Project Description:
Oklahoma LEND is building the capacity of the state to provide family-centered/person-centered, culturally competent, interdisciplinary and inclusive services through the increased capacity of professionals receiving interdisciplinary leadership training through this program. In addition, the program is building the capacity of the state personnel preparation system through the increased capacity of faculty, including family, self-advocate and community faculty, to provide interdisciplinary preservice and in-service education. The program is a model for expansion of interdisciplinary preservice education in the state.
Need: Oklahoma LEND addresses the need in the state for health-related professionals with the leadership and advocacy skills to promote best practice services and supports for children and youth with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families.
Goals: The overall goal of the program is to provide interdisciplinary leadership and advocacy training to selected advanced graduate students in multiple disciplines who have demonstrated academic excellence and strong leadership potential. These students learn and experience best practice service principles and acquire the leadership and advocacy skills to promote those principles.
Unusual Features: Unusual features of the program include: the interdisciplinary nature of both selected advanced graduate students and the Core Faculty who provide instruction and direction for the program; the focus on leadership, advocacy and best practice principles that cut across all disciplines; the extensive number of clinical and community interdisciplinary practicum experiences; and the national network of LEND trainees, faculty and graduates.
Benefits: Expected and documented benefits include increased capacity of the state to more effectively meet the needs of children and families, leadership and advocacy for pertinent statewide and local issues and systems change toward best practice services that are coordinated and community-based.
Keyword(s):
interdisciplinary, leadership, advocacy, disabilities,
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Transportation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership, Other
Target Audience:
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
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Another State, Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National, International
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
