The UpSTREAM Program

Explore Careers Helping Kids with Developmental Disabilities!

The UpSTREAM Program is a free, hands-on opportunity for high school and college students to learn about careers working with children who have developmental disabilities, like autism, cerebral palsy, learning delays, and more. This program is affiliated with the Blue Ridge Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program at the University of Virginia and Mary Baldwin University — a program that trains future leaders in healthcare and education for kids with disabilities. (Click the link at the bottom of this page to learn about Blue Ridge LEND.)

What You'll Do in the Program:

Job-shadowing: Spend a day with a professional who works with children with developmental disabilities. Choose the type of professional you want to observe from the list below:
• Speech-language therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Physical therapist
• Psychologist
• Special education teacher
• Medical doctor
• Nurse

Mentorship: Be paired with a graduate student studying your field of interest. Your mentor will:
• Share advice about their career path
• Help guide your next steps
• Chat with you by email and at least once by phone or video

Learn & Reflect
• Watch videos or attend live online talks to learn more about developmental disabilities
• Attend a special event on May 1, 2026 where graduate students (including your mentor!) present their projects
• Write a short reflection about what you learned and experienced in the program

Get Paid for Your Time: Students selected for UpSTREAM will receive a $500 stipend. Plus, the program will pay for your travel to the job shadowing day and the May 1 event.