Project Description:
The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies has joined the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Institute on Disability, and Children?s Hospital at Dartmouth as a partner in the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH-LEND) Program. The NH-LEND Program provides graduate level interdisciplinary training for students and professionals from diverse disciplines, including developmental pediatrics, early childhood education, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, health management and policy, and speech language pathology. Through the use of eLearning and videoconferencing technology at UNH, University of Maine trainees participate remotely in the weekly NH-LEND seminar. Ultimately, this new partnership will reach an area not currently served by a LEND training program, develop infrastructure, and address regional needs, particularly in rural underserved regions of Maine.
This rigorous 10-month curriculum follows the academic calendar and includes coursework and hands-on experiences with faculty, families, community partners, and legislators that support trainees? abilities to:
Develop leadership skills that address the needs of children who have neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families, and allow trainees to move into leadership roles in their communities.
Develop an understanding of public policy and evidence-based care.
Participate in clinical training at hospital and community-based clinical settings in Maine.
Program activities include leadership development, clinical training, continuing education/technical assistance, research, and cultural competency field work.
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
