Nevada Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Project Description:
The purpose of the NvLEND is to improve the quality of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families throughout Nevada. The NvLEND will do this by annually preparing 14 trainees and fellows from a range of disciplines to take new leadership roles in evolving settings and systems of care. They will become culturally competent leaders and professionals with a family-centered approach that enhances their capabilities to evaluate, accurately diagnose, develop, and provide evidence-based interventions to children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.
Goals: 1) In collaboration with state agencies including Title V, CYSHN, private organizations, private health care providers, families, school districts, and others, develop a community of interdisciplinary leaders in Nevada who will serve and improve the system of services for infants, children, adolescents and adults in Nevada who have, or are at risk for developing neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities with a special emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorder. 2) Continue to maintain the overall administrative structure of the Nevada LEND including collection and reporting of evaluation data. 3) Disseminate information on evidence-based practices and participate in systemic efforts to eliminate barriers and to improve screening, diagnosis and intervention for ASD and other neurodevelopmental disabilities especially in underserved communities. 4) Expand the capacity of NvLEND and associated programs to provide high-quality, interdisciplinary assessments for autism and other related neurodevelopmental disabilities to children and adolescents within the state of Nevada.
Methodology: Each year, 14 qualified trainees from a minimum of 8 different disciplines will complete a minimum of 325 hours of innovative training through the NvLEND Interdisciplinary Leadership Program that includes didactic, clinical, and leadership activities. NvLEND will incorporate new webinars, materials, and other training activities from other MCHB and HRSA projects to continuously improve the program. Interdisciplinary assessments will be provided to underserved rural and frontier communities while meeting the need for trainees to have experience with remote and diverse populations.
Evaluation: Both a formative and summative evaluation process will be followed with quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the implementation of the goals and objectives of the NvLEND. Regular review of the evaluation data will be used to improve the project. Expected benefits include increasing the capacity of the Maternal and Child Health workforce to continuously improve the quality of services and systems that serve individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities in Nevada.
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, 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, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
