NH-ME LEND Program

02/25/2026

Trainee Spotlight: Regina a self advocacy trainee! Regina received her associate’s degree in accounting from Northern Maine Community College. She is an active self-advocate with Speaking Up For Us (SUFU) where she has served as the Board Chair and currently is a member of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) where she was recently appointed as Treasurer.

A graduate of the SUFU Leadership Development Program, Regina mentors other self-advocates. Regina served on Project Connect and was a poster project presenter at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) conference for health care providers in 2024.

This year, Regina is completing her NH-ME LEND leadership placement project at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

02/24/2026

Registration is now open for the Nationwide Children's Family ECHO: Autism session, Understanding Autism Research: Why It Matters and How Families Can Get Involved

Join the series as we build knowledge and confidence for families and caregivers raising children with autism and other developmental disabilities, ultimately empowering them with tools to support their children.

02/20/2026

Trainee spotlight time: Julia our nutrition trainee! Julia holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New England and a Master of Science and PhD in Nutrition from Tufts University. She has been working as a nutrition scientist for 11 years and has worked in both academia and the dietary supplement industry, conducting research related to cancer prevention, gut health, mental health, and joint health. She is now working as an independent science consultant for food, beverage, and dietary supplement companies.

This year, Julia is completing her NH-ME LEND leadership project conducting family health research in Dr. Sarah Smith's Healthy Families Research Program!

02/18/2026

Welcome to our trainee spotlight launch in which we highlight a few trainees each week! First up Cara, a social work trainee! Cara is a Master of Social Work student at UNH, where she previously earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing, along with a certificate in Coaching Children and Youth.

With ten years of experience designing and facilitating group-based youth development programs, Cara has developed a strong foundation in leadership, program management, and community of care approaches.

Cara is working with the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities for the NH-ME LEND leadership project!

02/13/2026

At this year's NH-ME LEND Spring Policy Kickoff event we welcomed two speakers, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with local state representatives and disability rights advocates.

Thank you to our speakers ✨ Atlee Reilly, managing attorney at Disability Rights Maine, and Sarah Sadowski, project director with NH Leadership Series, UNH Institute on Disability, for sharing your impactful experiences. ✨

We also are grateful to this year's NH-ME LEND Spring Kickoff panel✨ Maine Senator Marianne Moore (R), Maine Representative Kelly Noonan Murphy (D), New Hampshire Representative Wayne Burton (D), and disability advocate and ABLE NH president, Alex Beachner. ✨

Thank you all for supporting the NH-ME LEND program and its mission.

02/11/2026

NH-ME LEND is back in full swing this semester following our annual Spring Policy Kickoff. This annual event brings the NH-ME LEND cohort together with faculty and special guests to set the stage for the trainees' upcoming policy module!

12/19/2025

We are excited to celebrate 🎉two LEND trainees, Zee Immele and Olivia Barron, who have both completed their master's degree in Occupational Therapy at UNH!

Congratulations, Zee and Olivia! See you in the Spring as you continue on in the LEND program 😊

12/17/2025

Kathy Bates, NH-ME LEND faculty member and author of the blog, From Where I Sit, has released the fourth blog in her "10 Things" series!

You can find "Ten Things Families Want You to Understand About Disability", plus more at

Kathy Bates shares family wisdom on disability, highlighting support, independence, and inclusion in her latest From Where I Sit blog post.

12/12/2025

And… they’re done! Today, marks the ✨last seminar of the semester✨ for our 2025-2026 LEND cohort. Have a wonderful winter break -- See you in January when we kick off the Spring Semester!

12/10/2025

At NH-ME LEND, trainees learn that ✨self-reflection✨is essential for recognizing their path and developing as a leader.

12/05/2025

Friday Factoid: NH-ME LEND produces a digital publication called Spotlight! To get the latest program developments, news, research, and opportunities, go to https://iod.unh.edu/nh-me-lend/spotlight and subscribe!

Subscribe to the NH-ME LEND Spotlight distribution list to stay up to date on the latest program developments, news, research, and opportunities.

12/03/2025

On 3 December 2025, the United Nations will commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) under the theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” This year’s observance builds directly on the momentum of the Second World Summit for Soci...