Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND)

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This announcement solicits applications for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Training Program. The purpose of this graduate-level training program is to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents who have, or are at risk for developing, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities (DD), by expanding interdisciplinary training opportunities for graduate-level trainees from a wide variety of professional disciplines. The program will also increase the number of sites able to diagnose or rule out autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities, ensuring that trainees: receive an appropriate balance of academic, clinical, and community opportunities; are culturally competent and diverse; demonstrate high levels of clinical competence in evaluating, diagnosing or ruling out, developing, and providing evidence-based interventions to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities; and demonstrate an ability to use a family-centered approach assume leadership roles in the field after their training Goals of the program are to: Train graduate/doctoral/postdoctoral students on the complex needs of those with neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities, including autism, in an interdisciplinary manner; Increase the number of trained providers available to diagnose and treat those with complex  neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities, including autism; and  Enhance the clinical expertise and leadership skills of practicing professionals and families dedicated to caring for children with neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities, including autism. Specific objectives of LEND programs are to: Provide high-quality interdisciplinary graduate-level education to long-term trainees that emphasizes the integration of services supported by state, local agencies, organizations, private providers, and communities; Train medium- and short-term trainees, including practicing professionals and families, to increase knowledge and skills around developmental disabilities and autism; Engage current university faculty from a variety of disciplines to encourage interdisciplinary training and mentor trainees; Increase the number of interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluations provided by LEND faculty and trainees; Ensure that LEND programs are engaged in the national network of LEND programs to foster collaboration, coordinate program efforts, disseminate research to the field, and provide peer mentorship opportunities; Increase the number of trainees from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; and Increase the number of individuals with disabilities and family members in the program as trainees, faculty, and program consultants whenever appropriate and feasible. The hallmarks of LEND programs include: leadership training in an interdisciplinary setting, including clinical settings; a strong didactic curriculum to engage and educate trainees; a strong commitment to trainee and faculty diversity; commitment to improving health equity in vulnerable and underserved populations; capacity-building of providers able to diagnose and treat individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities; culturally/linguistic competency training and practice; family-centered training and practice; inclusion of family trainees and family faculty in programs; inclusion of individuals with disabilities in programs; and trainee mentorship by experienced faculty.

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