Happy New Year! Joining us for the first episode of 2023 is Betsy Humphreys, Karen Volle and Karina Mancini, who will share their experience with the New Hampshire-Maine Leadership Education Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) and the New England Regional Genetics Network programs, and how they relate to genetics advocacy. Elizabeth Humphreys is the Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program at the University of New Hampshire, a graduate leadership training and workforce development program aimed at improving systems of care for children with special health care needs. Since 2010 she has secured nearly 11 million dollars to implement the program in collaboration with the University of Maine UCEDD and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She is a Research Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Special Education in the UNH Department of Education. Dr. Humphreys has worked extensively throughout early intervention settings since 1985 in collaboration with public education, Head Start, state partners and childcare programs with a focus on developmental monitoring and screening in infants and toddlers. Dr. Humphreys research integrates two research to practice areas: 1) evaluating the effectiveness and accessibility of evidence-based interventions and services for young children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families, and 2) examining leadership frameworks that establish and support cross-systems collaborations for health and early education professionals. She has also co-authored book chapters, as well as numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts and presentations.Karen Volle has been a Project Director with the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire since February 2008 . Directly before this position Karen worked as a research assistant with the Crimes Against Children Center at UNH. Karen has a strong background in human services, having directed a Juvenile Intake program for eighteen years prior to working at UNH. This experience spanned child welfare, the juvenile court system and social services, and helped Karen learn to look across systems as well as to manage day to day activities. She now uses those skills at the IOD. She received her BA in psychology from Coe CollegeKarina is a LEND trainee, student, genetics professional, and prospective genetic counseling student based in New Hampshire. She completed her undergraduate degree in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences with a concentration in Cytogenetics at UConn. After graduation, she worked for two years as a cytogenetic technologist for a diagnostic hospital lab. Karina has a passion for genetics education and advocacy. Currently, she is a student in the NH-ME LEND program working on furthering her experience with the disability community, and hopes to attend a Master’s in Genetic Counseling program in the near future.In this episode we discuss:The mission of the LEND ProgramHow LEND helps people and families affected by neurodevelopmental disabilities Concepts and skills taught in LENDWho is eligible to participate in LENDThe LEND student experienceHow LEND prepares students for careers in genetic counselingUniversities that offer LEND and how students can get involvedTo learn more about LEND and how to get involved, check out their website.   Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on January 13th, 2023! New episodes are released every Fridays. In the meantime, you can binge over 215 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel.  DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebo