Utah Regional LEND - Urlend

Home
United States
Logan, UT
Utah Regional LEND - Urlend

LEND is a collaborative & interdisciplinary training program dedicated to improving the care of children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

The Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and other Related Disabilities (URLEND) is a training program that covers five states: Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. Our program uses state-of-the-art technology to connect groups of trainees across our partner states. Professionals are trained to move beyond discipline boundaries to provide optimal services to child and adolescents with special health care needs. Because families are essential to well-being, this program emphasizes the role of family-centered care in all we do. URLEND is funded with a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents of this page are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Health Resources and Services Administration or the U.S.

12/18/2025

Meet our faculty at www.urlend.org

Kristi Blaiser, PhD, CCC-SLP
Audiology / Infant Pediatric Audiology (IPA) Program

Dr. Kristina Blaiser is a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology at Idaho State University. Dr. Blaiser's professional and research focus is to ensure children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing reach their full potential, specifically through support and training of the adults who interact with them.

Dr. Blaiser directs the Idaho State University HATCH (Helping Adults Talk to Children) Lab on the Meridian campus, a lab that is responsible for family-to-family support across the state of Idaho.

Dr. Blaiser directs and is the Coordinator for the American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s Special Interest Group, Pediatric Hearing and Hearing Disorders and Special Projects Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

12/18/2025

Meet our faculty at www.urlend.org

Chris Sanford, PhD
Audiology / Infant Pediatric Audiology (IPA) Program

Chris Sanford’s clinical and research training background includes Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Audiology and a Master's Degree in Audiology from Brigham Young University, a PhD in Hearing Science from the University of Washington and a postdoctoral fellowship at Boys Town National Research Hospital. Chris came to Idaho State University in 2009 and has taught graduate courses in the audiology program, conducted research, mentored students in clinical and research activities, and served in administrative roles. His primary clinic and research interests include investigations of pediatric middle-ear assessment techniques with goals of improving diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders.

Chris is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development in the College of Health at Idaho State University.

12/15/2025

Meet a trainee at www.urlend.org

Libbie Warren, Occupational Therapy

Libbie Warren grew up in the southeast, moving between Virginia and North Carolina. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Appalachian State University, where she developed a strong interest in inclusive care for those with disabilities and a deep love for the outdoors. Occupational therapy school and a desire for grander mountains brought her to Salt Lake City where she is in her second year of the University of Utah's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Libbie has a broad range of work experience including kayak guiding in Maine, baking, hippotherapy, forest school instructing, teaching swim lessons, and nannying kids with special needs. She is interested in working in pediatrics and integrating her interest and knowledge of outdoor recreation through areas like nature-based therapy, adaptive sports and aquatic therapy. Outside of school, Libbie enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, baking, swimming, and traveling anywhere she can spend time in nature.

Libbie is excited to be a part of URLEND to deepen her understanding of specific neurodevelopmental disabilities and gain interdisciplinary training that will help her better advocate for inclusive and quality services for her patients in the future.

12/15/2025

Meet a trainee at www.urlend.org

Alison Tassone, Psychology

Alison is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at the University of Wyoming. Originally from Massachusetts, she earned her BS in Neuroscience from Brandeis University and an MEd in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University. Before beginning her doctoral training, Alison worked as a research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Lurie Center for Autism, where she further developed her research and clinical interests in neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her experience in this multidisciplinary setting reinforced the value and importance of collaborative care in supporting individuals and families. Alison is eager to continue learning from professionals, fellow trainees, and community members through the URLEND program.

In her free time, Alison enjoys the challenge of baking recipes at high altitude, as well as skiing, hiking with her dog Ludo, and playing ultimate frisbee.

12/08/2025

Meet a trainee at www.urlend.org

Brogan Solig, Psychology

Brogan Lommen-Solig is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the University of North Dakota. She currently conducts research relating to disclosure and social connectedness of ASD and works as a student counselor in a local community clinic. She has professional experience in developmental disabilities in various settings; as a direct support professional, mental health technician, and program coordinator. Through her professional and personal experience with neurodiversity, she attempts to advocate and teach self-advocacy skills in spaces that were previously inaccessible. In the future, she hopes to continue to support people with disabilities through her research and integration of psychology and the disability support field.

12/08/2025

Meet a trainee at www.urlend.org

Marisa Smith, Psychology / School Counseling

Marisa Smith is a 2nd year Counseling Master's Student with an emphasis in rehabilitation counseling. Marisa is originally from Havana, North Dakota, and is currently at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. Marisa has 5 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities in various capacities, including as a special education teaching assistant, internships focused on making churches more inclusive for individuals with disabilities, and as a direct support professional. Marisa plans to utilize her background to pursue a career as an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance officer, with a specific interest in accessibility in recreational areas. In her free time, Marisa enjoys Bible journaling, visiting the arcade, and playing Monopoly with her friends.

12/04/2025

Meet our faculty at www.urlend.org

Kathleen Ross
IPA Program - IESDB Family Member

Kat Ross is a parent of a child who was born with a hearing difference and a Family Support Ambassador for the HATCH lab at Idaho State University. After the birth of their daughter, Mary, in 2012, Kat and her husband, Kevin, began an unexpected journey of raising a child with hearing loss. At times, it has been confusing, scary, emotional, and frustrating. Let’s be real! It is never easy to discover there is something atypical about your child. However, the times of joy, excitement, pride, and relief have far outweighed the negative moments. There is a wonderful community of “helpers” out there, and Kat has extensive knowledge in connecting families with the right people to support their child’s specific needs. Whether it's creating content for the Weekly HATCH Newsletter or facilitating Tuesdays @10 Family Support Zooms, empowering families and getting information, resources, and support to them is her passion!

Kat received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College with an emphasis in Psychology and worked in the Boise School District for many years. She also worked as the Executive Director of Idaho Hands and Voices and was part of the team to bring the hearing aid legislature to Idaho. In her free time, Kat loves to travel, camp, cook, and relax with her family and many pets.

12/04/2025

Meet our faculty at www.urlend.org

Katie Taylor, M.S. Deaf Education
IPA Program

I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies at Western Oregon University from 2016-2019 and have been working as an Outreach Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consulting Teacher with the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind (IESDB) for the past five years. Most recently I completed a Listening and Spoken Language Endorsement through Utah State University which has added to my toolkit as I help support Early Intervention families and Early Childhood providers.

12/01/2025

Meet a trainee at www.urlend.org

Tori Simpson, Self-Advocate

Tori grew up in Montana before moving to Utah 14 years ago. She graduated from the Adocacy, Leadership and Policy Success (ALPS) program through the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council in April 2025 which fueled her passion for advocating for herself and other people with disabilities. She hopes to further her advocacy skills by participating in URLEND. In her spare time, Tori loves reading, writing poetry, painting with watercolors, making beaded bracelets, and cuddling with her cat, Lucy.

12/01/2025

Meet a trainee at www.urlend.org

Emmy Ruff, Psychology

A first-generation student from Chicago, Emmy is now working on her PhD in Psychology at Utah State University, researching early identification of neurodevelopmental disorders to improve outcomes for youth. As a therapist and diagnostic evaluator, Emmy has supported youth with a variety of behavioral, mental health, and medical challenges. She is excited to deepen her knowledge of neurodevelopmental disabilities through URLEND to best support her clients. In her free time, Emmy enjoys exploring the West with her husband and dog, reading, and finding new coffee spots.

11/20/2025

Meet our faculty at www.urlend.org

Olivia Lebens, MPA
Community Liaison

Olivia Lebens is the Interdisciplinary Training Coordinator for the Center on Disabilities and Human Development, Idaho’s UCEDD. Olivia works with undergraduate students, across all disciplines, placing them in meaningful work and academic opportunities that demonstrate the empowerment of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

With 20 years of experience working with Idaho’s DD Network and self-advocacy organizations, Olivia connects university students with the wider community focusing on capacity building and systemic change. Disability history and policy are significant areas of interest to Olivia, which has led to her earning a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Idaho.

11/20/2025

Meet our faculty at www.urlend.org

Eduardo Ortiz, Ph.D., J.D.
Cultural Competency

Eduardo got his Ph.D. in Sociology (2009) from Utah State University. His dissertation work was about the influence of family structures and the role of siblings on early language development of preschool Latino children. Currently, he is a Senior Research Associate at the Early Intervention Research Institute (EIRI) which is the Research Division of the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University. Eduardo has been working on research projects mainly focused on early education. He also has taught some classes at Utah State University such as Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Social Research Methods, Population and Society (Soc. 3200). Eduardo also holds a Law Degree (J.D.) from the Catholic University of Ecuador, his native country. Eduardo has been highly involved in community work through schools, non-profit organizations, hometown media, and city boards

Address

Logan, UT

Website

http://www.urlend.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Utah Regional LEND - Urlend posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Logan?

Utah Regional LEND - Urlend

12/18/2025

12/18/2025

12/15/2025

12/15/2025

12/08/2025

12/08/2025

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

12/01/2025

12/01/2025

11/20/2025

11/20/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category