This four-part series features the Minnesota Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities organization and how disabilities affect child welfare and parenting.
Episode 1: Parent-Centered Planning for Parents with Disabilities
In this episode Dr. Liz Lightfoot, Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, interviews Dr. Sharyn DeZelar about the parent-centered planning model and its benefit to parents with disabilities involved in child welfare.
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Episode 2: LEND Interview with DJ Strons
In this episode Jenny Tessmer, a Minnesota LEND Fellow (Minnesota Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities), interviews former LEND Fellow DerJuan Strons (DJ) about the intersectionality of disabilities, social work and child welfare. Listen as they take a deep dive into how disabilities can impact parenting. DJ speaks on how his education in neurological disabilities has guided him in his work as a child protection worker. He also describes how Hennepin County aims to support families by providing resources, family-centered care and support with the goal of reunification.
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Episode 3: LEND Interview with Gail Meyer
In this episode LEND Fellow Jenny Tessmer interviews long time foster parent Gail Meyer. Gail speaks about the joys and challenges of being a foster parent for over 20 years. She also talks about the necessity of supports and programming needed in order to support foster children with diagnosed and undiagnosed disabilities.
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Episode 4: LEND Interview with Heather Van Brunt and Alyssa Mason
In this episode, Erin Ward, from the University of Minnesota LEND Program (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities), interviews Heather Van Brunt, Program Manager at MN Adopt. MN Adopt is an organization in Minnesota that provides support and resources to foster and adoptive families. Erin also interviews Alyssa Mason, a pediatric occupational therapist working in a school district. Alyssa is a second year LEND fellow. Both guests share information and insight for foster and adoptive families in the midst of navigating parenting resources, specifically for children who have experienced trauma.
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