LEND Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

2012

The Minnesota LEND Leadership Training Program (MN LEND) at the University of Minnesota (UMN) is designed to improve the health/well being of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families through the preparation of competent professionals who can provide comprehensive care, serve as advocates, conduct applied research, and provide local, regional and national leadership in NDD/ASD. To accomplish this goal, the MN LEND provides intensive interdisciplinary training through methods including: 1) multi-faceted seminars/didactics for future practitioners; 2) practicum experiences in university and community clinics, public schools, multi-cultural advocacy groups, and public health sites 3) clinical scholarship through research and 4) opportunities for providing technical assistance to Title V and other community providers and supporting children /youth with ASD/NDD. Our current and proposed program goals are consistent with the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Combating Autism Act 2006 (CAA) goals. MN LEND brings together exemplary faculty (including people with disabilities and family members) representing 13 disciplines, the University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and MCH partners to prepare trainees in MN to assume leadership roles and ensure high levels of interdisciplinary clinical and leadership competence in NDD/ASDs. MN LEND collaborates with communities, health professionals, and other MCH funded programs focused on the health of persons with special health care needs.

Training, Education, Autism, Neurodevelopmental, Minnesota

Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Housing-Related Activities, Transportation-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership, Other

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Specific Groups

Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National, International

N/A