Utah Regional LEND - Urlend

09/22/2025

Meet our trainee Kristen Glennie
Speech-Language Pathology

Kristen is a western transplant, though sources claim she's been "Howdy-ing" at folks since the early 2000's. Originally from Maine, Kristen graduated from Clark University in 2018, with a B.A in Biology and Public Health. She entered the workforce in Boston, MA as a Research Associate at a small biotech company. Wanting to pivot her career towards public health, Kristen spent a year in Cheyenne as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Wyoming Department of Health's Aging Division. In this role, she crisscrossed Wyoming several times, working to improve older adult's access to care. In 2024 she completed her master's degree in Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University, where her research focused on a preclinical model of brain aging. Currently, Kristen is working as a Senior Project Coordinator with the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, and Wyoming Telehealth Network. Her ultimate goal is to expand equitable access to healthcare, and she is excited to continue learning about the intersections of health, well-being, and disability with the URLEND team.

When not in the office, Kristen can be found running, hiking, crafting, or with her partner - trying to set a new PR at their local all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant.

https://www.urlend.org/directory/trainee-directory/kristen-glennie

09/22/2025

Meet our trainee Carlos Flores
Social Work

Meet Carlos Flores, a mental health therapist, who recently earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Utah. He is deeply passionate about mental health, with a strong commitment to helping individuals find healing and realize their full potential. With two daughters of his own, he has a particular interest in supporting the mental well-being of young people and fostering strong parent-child relationships.

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, he enjoys a variety of cultural pursuits, including movies, theater, museums, and concerts, and also keeps active by running. His professional goals align with his personal passion: "To empower individuals on their journey to mental wellness". He is particularly interested in URLEND because of its interdisciplinary approach to improving the lives of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and believes his expertise in mental health can contribute significantly to its mission.

https://www.urlend.org/directory/trainee-directory/carlos-flores

09/18/2025

Meet our Trainee

Kyle Erickson, Self-Advocate is back for a second year with us!

Kyle Erickson has been involved in the disability field since 2022. As a research Associate at the North Dakota Center for People with Disabilities, he is involved with several projects that help improve the lives of people with disabilities. Kyle is on the board of Directors for the local Center for Independent Living.

In his free time, Erickson is has been performing comedy for about 4 years.
https://www.urlend.org/directory/trainee-directory/kyle-erickson

09/18/2025

Read about our faculty at www.urlend.org
Today we highlight Emmie Gardner, Social Work

Emmie Gardner is CEO for Holy Cross Ministries (HCM), a non-profit social service organization that has been in Salt Lake City Utah since 1995. Their mission is to respond to the underserved community’s need for health and well-being, via three main pillars of service – Health, Education, and Justice. Emmie is a mission driven leader with a demonstrated 35-year history of working in non-profit healthcare as well as mental health and social service settings - spending 27 years at Primary Children’s in the psychiatry and cancer service lines. As the daughter of an immigrant, she is passionate about helping immigrant and underserved populations and empowering them to find their voice.

She is a clinical social worker by training who also holds a graduate certificate in mediation and conflict resolution, both from the University of Utah. Emmie maintains her affiliation with the College of Social Work(CSW) by being a member of their Community Advisory Board and Admissions Review Committee. Emmie is a passionate pediatric advocate and a member of the Board of Directors for Voices for Utah Children.

She completed a certification in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (URLEND) from Utah State University. She is developing enhanced programming in her organization to advance the intersectionality of culture and neuro-diversity. Emmie and her husband are proud parents of 2 fiercely independent adult daughters who have launched and now live and work in the Pacific Northwest. Emmie especially loves her abuelita (grandma) time with her granddaughter.

09/16/2025

Meet our Trainee Carlee Dynes
Counseling Psychology

Carlee Guenther Dynes is a 2nd year Counseling Psychology PhD student at BYU. She is interested in parent/caregiver mental health, especially for parents who care for children with disabilities and special medical needs, and the gendered dimensions of caregiving. Carlee is the parent to 5 children, some of whom have disabilities and special medical needs. Prior to starting this PhD, Carlee has worked as an executive for a small tech company, full-time caregiver to her children, and in the inpatient psychiatric care unit at Utah Valley Hospital. She also recently completed a MS in Sociology where she researched gender and family. Carlee grew up on the prairies of Alberta Canada, spent some time in New Haven, CT while her husband was in graduate school, and now lives in Provo UT with her husband and children. She likes traveling, hiking, camping, yoga, reading, baking, spending time with friends and family, and can often be found talking about feminism.

https://www.urlend.org/directory/trainee-directory/carlee-dynes

09/10/2025

Meet our trainee Addie Day, Family Nurse Practitioner

Addie Day is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with experience diagnosing and managing ADHD in both adult and pediatric patients. Prior to completing her Nurse Practitioner education, she worked as a registered nurse in the hospital setting, caring for obstetric and newborn patients. She recently joined the Developmental Assessment Clinic at Primary Children’s Hospital, where she is part of a team focused on early identification and support for children with developmental concerns.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. She is drawn to the URLEND program for its interdisciplinary approach and its focus on improving care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is especially interested in expanding access to quality behavioral health services and building her skills in advocacy and family-centered care.

https://www.urlend.org/directory/trainee-directory/addie-day

09/04/2025

Great article by the National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials & Instruction (NCADEMI), a technical assistance center funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education.

"The goal should be simple: when a student sits down to take a test, the only thing being measured is their knowledge and skills."

September 3, 2025 by Guest Author Home > Blog > Why Accessible Assessments Matter: Jack’s Story Guest Post This guest post was written by Sarah Chatfield, CEO of Sonja Biggs Educational Services Inc. Sarah lives in South Carolina with her husband Dave and children Jack, Luke, and Charlotte. Sarah ...

09/04/2025

Read about our faculty at www.urlend.org

Today we highlight Judith Holt, Ph.D., Evaluation Specialist / Special Education.

Dr. Holt initiated and made the URLEND program reality over 18 years ago. She has since retired as Co-Director but has graciously accepted the position of URLEND Evaluation Specialist. She received her PhD from the University of Texas in Austin. She holds a B.A. in English and Psychology, M.A. in Graduate Education: Counseling and Guidance, and a Ph.D. in Special Education: Emphasis in Early Childhood / Multi-handicapped / Visually Impaired.

She recently held two faculty appointments: (1) Associate Professor of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at Utah State University, and (2) Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine University of Utah Health Science Center. She has extensive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating supports and services for children, youth, and adults with disabilities and their families/support systems. Dr. Holt is a strong advocate for consumer direction and choice. She has developed numerous educational materials that focus on the key concepts of independent living. She has published articles in a number of national publications and presented at several national conferences.

09/03/2025

Learning language in early childhood occurs through interaction between children and their caregivers. It is a foundational process that allows children to participate in social interactions, learn from the world, and develop other essential skills such as literacy.

Having a language delay or disorder is associated with greater risk for experiencing trauma and vice versa. Furthermore, children’s and caregivers’ trauma histories can impact their individual strengths and needs related to participation in early language intervention.

Learn more about integrating trauma awareness into early language support: https://www.waisman.wisc.edu/2025/08/25/integrating-trauma-awareness-into-early-language-support/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AUCD%20360%20-%20August%202025&utm_campaign=AUCD%20360%20-%20August%202025

Send a message to learn more

09/03/2025

Free Webinar: Education Policy Basics: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Current Environment

Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 3:00 PM ET - 4:30 PM ET

Why is the Federal government important in education policy for students with disabilities? What does the Department of Education do and what do states control? What changes are coming and what do they mean? And how does all of this influence the lives and independence of people with disabilities living in the community? Trainees are invited to join the AUCD Policy team, in partnership with the Community Living Policy Center within the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University, to learn more about Education Policy and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Join us and learn more!

AUCD’s Community Inclusion Team supports the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Network in partnership with the Administration for Community Living.

09/02/2025

Meet Connor Brophy, Trainee in Pediatric Dentistry

Connor Brophy is a Pediatric Dental Resident at Primary Children's Hospital. His goals are to become a board-certified Pediatric Dentist and own a practice someday. Connor grew up in Kaysville, Utah but currently lives in Salt Lake City. Connor is interested in sports (golf, football, soccer), spending time with family, and being out on the lake on a hot day. Connor is interested in URLEND to learn more about leadership in health.

https://sites.google.com/view/urlend/directory/trainee-directory/connor-brophy

08/29/2025

Meet Isabella Bass, Audiology Trainee

Isabella Bass is a second year Doctorate of Audiology Student at the University of Utah. She graduated from Idaho State University in Pre-Audiology with a minor in Sign Language Studies. Her passion is to provide accessibility and services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in schools. She currently works at the University of Utah Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic as the Audiology Referral Specialist. She has a pet corgi named Norman and hopes to continue to practice her Spanish and American Sign Language for her future patients.

https://www.urlend.org/directory/trainee-directory/isabella-bass