Association of University Centers on Disabilities

This August, the Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD is an AUCD #UCEDD and #LEND) honored early childhood administrators in a ceremony in the state's Capitol Rotunda. “The role of the early childhood administrator is the greatest influence on the quality of early learning programs,” said Mike Abel, Ph.D., director of the ECIC. “By improving administrative practice, this robust program strengthened the early learning experience for more than 50,000 Missouri children.” The gathering honored 138 administrators who completed the Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA) program. “Quality, affordable, and accessible early learning and childcare programs are essential to not only the success of Missouri families but the success of our entire state,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Thank you to MO-SECA leaders and participants for all they do to help improve the lives of children and support Missouri families.” Read more about how MO-SECA builds business and leadership skills so administrators can lead and operate sustainable, quality childcare programs 👉 https://lnkd.in/gfTfX3aq UMKC-IHD Early Childhood Innovation Center UMKC-Institute for Human Development ID 1: Early childhood administrators from across Missouri take a group photo after receiving honors in the state's capitol rotunda as part of the Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA) program. ID 2: Dr. Mike Abel, director of UMKC-IHD's Early Childhood Innovation Center, led the recognition ceremony. ID 3: Early childhood administrators listen to guest speakers from the Missouri Department of Education, the governor's office and the State Chamber of Commerce as part of the recognition ceremony.

Presenter and attendee accessibility is a top priority of the #AUCD2024 Conference. We want to make sure that every attendee feels included before and during the Conference and are working on several things to support attendees’ full participation. Explore the Accessibility and Inclusion section of our Conference website and read about accessibility tips for speakers and attendees 👉 https://lnkd.in/gNRwj_Jm

Register for tomorrow’s 12 PM ET #nTIDE Deeper Dive webinar! The webinar with AUCD, the Kessler Foundation, and the UNH Institute on Disability will feature guest speaker Katie Johnson, program manager for the American Association of People with Disabilities Summer and Fall Internship Program and the Disability Advocacy Certificate Program. Join us! tinyurl.com/4z623m88 #DisabilityEmployment

September marks the 51st anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Join the AoD Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) on September 10 at 3 PM ET to commemorate the first civil rights legislation for people with disabilities. During the webinar, DETAC will discuss employment with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the Association of Programs for Rural Indepent Living (APRIL). “Centers for Independent Living Connecting People with Disabilities to Competitive, Integrated Employment” will focus on how their work nationally increases access to competitive, integrated employment and how they collaborate with Centers for Independent Living (CILs) across the country. Learn more and register for the webinar today 👉 bit.ly/3SVGV3m

The latest episode of “Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All” features Congressman Marc Molinaro from the state of New York. Liz and Congressman Molinaro discuss the New York and federal initiative ThinkDIFFERENTLY, a project seeking to change the way government, individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities relate to people with disabilities. Learn more about ThinkDIFFERENTLY 👉 www.thinkdifferently.net Check out the full episode 👉 bit.ly/4fSyBeI

Following an intensive national search, Dr. Erin Vinoski Thomas was selected as Director of the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University. The CLD is one of AUCD’s 68 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) in the U.S. “Erin’s prior role as CLD Associate Director, and more recently as Co-Interim Director throughout the past year of transition, underscores her dedication and leadership acumen. I look forward to her new role in leading the CLD into a bright and thriving future,” said Dr. Kathleen Baggett. Dr. Vinoski Thomas is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. She joined the GSU School of Public Health and CLD in 2019 as a faculty member and was appointed as CLD's Associate Director in 2021. Her research and programmatic initiatives focus on promoting health equity for adults with disabilities. She has secured over $7 million in external funding since her appointment in 2019, including a $2.9 million cooperative agreement with CDC to lead Georgia's statewide disability and health program (2021-2026) and CLD's recently funded $3.2 million UCEDD grant (2024-2029). "It is truly an honor to serve as CLD's Director," said Dr. Vinoski Thomas. "I look forward to working with our strong leadership team, staff, community advisory council, and partners within and outside the university to continue positively impacting the lives of Georgians with disabilities and their families." Congratulations, Dr. Vinoski Thomas! #GSUCLD #UCEDD Center for Leadership in Disability

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Directors from around the country are meeting this week in Minneapolis, MN for the 2024 UCEDD Directors Technical Assistance (TA) Institute. The last two days have been full of engaging panels, rich small-group discussion time, and networking with Directors from over 60 Network Centers. Thank you to the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota (Minnesota’s #UCEDD and #LEND Program) for partnering with AUCD’s Community Inclusion team on this event. We hope you all enjoy this snapshot of our time together. #Minnesota #AUCD

Feeling inspired by your colleagues? Nominate a peer today for an #AUCD2024 Award. Nominations will close at midnight on Friday, August 16. Learn more about the ten AUCD Awards 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNeBP9_Y

Check out the 2024 Emerging Leaders Map! The map highlights the contributions of emerging leaders, who are current and former trainees at LENDs, DBPs, UCEDDs, and IDDRCs across the Network. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g_dAVQqf Stay connected to the Emerging Leaders Community and subscribe today 👉 https://lnkd.in/e-V2UCic #EmergingLeaders #Trainees #LEND #DBP #UCEDD

AUCD is excited to announce three openings for the AUCD #EmergingLeaders Internship and five openings for the Council Trainee Representative Program. These opportunities are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Learn more and apply by Friday, August 16 👉 bit.ly/46BLplo