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PORTLAND, Maine

Maine LEND holds annual family picnic at UNE

LEND Trainee Matt Pascarella and Lindsey Rose, PT, D.P.T., interact with children at the annual picnic.
LEND Trainee Matt Pascarella and Lindsey Rose, PT, D.P.T., interact with children at the annual picnic.

On September 30, 2017, the Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program hosted its second annual educational outreach and support picnic at UNE. Designed for individuals and families affected by neurodevelopmental disabilities, the event presented an opportunity for LEND trainees and facilitators to meet with those who could benefit from the program.

The picnic marks the first step of family-led experiences for LEND Trainees. Families interested in participating in the program are matched with a LEND trainee, who spends time participating in the child's appointments, assisting with school planning and taking part in wide range of activities. In turn, the host families teach trainees about everyday life with children who have neurodevelopmental disabilities.

“As a LEND trainee, I hope to enhance my ability to support families in ways most meaningful to them,” said Taylor Cahill (M.S.O.T., ‘18). “Every family is unique and care should be tailored to their individual goals and needs.”

“During our first year, the trainees described their learning about family-centered practice as transformational,” said Kathryn Loukas, O.T.D., M.S., OTR/L, clinical professor of Occupational Therapy and Maine LEND Training Director. “We hope for an even deeper transformation for this year’s trainees as they experience the joys and challenges of life with a child or young adult living with neurodevelopmental disabilities.” 

 

To learn more about the Maine LEND program, visit www.une.edu/LEND

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.