LEND Trainings

Alaska LEND without Walls requires a minimum commitment from long term Fellows of 300 hours, which includes over 100 hours of clinical experience in an academic year. Long term Fellows receive a Workforce Credential and a stipend for completion of the LEND program. UAA Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) credits are available, 3 per semester.

The LEND program is offered using distance technology to Fellows across the state, including Video Conferencing and some Web conferencing. LEND Fellows also travel to Anchorage three times during the program year. Approved travel for required LEND activities will be paid for by the grant.

• Expectations
  • Sept–May Academic Year commitment 
  • Participate in weekly seminars, Fridays 1-4 pm (offered via video/web conferencing at community sites outside of Anchorage)
  • Attend three Leadership Workshops (2-days each, face-to-face in Anchorage; at beginning, middle, and end of program)
  • Complete all program requirements
  • Monthly meeting with your faculty mentor
  • Spend an average of 5–10 hours per week on LEND activities such as seminar, clinical/field experiences, time with host family, and leadership project

• Long Term Fellows

  You must meet at least one of the four eligibility criteria.

  a) You are a parent/family member of a child OR a self-advocate with a developmental disability.  

  -OR-

  b) Baccalaureate degree and at least 5 years of experience with increasing professional responsibilities in the field of developmental and related disabilities.

  -OR-

  c)  Enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following disciplines: Applied Behavior Analysis, Audiology, Health Administration, Human Genetics / Genetic Counseling, Medicine - Adult (focus on serving ASD/DD), Medicine - Pediatrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Public Health Policy, School Psychology / School Counseling, Social Work, Speech - Language Pathology, Special Education / Education

  -OR-

  d) Graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: Applied Behavior Analysis, Audiology, Health Administration, Human Genetics / Genetic Counseling, Medicine - Adult (focus on serving ASD/DD), Medicine - Pediatrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Public Health Policy, School Psychology / School Counseling, Social Work, Speech - Language Pathology, Special Education / Education
  
  -AND-

  Have long-term professional leadership goals focused in developmental disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder in Alaska. Long Term Fellows develop an individualized leadership training plan with their faculty mentor which meets their personal long term goals. All program components tie directly to this plan and many options are available within each component. Twelve Long Term Fellows are selected to participate each year.

• Advanced Medium Term Fellows

  As a parent of a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, or as someone who experiences an intellectual or developmental disability, there is also an Advanced Medium Term Fellowship opportunity. This Fellowship completes 150 hours instead of 300 hours over two semesters. Three Advanced Medium Term Fellows are selected to participate each year. 

  Advanced Medium Term Fellows focus on building leadership and advocacy skills. Advanced Medium Term Fellows attend all seminars and training, and complete field hours to meet individual goals. Advanced Medium Term Fellows do not complete a leadership project, clinical observation hours, and the host family experience that the Long Term Fellows complete.

• MENTOR

   Mentoring is a foundational component of the LEND experience.

  • Faculty Mentoring

    Faculty Mentoring

    As part of the LEND experience, Fellows develop a relationship with a UAA faculty member, usually in their discipline. LEND Faculty Mentors work with Fellows as they participate and reflect through their experiences in LEND. Mentors help craft the Fellow's goals and Leadership Project.

    Fellows meet with mentors (in person, by phone or video chat) to discuss areas of strength and areas for growth and discuss goals for LEND and brainstorm about the Leadership Project. Fellows meet to discuss progress, reflect on learning from LEND experiences, and adjust goals as needed. Mentors are available to problem-solve with Fellows when support is needed.

    Benefits of being in a mentoring relationship:

    • Accelerate personal and professional leadership skills development
    • Access to expertise and advice
    • Problem solving partner 

  • Host Family Mentoring

    Host Family Mentoring Experience

    Understanding and utilizing family-centered practices is a key part of the LEND program. In addition to discussion and didactic learning in seminar, Fellows build a relationship with at least one family to understand the challenges families of children and youth with ASD/DD face in such areas as shopping, transportation, housing, education, and recreation. Family faculty matches Fellows to a mentoring host family. Fellows spend 25–30 hours during the year with their host family.

    

    Objectives of the Host Family Mentoring Experience:

    • To understand the impact of raising a child with a disability may have on the entire family.
    • To increase appreciation of the capabilities and contributions of children with disabilities.
    • To learn about the emotions and stages of adjustment experienced by parents, when a child is diagnosed with a disability. 
    • To appreciate the value of good collaboration between parents and professionals. 
    • To learn about community resources available for children with disabilities and their families. 
    • To consider obstacles, challenges, opportunities and outcomes of school and community inclusion, for children with disabilities. 
    • To understand the importance of family-centered practices.

    If you are a parent of a child who experiences a developmental or related disability and are interested in being a mentoring family for a LEND Fellow, please contact the Training Coordinator.

Complete the Cohort Application

Applications due by April 18, 2025

Cohort Application

• Eligibility Requirements

  You must meet at least one of the four eligibility criteria.

  a) You are a parent/family member of a child OR a self-advocate with a developmental disability.  

  -OR-

  b) Baccalaureate degree and at least 5 years of experience with increasing professional responsibilities in the field of developmental and related disabilities.

  -OR-

  c)  Enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following disciplines: Applied Behavior Analysis, Audiology, Health Administration, Human Genetics / Genetic Counseling, Medicine - Adult (focus on serving ASD/DD), Medicine - Pediatrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Public Health Policy, School Psychology / School Counseling, Social Work, Speech - Language Pathology, Special Education / Education

  -OR-

  d) Graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: Applied Behavior Analysis, Audiology, Health Administration, Human Genetics / Genetic Counseling, Medicine - Adult (focus on serving ASD/DD), Medicine - Pediatrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Public Health Policy, School Psychology / School Counseling, Social Work, Speech - Language Pathology, Special Education / Education

  
  -AND-

  Have long-term professional leadership goals focused in developmental disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder in Alaska. Long Term Fellows develop an individualized leadership training plan with their faculty mentor which meets their personal long term goals. All program components tie directly to this plan and many options are available within each component. Twelve Long Term Fellows are selected to participate each year.

  Advanced Medium-Term Fellow Opportunity

  For a parent of a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, or as someone who experiences an intellectual or developmental disability, there is also a Advanced Medium Term Fellowship opportunity. This Fellowship completes 150 hours instead of 300 hours over two semesters. Three Advanced Medium Term Fellows are selected to participate each year. 

  Advanced Medium Term Fellows focus on building leadership and advocacy skills. Advanced Medium Term Fellows attend all seminars and training, and complete field hours to meet individual goals. Advanced Medium Term Fellows do not complete a leadership project, clinical observation hours, and the host family experience that the Long Term Fellows complete.

• Expectations 
  • Sept–May Academic Year commitment 
  • Participate in weekly seminars, Fridays 1-4 pm (offered via video/web conferencing at community sites outside of Anchorage)
  • Attend three Leadership Workshops (2-days each, face-to-face in Anchorage; at beginning, middle, and end of program)
  • Complete all program requirements
  • Monthly meeting with your faculty mentor
  • Spend an average of 5–10 hours per week on LEND activities such as seminar, clinical/field experiences, time with host family, and leadership project
• Application Instructions

  To complete the Alaska LEND Without Walls application:

  1. Review the minimum requirements for eligibility. 
  2. Complete the online application form including information (name, organization, position, and email address)for two professional references.
  3. Resume: Make sure to include education, work experiences, professional honors and/or awards, and professional activities (such as membership in professional organizations, etc.).  Save this as a Word document or PDF with your name in the file name (e.g., jane_smith_resume.doc)
  4. Write a 1-2 page personal statement including:
     • Describe your experience working with children with special needs and their families. List course work/workshops/trainings in disabilities (e.g., developmental disabilities and autism).
     • What does leadership mean to you, and what qualities do you think speak to your leadership potential?
     • What do you hope to gain from participating in an interdisciplinary program focused on leadership development related to serving children with special needs and their families?
     • Save this as a Word document or PDF with your name in the file name (e.g., jane_smith_personal_statement.doc)
  5. Transcripts: Academic transcripts are required for all disciplines except Family. Scanned or unofficial copies are acceptable.
  6. All documents can be uploaded in the electronic application:
     • Resume
     • Personal Statement, addressing the questions in number 3, above.
     • Copy of your academic transcripts. Scanned or unofficial copies are acceptable.
  7. References: Have two people who can attest to your academic and/or professional performance and can speak to your potential as a leader. You will include their information (name, organization, position, and email address) at the end of the electronic application form. Once you submit your application, a recommendation form will be automatically sent to the references you provided information for.

Questions? Contact the LEND Training Coordinator

Though academic experience is helpful, it is not required for this Fellowship.

Fellows who are selected receive a stipend for completing the program. All travel required for the LEND program will be paid by the LEND program.

Meet the People

• Faculty and Staff
  

  Rachel White

  Alaska LEND Director & Psychology Faculty

  

  Dr. Jenny Miller
  LEND Training Director & Public Health Faculty

  

  Dr. Starrina Gianellonia
  Medicine Faculty

  Danielle Keller

  Occupational Therapy Faculty

  

  BreeAnn Davis
  Family Faculty

  

  Dr. Mary Dallas Allen 
  Social Work Faculty

  

  Anna Spilker
  Speech-Language Pathology Faculty

  Kelly McBride

  Special Education Faculty

  

  Tracy Charles-Smith

  Family Faculty

  

  Maggie Winston
  Self-Advocate Faculty

  

  Tamara Douglas
  LEND Training Coordinator

• Past LEND Fellows
  • 2020-2021 Cohort
    2020-2021 Cohort

    Long Term Fellows 2020-2021

    Brita Steinberger, Katie Cronk, Eric Gurley, Hillary Landers, Jennifer Dera, Lixue Mason, Sarah Evans, Abigail Ogilbee, Yonna Pereyra, Jena Crafton

     

    Medium Term Fellows 2020-2021

    Donna Lacour, Patricia West
  • 2019-2020 Cohort
    2019-2020 Cohort

    Long Term Fellows 2019-2020

    Autumn Smith, Brianna Gibbs, Erin Main, Jaeok Kim, Jessie Doherty, Katherine Adams, Laurie Hodne, Lee Waters, Melissa Anderson, Nicole Zegiestowsky, Samantha Skirko, Tobe Gurley

     

    Medium Term Fellows 2019-2020

    Caitlin Jones, Corey Gilmore, Shoni Evans
  • 2018-2019 Cohort
    Long Term Fellow 2018-2019

    Alison Nielson, Eva Lyons, Marcy Belisle McGraw, Lisa Kness, Tristan Berkey, Juliana Crandall, Travis Cooper, Kim Kovol, Mackenzie, Kylie Clark

     

    Advanced Medium Term Fellow 2018-2019

    Ester Bennett

    Joshua Kamerick
  • 2017-2018 Cohort
    Long Term Fellows 2017-2018

    Amanda Kulikov; John Cartwright; Marisha Bourgeois; Angela Gill; K Nunemann; Rebecca Bjorke; Carolyn Michaud; Kelly McBride; Rita Kittoe; Greta Goto; Kim Dugas

     

    Medium Term Fellows 2018-2018

    Cora Trowbridge; Rene King; Sydney Krebsbach
  • 2016-2017 Cohort
    Long Term Fellows 2016-2017

    Alicia Mahlow; Jennifer Malecha; Rashayne Zimmer; Anna Maguire; Kristen McKay; Samantha Cowper; Beverly Rivard; Kristin Riall; Stephanie Johnson; Brenda Spofford; Montean Jackson; Valerie Schmitz

     

    Medium Term Fellows 2016-2017

    Chad Niewendorp; Karli Lopez; Maggie Winston
  • 2015-2016 Cohort
    Long Term Fellows 2015-2016

    Ann Waldron; Lyon Johnson; Charlotte Kimber; Cindy Hensley; Becky Parenteau; Robin McNeilley; Erin Kinavey Wennerstrom; Jada Kahl; Tiffany McCormack; Christina Savel; Christina Bieber; Heidi Shinn Aga; Mel Nobles
  • 2014-2015 Cohort
    Long Term Fellows 2014-2015

    Amy Sundheim; Krista James; Sara Burley; Anna Cook; Mary Elam; Stephanie Cornwell-George; Breanna James; Maureen O'Keefe; Tara Maltby; Jennifer Glorioso; PJ Hatfield-Bauer 
  • 2013-2014 Cohort
    Long Term Fellows 2013-2014

    Anna Spilker; Jeanine Jeffers-Woolf; Maya Heim; Arlene Patuc; Diana Molina; Megan Bolthouse; Jessica Purser; Lejla Berberovic; Sonya King; Emily Vober Reeves; Lisa Balivet; Susan Nugent 
  • 2012-2013 Cohort
    Long Term Fellows 2012-2013

    Carrie Plant; Diane Leithead; Heather Chord; Jayme Ellerbe; Karrianna Gallagher; Lynn Palmer; Loree Rayback; Maureen Harwood; Stephanie Johnson; Ursula Jones
  • 2011-2012 Cohort
    Long Term Fellows 2011-2012

    Betsey Jacobs; Colleen Powers; Gretchen Chamberlain; Hilary Wilson; Karen Gibson; Kathleen Hansen; Laurie Lopez; Lisa Jackson; Marna Schwartz; Maureen McGlone; Melissa Dobbs; Teresa Hurley

Resources