New Diversity Fellowship: Applications Due October 22

ICI's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL) has launched a new fellowship opportunity that aims to (1) increase the disability knowledge capacity within a community-based organization (CBO) that serves diverse and/or underrepresented families, and (2) inform ICI about how to increase staff/trainee diversity, support underserved individuals and families, and better serve diverse communities. Known as the Research and Training Center on Community Living Diversity Fellowships, the project began September 1 and is part of RTC-CL's ongoing efforts to address the professional and educational disparities experienced by historically underrepresented communities in Minnesota. It will also expand the Center's network to diverse staff and stakeholders. The Diversity Fellowship is funded by a one-year, $50,000 grant from the Administration on Disabilities' Excellence in Developmental Disabilities National Training Initiative in the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "It is a pipeline grant to improve the recruitment and employment of underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, within the UCEDD and in the workforce," says project staff member Anab Gulaid (pictured second from left), referring to ICI's status as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

This project will fund two Fellows. One will be a CBO staff member who serves underrepresented Minnesota families and is interested in the disability field. The other Fellow will be a graduate student or MNLEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program) alumna/alumnus or a person with emerging expertise (which may include lived experience) in serving individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families, and who is interested in community work. Both Fellows will commit to a year-long project chosen in collaboration with their CBO and RTC-CL mentors. Projects will seek to instill inclusion within organizations and among individuals, such as in a culturally-responsive person- and family-centered thinking and planning model. Participating Fellows and CBOs will, in turn, better serve the diverse needs of families. The lessons that Fellows learn from working in CBOs will inform future inclusive training efforts and expand RTC-CL internal practices and norms, while advancing a shared commitment to expand diversity within RTC-CL and partners.

"This is a great opportunity for ICI to expand our community outreach in diverse and underrepresented communities, provide new educational opportunities around disability, and also learn from our Fellows about building new connections and community partnerships," says Jennifer Hall-Lande (pictured at right), the project's Principal Investigator (PI). Heidi Eschenbacher (third from left) is Co-PI. Other project staff are Rebecca Dosch Brown (left) and Gulaid.

For further information on this opportunity, or to apply, please click here.  Applications are due October 22 at noon Central Time.