UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) faculty, staff, and graduate students attended the 2024 Division for Early Childhood Conference (DEC) in New Orleans, LA. Faculty, staff, and graduate students presented multiple sessions about various projects, including the Early Childhood Intervention Personnel Center for Equity (ECIPC-Equity) and Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE). Our presentations featured:

• Bethanne Vergean, CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones for
Families, poster session
• Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, “Let’s Play Together: Engaging Families and Young Children
in Inclusive Play Using Technology”
• Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, Bethanne Vergean, “A Tale of Two Tools:  CDC Milestones & ASQ-3”
• Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, and Darla Gundler, “An Overview of the Early Childhood
Intervention Personnel Center for Equity”

We want to welcome our 2024-2025 CT LEND trainees! ✨ Trainees were introduced to LEND staff and met past trainees to hear about what they can expect from the program. Our Director, Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, provided an overview of the UConn UCEDD and CT LEND. We are so excited to spend the school year with our new trainees!

Over the course of Monday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 16, the third cohort of the Connecticut Aspiring Leaders Academy met for their orientation retreat!

July is Disability Pride Month! Disability Pride Month is held in July because it marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark legislation for inclusion. This month we honor the disability community’s history and achievements while also acknowledging their struggles and the work to break down the barriers that still exist. Throughout the month we’ll be sharing different pieces of disability history and highlighting individuals with disabilities! 

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, a non-partisan forum on disability topics featuring candidates/surrogates for President, Vice-President, United States Senate and all five Connecticut Congressional Seats will be held and moderated by Diane Smith.

The Connecticut Aspiring Leaders Academy’s concluded last week when the second cohort participants presented their capstones!

Congratulations to all of this years graduates!

If you would like to view their capstones, you can click here!

Yesterday members of our Connecticut Early Childhood Intervention Leadership Academy met.
 
The objectives for the meeting were to: Identify the steps of strategic planning; identify what is needed to scale up and implement the practice, program, or policy, in multiple locations, service sectors or populations with fidelity as documented through an evaluation plan; and identify steps to sustain the scaled-up practice(s), programs, or policies with fidelity, fiscal accountability, and positive evaluation outcomes for all eligible infants and young children with risk conditions, delays, and/or disabilities and their families who represent diverse backgrounds.

June is Pride Month! Each year, Pride Month is celebrated in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which set into motion the fight for gay rights in the United States.

Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, you can celebrate Pride by attending fun, pride events, donating to an LGBTQ+ supporting charity, or even reading books or listening to podcasts about the history of Pride and gay rights.

A big congratulations to Denzel Closs, our summer intern and LEND Trainee, for receiving Goodwin University’s Community Service Award! The Community Service Award is presented to a student in recognition of their support of the mission of Goodwin University through dedication to community service.

The following words were said about Denzel by the presenter of the Community Service Award:

“While challenges can be daunting, individuals like our very own remind us that embracing our differences can lead to profound moments of self-discovery and validation. His work with the AFC provides a safe space for autistic youth and their families, where they feel valued, seen and supported. His journey inspires us to celebrate our differences, embrace our strengths, and create a world that values and uplifts all individuals. Our entire team is proud to recognize Denzel and all his hard work”

Way to go Denzel, we’re proud of you!

On Friday May 10, 2024, we were honored to be a part of the 9th Annual Connecticut Secondary Transition Symposium. Our Consumer Advisory Council Co-Chair, Emily Ball, was featured in a breakout session, speaking about “Live Your Best Life: Planning your Future and Developing Your Vision for a Great Life.” Thank you to the State Education Resource Center (SERC), Connecticut State Department of Education, and Regional Educational Service Center for hosting such a wonderful event!