The Institute on Disability (NH LEND) Collaborated with Key Stakeholder Groups to Support Community-Based and Technical Assistance Activities
April 17, 2012
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| From left to right, Elizabeth Webster (Easter Seals), Shannon Kennedy, Megan Bairstow, Ciara Camire, and Lindsey McLean |
Beginning in September 2011, the NH LEND Program collaborated with key stakeholder groups to support community-based continuing education (CE) and technical assistance (TA) activities. In teams of two-four, NH LEND trainees and faculty mentor meet with the community group regarding a specific CE-TA activity, identify the goals for the activity, develop a work plan, and work with the community group in the completion of the activity.
Partnerships and activities this year have included the following:
Trainees collaborated with Special Medical Services (NH's Title V program for Children with Special Health Care Needs http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/dcbcs/bds/sms/) to complete a program evaluation of a health promotion campaign related to adolescents' transition from pediatric to adult health care. Trainees assisted in collection and analysis of post-campaign survey data to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign. Findings were presented as a poster at the annual Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) meeting in February 2012 and a summary brief is under preparation.
Trainees collaborated with the Center for Medical Home Improvement to support the work of the MCHB-funded program Got Transition?, a national health care transition center (http://www.gottransition.org/). Trainees attended learning sessions with four NH primary care practices and collaborated with them to develop practice guidelines and readiness materials regarding health care transition. Trainees developed "plain language" examples of materials for youth with developmental disabilities.
A NH LEND family discipline trainee and faculty mentor collaborated with staff from Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover NH to present a CE workshop on the Landscape of Autism. Topics included the characteristics of autism, diagnostic criteria, prevalence data, early identification and diagnosis, and sharing information with families. The LEND trainee presented a parent's perspective regarding preparing and supporting young children during hospital visits.
Trainees collaborated with a local Easter Seals program to offer two Autism Registration events in local communities as part of the Autism 9-1-1 program (http://nh.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=NHDR_Autism911). Trainees coordinated all arrangements with local first responder agencies (fire, emergency, police) to host the event during which families could register the child with autism. Emergency preparedness materials were distributed to all families who participated including stickers for home and vehicle. Children and their families had the opportunity to meet first responders and to explore emergency vehicles.
Trainees collaborated with the NH Act Early Ambassador to support the dissemination of materials and trainings related the CDC's Learn the Signs, Act Early campaign (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/). Trainees have partnered with the NH Act Early Team, the Center for Professional Excellence in Child Welfare, and the Watch Me Grow System (NH's initiative for universal developmental screening) to identify potential outlets for dissemination of the Act Early materials. Trainees are also involved in developing trainings for health care, child welfare, and early care providers regarding early development and early signs of autism.
The LEND trainees participation in community-based CE-TA activities has served to strengthen the NH LEND program's partnerships with key community agencies while supporting meaningful activities within the community.
