Kansas LEND

08/03/2026

The Kansas LEND Childcare Certification Program (CCP) is enrolling now for Fall 2026!
Starting this October, join the LEND CCP’s six-month training cohort to develop knowledge, skills, and processes to better support children in your program with developmental differences, like autism and learning disabilities. The fall/winter learning cohort is open to ALL childcare providers throughout the state!

- Attend 30+ hours of training on developmental disabilities
- Complete real-world application projects to make your learning work for your program
- Join a community of practice to network with colleagues and other professionals
- Receive individualized support and feedback to strengthen your skills

Click the link below to learn more about the program and or complete your application here today! Applications due by August 31 for priority consideration. Travel scholarships available to attend in-person trainings.

Additional questions? Contact [email protected] for more information!

https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/academics/departments/pediatrics/academics/professionalcommunity-provider-training/developmental-disability-certificate.html

07/21/2026

It was great connecting with incoming KU Medical students during the School of Medicine Activities Fair today! We loved sharing the short-term and medium-term opportunities available through Kansas LEND and how leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities can help improve the health and quality of life for neurodivergent individuals, individuals of all abilities, and their families.
You don't know what you don't know and that's why community connections matter!! Every conversation opens the door to new opportunities, partnerships, and perspectives. We can't wait to see where these future healthcare leaders go next!

07/09/2026

Our partners at Kansas Family Support Center developed a vetted Kansas specific Navigation Resource (chatbot) tool for Kansans who have autism and their families to use across the state when looking for resources and support. Check out the article to learn more about the tool and Kansas Family Support Center.

With a new artificial intelligence chatbot tool developed at the University of Kansas, families can receive vetted information about autism that is specific to their needs in Kansas.

07/07/2026

If you work with young children, check out The Early Intervention Podcast, produced by Johnson County Infant Toddler Services. The topics are fantastic- interesting and relevant for anyone who works with this population. The current episode features our very own LEND faculty talking about one of our favorite interventions and flagship community training projects- Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).

Podcast Episode · The Early Intervention Podcast · July 1 · 55m

06/30/2026

The more you know.

Free meals are available at local summer meal sites, and SUN Bucks provides families a one-time grocery benefit per eligible child.

Find a summer meal site: https://buff.ly/JbpZ0iq
Learn more about SUN Bucks: https://buff.ly/rdfVURS

06/30/2026

Our friends at Community Health Improvement Program for Intellectual Disabilities are looking for a few more participants in their research program. Check it out!!

Are you looking to eat healthy and be active this summer? 🥗🏃🏽‍♀️

Do you love cooking or want to learn? 🧑🏼‍🍳

Do you wish you had a personal health coach to help you reach your goals? 👏🏻

Well, you’ve come to right place! Let us introduce the Chef-ID Study! 🥳

Chef-ID is a healthy eating, cooking skills, and exercise research study to promote independence and functional skills while maintaining a healthy weight.

We are looking for young adults with intellectual disabilities to join our study where they will receive 1 on 1 coaching, a healthy eating and exercise plan, and mobile health technology for the study!

See our flyer below for more information 👇🏼

Or start by taking our survey 👉🏼 https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=FJE3XHDDK9RHLTR4

06/30/2026

🎉 Congratulations to past Kansas LEND Advocate Trainee Daniel Owen on becoming a published author!

Daniel's new book, Spaceship, is now available. Join us in celebrating this exciting achievement and check out his book here:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/daniel-owen-and-tullipstudio/spaceship/hardcover/product-gjzjm6n.html?q=Spaceship+&page=1&pageSize=4

Congratulations, Daniel—we're excited to see all you accomplish! 🚀📚

This story is about dreaming in space on this spaceship find yourself in magical places that you never imagined. you create whatever you want with your own mind .

06/10/2026

While visiting New York last week, Kansas LEND Family Discipline Mentor, Stephanie Coleman had the opportunity to visit with fellow Family and Advocacy LEND Mentors at the URochester LEND!