NM LEND Collaboration Between Programs and Families in New Mexico

April 21, 2011

NM LEND PPC

NM LEND partnered with the NM Pediatric Pulmonary Center (PPC) training program for a combined Advisory Board Meeting on April Fool's Day.  The meeting was attended by 59 of our trainees, faculty, community partners, self-advocates and family as faculty.  A family leadership panel presented on methods that family leadership is fostered in multiple ways from the different programs.  The panel included representatives from Parents Reaching Out (MCH state family to family resource center), EPICS (resource center for parents of Indian children), parents who are family faculty, LEND/PPC family faculty member and PPC social work faculty.  A rich discussion ensued.  Commonalities of the family mentorship models were identified, strategies to strengthen partnerships between programs were discussed and additional partnership opportunities were suggested.  There was consensus regarding the necessity of linking families, efforts and experiences across programs.     

LEND and PPC trainees practiced leadership skills by facilitating the afternoon small group discussions.  The small groups advised the MCH training programs regarding activities and strategies to augment their curricula on four topics areas that included cultural competence, autism, asthma/pulmonary, and transition from pediatric to adult care.  The LEND and PPC programs benefited from the creative thinking of the diverse groups and have abundant ideas, suggestions and approaches to enrich their training.