March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), partners with other disability organizations, advocates, DD Councils, UCEEDS, P&As, and many others to create a campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. The campaign… Read more Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Celebrating National Nutrition Month
It’s National Nutrition Month! This yearly campaign was created to invite everyone to learn about making healthy food and eating choices, and to create physical activity habits. This year’s theme is Personalize Your Plate, a highly individualized approach unique to every individual because we all have different bodies, goals, backgrounds, interests and tastes. The four… Read more Celebrating National Nutrition Month
My Experience as a LEND Trainee
It’s National Nutrition Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! So, during this special month, I thought I’d share my experience as a LEND Dietetic trainee. As a Vanderbilt Consortium Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) trainee, I serve those with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities (NDRDs). The LEND program prepares future health professionals to assume leadership… Read more My Experience as a LEND Trainee
Call Pathfinder: Pathfinder Finds Food Assistance Programs
CALLER: I never ever thought I would be going hungry or that my family would be one of the families without enough food. This pandemic has really hurt us in so many ways. My hours were cut in half. My neighbor said to call Pathfinder, that you had helped her find financial assistance for her… Read more Call Pathfinder: Pathfinder Finds Food Assistance Programs
Upcoming Events – March 2021
For these and other events visit our Community Calendar or follow us on social media. March 24: Navigating a New Normal Workshop: Managing Your Plan Care March 25: Families First Workshop: Developing Successful Sleep Habits Part 2 April 1: The Challenge of Health Equity in Clinical Research April 19-21: Disability Policy Seminar
Resource Corner – Developmental Disabilities & Nutrition
Wellness Challenge Coloring Book Practice healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors each day. Once the activity is complete, color it in! How many challenges can you complete? Download here. Quick Tips for Supporting Social Engagement Brought to you by Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) Have questions about supporting social engagement?… Read more Resource Corner – Developmental Disabilities & Nutrition
Disability Public Policy Team – What state legislation is on your radar?
As part of a Disability Public Policy team, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities educates policymakers about the impact of potential legislation or policies. These efforts are coordinated in collaboration with agency partners that include Tennessee Disability Coalition, Disability Rights Tennessee, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and The Arc Tennessee. As a… Read more Disability Public Policy Team – What state legislation is on your radar?
Advocating for Systems Change
An important result of advocacy for public policy is to change the systems that cause problems in our society for people with disabilities. The disability public policy team, along with numerous other organizations, plays a key role in making that happen in Tennessee, we asked them how they advocate for individuals with disabilities on an… Read more Advocating for Systems Change
Advocacy for Immigrants
The circumstances for people to immigrate (internationally) or migrate (domestically) can be various, including employment, studying abroad, persecution, survival, or simply seeking other options. The global and political crisis makes it harder for many people to stay in their native country. The international processes and acceptance for legal status in a country of destination often… Read more Advocacy for Immigrants
Kindred Stories Spotlighting Direct Support Professionals
The 2021 edition of Kindred Stories of Disabilities focuses on the experiences of direct support professionals (DSP). Across the country, there are approximately 1.4 million individuals who require services from DSPs to live full, meaningful lives in their communities. And unfortunately, the DSP workforce is in crisis. There are high turnover and vacancy rates, issues with tenure,… Read more Kindred Stories Spotlighting Direct Support Professionals