation in their field. UNH research faculty bring a substantial proportion of the university's external funding, mentor graduate students, and deepen scholarly life across campus.