Core Curriculum: Colorado
September 1, 1999
COLORADO
09/01/1999
Interdisciplinary Training Curriculum
J. F. Kennedy Center for Developmental Disabilities
University of Colorado
Overview of the Components: The curriculum for interdisciplinary training was developed with six cornerstone components: core values, clinical and community application, teaching/mentoring, and research skills, appreciation of complex systems and leadership skills for advanced levels of practice. The components of teaching and mentoring, research, clinical and community application comprise the areas of practice expertise expected and result in development of basic performance competencies for each trainee. Leadership development opportunities are fused into every experience to which the trainees are exposed, and is designed to help trainees and fellows develop skills of influence of other peoples attitudes and behaviors as they work together in teams and communities and enable them to positively impact organizations and systems.
a) Key Concepts in Pediatric Developmental Disabilities
Description: This interdisciplinary leadership seminar focuses on systems issues affecting children and youth with neuro-developmental and related disabilities and their families. The seminar provides an advanced knowledge base in populations of neuro-developmental and related disabilities needed to implement coordinated, family centered, community-based, and culturally competent care.
There are four organizing concepts: 1.) health-related quality of life constructs, 2.) theoretical framework for disability (disablement schema); 3.) standards of care; 4.) community/school-based healthcare delivery in the current managed care environment for populations of children with neuro-developmental and related disabilities. The theoretical framework for disability (disablement schema) provides students with a means to classify the functional consequences of pathology, or illness.
Targeted Students: All full time trainees and fellows participate in this course.
Contacts: Corry Robinson, Ph.D., RN
Phone: 303-864-5261
[email protected]
Mary Jane Rapport, Ph.D., PT
Phone: 303-864-5166
[email protected]
b) Teaming, Consultation, and Leadership Dialogues
Description: The Teaming, Consultation, and Leadership Dialogues seminar has provided opportunities for knowledge development, individual reflection and context for leadership practice. The academic content enhances each trainee or fellows integration of learning and mentoring experiences, and application of leadership skills to clinical and community practice. Leadership Dialogues topics are interwoven with Seminar 1 activities.
Content in the topic areas is provided to orient trainees to the resources available in leadership theory and practice, consultation, organization and team leadership, ethics, family-centered care, and communication. The individual evaluation process is on-going via a personal leadership profile completed by each trainee.
Targeted Students: Leadership Dialogues meets weekly, and is a required course for trainees and fellows supported by the Personnel Preparation training grants, CoLEND, and the Colorado Department of Education.
Contacts: Ann P. Grady, Ph.D., OTR
Phone: 303-864-5263
[email protected]
Larry Edelman, M.S.
Phone: 303-864-5264
[email protected]
c) Assistive Technology
Description: Strategies in Assistive Technology is a course for preparation for work with populations of children with disabilities that occur with low incidence. In addition to the course work, trainees have an opportunity to register for a two credit per quarter practicum placement in assistive technology applications at school, home, or community.
The purpose of the course work-practica approach is to provide opportunities for trainees to acquire competencies needed to function as consultants, interdisciplinary team members, and leaders in developing assistive technology programs for infants, toddlers, and school- age children.
Targeted Students: Leadership Dialogues meets weekly, and is a required course for trainees and fellows supported by the Personnel Preparation training grants, CoLEND, and the Colorado Department of Education.
Contacts: Cathy Bodine, M.S.
Phone: 303-864-5111
[email protected]
Jami Goetz, Ph.D.
Phone: 303-556-3669
[email protected]
d) Practicum
Description: Practicum opportunities are available for trainees to chose, including programs at JFK Partners, or a worksite, community-based practicum under the supervision of faculty and site coordinator. Each trainee or fellow completes a practicum planner at the beginning of the year to identify specific areas of learning that they expect to accomplish through the practicum experience.
Types of practica options include:
- Interdisciplinary clinical practica which provide the primary base for the application of interdisciplinary team leadership skills from Leadership Dialogues coursework. Trainees and fellows will serve in team leader and service coordinator roles. Additional interdisciplinary clinical practica and elective interdisciplinary practica may be in a selected primary site in the field in the community affiliated settings including rural venues.
- Community-Based Consultation. The purpose of this practicum focus is for trainees and fellows to demonstrate competency in effective procedures to successfully include children with neurodevelopmental disabilities into community-based programs through the consultation process. Trainees and fellows will experience different types of consultation models, essential features of those models, obstacles within the consultation process, and strategies to overcome obstacles. Skills from Leadership Dialogues, including effective listening, and interviewing techniques, negotiating around values and priorities, assessing needs of key stakeholders, identification of roles and resources, and consensus decision-making.
- Teaching. Communication of information to a variety of disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and general audiences is a critical skill for leaders in academic, agency, or community settings. While there are multiple opportunities throughout the course of the year, the practicum on teaching provides a specific venue for trainees and fellows to develop, deliver and evaluate instruction, including the preparation of supportive media.
- Research. All core faculty members are involved in a variety of archival and original research efforts from which trainees may choose to participate. Activities will permit trainees and fellows to participate in needs assessment, program evaluation, and investigational research. An archive of data sets is maintained and available for secondary analyses including: a.) number of Part C eligible children in the state, and their distribution geographically; and b.) national survey data pertaining to "medically fragile" children and others with special needs. Techniques particularly appropriate to research and program evaluation in this field is taught, and trainees and fellows may elect to implement them in specially designed projects.
- Policy Analysis/System Development. This practica offers opportunities for trainees and fellows to work on issues of implementation of value based (family-centered, community-based, culturally competent. and coordinated care at the clinic, institution/agency, or state system level. Projects have focused on policy, populations, standards of care, quality assurance, and national or state defined expected outcomes. Faculty, particularly discipline directors, or other uniquely qualified faculty advise trainees on practicum selection and supervise their efforts. In the case of policy-making activities, supervision is shared between the discipline supervisor and a representative of the agency, such as the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.
Targeted Students: Trainees support by the Personnel Preparation, Colorado Department of Education, and CoLEND Grants.
Contact: Ann P. Grady, Ph.D., OTR
Phone: 303-864-5263
[email protected]
