DC LEND Family Connections Program Hosts Families, Trainees, and Faculty

October 22, 2008

On Saturday, September 28, 2008, DC LEND at Children's National Medical Center, Washington DC, hosted its annual Family Connections Program luncheon.  The event was attended by faculty, staff, trainees, alums, and several wonderful families.  The luncheon was held in the Children's Research Institute atrium to kick-off another year of the LEND program. The program started  with a few words by DC LEND's leadership Drs. Mark Batshaw, Gaetano Lotrecchiano and Toby Long followed by introductions of the new LEND trainees, and a representative from each of the LEND families.  Mrs. Jana Monaco, the Family Connections Coordinator, stated "this event provides an excellent opportunity for LEND families new to the program as well as our veteran families to share their experiences and give them a sense of what to expect in the coming year."  LEND trainees had a chance to meet with their partner families and begin to forge relationships that will be cultivated throughout the year as they visit family's homes, attend schools, play experiences, and clinic visits. DC LEND is proud of the ever growing Family Connections program and as a new Combating Autism Act Grant recipient we are looking forward to expanding our program to include more families of children with autism. We welcome Lisa Greenman, JD as our new family faculty member for autism and look forward to expanding with leadership from Jana and Lisa.