New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program
Project Description:
The purpose of the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NH LEND) Program is to educate and train the next generation of leaders in maternal and child health and, thereby, improve the health and eliminate disparities in health of infants, children, and adolescents who have, or are at risk for developing, neurodevelopmental or related disabilities. This Program provides community- and center-based family-centered, culturally competent, interdisciplinary leadership training in ten disciplines to graduate students and Post Doctoral Fellows to prepare them for leadership positions and careers in MCH-related fields. The NH LEND Program uses both formative and summative project evaluation procedures that focus on the ability to produce leaders in maternal and child health. Specific focus is paid to the health-care issues of adolescence and transition to adulthood, behavioral and mental health of CNDDF, and oral health of children with disabilities.
The curriculum is guided by 13 core competencies in which Trainees will develop their values, knowledge, clinical expertise, and leadership skills, while supporting research, public policy development, continuing education, and technical assistance activities. The curriculum emphasizes a) family centered and culturally competent practices b) an understanding of populations as well as individuals c) public and private health care environments (including a medical home and specialized care settings), and d) integrated systems of care across settings. Emerging leaders will develop understanding and skills in the areas of public policy, program administration, and advocacy in order to impact the larger systems of the public health environment including welfare reform (TANF), CHIPS, managed care, state and local authority over service delivery, and educational reform. Additionally, special MCHB concerns and priorities and NH?s SMS Block grant priorities are addressed within core competency areas. Finally, partnerships with families and individuals with disabilities are stressed throughout the curriculum.
The NH LEND program will provide technical assistance to NH Title V staff, NH Area Agency systems, regional early intervention programs, Head Start programs, the NH Division of Developmental Disabilities, and pediatric practices. Collaboration with these programs and organizations provides the opportunity for faculty members and trainees to be active partners in service delivery, policy development, and research.
The NH LEND Program uses both formative and summative project evaluation procedures that focus on the ability to produce leaders in family-centered care, special health-care, and developmental disabilities. The evaluation questions are derived directly from each project goal. The Dartmouth Center for Educational Outcomes is a partner in developing the process for measuring the impact of the NH LEND Program.
Keyword(s):
Interdisciplinary, Leadership, Disabilities, Outcomes, Title V
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
