The National Training Initiative awarded grants to 14 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), including the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD), to develop diversity fellowship programs. The goals of these programs are to improve recruitment and employment of underrepresented groups in the UCEDD network and developmental disabilities workforce. Asad Ahmed and Allison Elwell have been selected as Diversity Fellows at WIHD. They will work with the Westchester County Department of Social Services to implement a diversity awareness campaign and with Open Door Family Medical Centers to develop a plan to further cultural and linguistic competency among employees. The Fellows' objectives are to increase their knowledge around issues like cultural competence, complete a self-

1. National Training Initiative – UCEDD Diversity Fellowship
at the Westchester Institute for Human Development
Diversity Fellows: Asad Ahmed, BA; Allison Elwell, BA
Project Director: Jenean Castillo, PhD
The Administration on Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), a part of
the Administration on Community Living
(ACL), awarded National Training Initiative
grants to 14 University Centers for Excellence
in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) to
develop diversity fellowship programs to
support recruitment and retention of diverse
trainees, and build cultural and linguistic
competence within their Centers.
Designed as a pipeline grant, the goals of the
diversity fellowships are to:
• Improve the recruitment and employment
of underrepresented groups, including
people with disabilities, within the UCEDD
and in the workforce
• Increase the diversity of leadership, staff
and governing bodies across the DD
network
• Build cultural competence capacity with the
leadership, staff, and governing bodies
across the DD network
• Increase the number of persons with
disabilities from underrepresented groups
and disadvantage backgrounds who
benefit from AIDD supported programs.
Background
Westchester County Department of Social Services (DSS) provides an array of services to Westchester
residents in need of help, including the areas of child support, food, housing, medical services and home
energy costs. It also provides protective and preventative services for vulnerable children and adults. DSS
hopes to better educate the staff of the on the importance of implementing diversity/inclusion in campaigns,
events, policies, procedures and hiring practices. The Diversity Fellows will be working with DSS to
implement a diversity awareness campaign.
Open Door Family Medical Centers (ODFMC) is an expert in all aspects of health, with a broad focus on
building healthier communities. ODFMC’s primary mission is to keep the people of Westchester and Putnam
Counties healthy and strong, regardless of their ability to pay. The ODFMC leadership team has expressed
an interest in furthering the linguistic and cultural competency of its employees in order to provide the most
effective healthcare possible. They have expressed an interest in learning more about social determinants
of health and how they influence a patient’s engagement in a treatment plan. The Diversity Fellows from
WIHD will develop a plan of action to further the stated goals of the ODFMC.
Asad Ahmed is an MPH student at New York Medical College studying Health Promotion and
Behavioral Science. Previously, he has gained public health experience in various settings
ranging from personal trainer, assistant project director/practicum student at the Columbia
University Harlem Health Promotion Center and quality improvement intern/assistant project
director at the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute National Quality Center.
Allison Elwell is a LEND trainee at WIHD where she will receive a graduate certificate in
Children with Special Healthcare Needs and attends Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY where
she will receive an MS degree in Communication Disorders. She received her BA in
Anthropology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. Allison is interested in researching
healthcare disparities as a whole, and is especially interested in healthcare provision in rural
areas.
Meet the Fellows
Program Description
To support fellow from diverse backgrounds (as defined by AIDD)
to increase their knowledge, skills and values related to individual
and institutional cultural and linguistic competency,
fellow/workforce diversity, and community collaborations
Goal
Objectives
 Become familiar with issues and strategies related to diversity,
disparities, institutional and individual cultural competence,
systems change, and leadership skills to promote systems
change
 Develop a paper reflecting key aspects of their self-study
 Partner with community–based organizations in diverse
communities to carry out projects in response to the needs and
values of the community
 Enhance/promote cultural and linguistic competency at WIHD
 Share and disseminate your efforts and completed projects
Project Descriptions