System-level Change in Healthcare Settings to Improve the Quality of Care for Patients with Disabilities

2020

Training Tomorrow's Leaders in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities PROBLEM: Approximately 50 million people in the US experience disability. Neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are particularly prevalent among children. With advances in care, many children with NDD/ASD are living into adulthood. Long-standing principles of child development and the recent public health perspective of a lifecourse framework indicate the critical need to address all aspects of child health, including health care and social determinants. Regrettably, there are relatively few health professionals with expertise in NDD/ASD, and even fewer with the ability to improve systems of care. The need for a diverse workforce is of particular concern in South Florida, a region of more 2.5 million, where English is not the first language for more than 60% of residents, and health disparities and unmet needs for children exceed state and national averages. GOALS: The purpose of this Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) application is to advance a currently vibrant training program that for 40 years has developed a skilled workforce of professionals dedicated to improving the health of children who have or are at risk for developing NDD/ASD. Goals include to (1) increase the number and diversity of leaders qualified to provide family-centered, interdisciplinary, culturally competent services; (2) increase the number of leaders who can evaluate and develop public policy and can (3) conduct research and integrate it into clinical programs and systems of care; (4) provide continuing education and technical assistance; and (5) improve local systems of care. METHODOLOGY: At least 70 long-term and 80 short- or medium- trainees (at least 50% from minority backgrounds) will be recruited each year in 13 LEND disciplines. Our program ensures acquisition of core skills and knowledge through (a) a case-based web course on core LEND topics; (b) an individual advocacy project to build skills in population-based needs assessment, evidence-based practice, public communication, and public policy advocacy; (c) center- and community-based interdisciplinary clinical experiences that incorporate family-centered care and cultural competency; and (d) weekly seminars on a variety of LEND topics including ethics, clinical research, and legislative advocacy. Two innovative aspects will be an (1) Emerging Transformational Leadership Program and (2) training professionals to engage adult as well as pediatric systems of care (dentistry, psychiatry, family and internal medicine). HP 2020 OBJECTIVES: DH 1-11, 13-20; MHMD 1- 7,11; MICH 1-4, 8, 9, 21, 24-33; PHI 1-3, 15-16; FP 8-15; GH-3, 4; EMC 1-4; AHS 1-7; NWS 10; ENT-VSL 1, 4.1, 5; V-1; HIV 8, 11; D 14; C 13; AH 1-11; ECBP 1-7, 10-12, 14; HC-HIT 1-13; IVP 37-38, 42; OH 1-2, 7-17. COORDINATION: The MCCD LEND collaborates with more than 90 universities, government agencies, and community partners, including a close collaboration with Florida?s State Title V agency, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, and MCHB training programs. EVALUATION: Annual progress reports focus on consumer satisfaction, number and satisfaction of trainees, and successful Individualized Training Plans. Follow-up trainee surveys are used to evaluate long-term outcomes, and all data is used to improve program quality. ANNOTATION: Interdisciplinary training has been a core part of the mission of the Mailman Center for 40 years. We educate more than 70 long-term trainees, two-thirds of whom are from underrepresented minorities groups, in 13 disciplines dedicated to children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. 85% of our graduates work in maternal-child health fields and demonstrate evidence of leadership 5 years after completing training at the Mailman Center.

Training Trainees, Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership

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, Rural/Remote, Urban

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

Federal

N/A