Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and other Disabilities (LEND)
Project Description:
Project Description: The purpose of CT LEND is to improve the outcomes of infants, children and youth with complex neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism by expanding interdisciplinary training opportunities for graduate students from the disciplines of Audiology, Developmental Pediatrics, Nursing, Public Health, School Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, and Speech Language Pathology, Dentistry, Human Development and Family Studies, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Psychology.
Need: Interdisciplinary leaders in CT at the University, state and community level are needed to improve life course outcomes of children, youth, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Neurodevelopmental, and other related disabilities (DD). This program will provide training to long term, medium term and short-term UConn and community trainees to develop, enhance and deliver coordinated care across CT state and local service delivery systems for those with ASD/DD, and their families.
Goals: Goal 1: To provide didactic, clinical, research, advocacy and community-based learning opportunities to interdisciplinary graduate students and community participants about children, youth, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), other related disabilities (DD). Goal 2: To increase the capacity of practicing health, education and social service professionals, families, and self-advocates to improve national, state and local service delivery systems for children, youth and adults with ASD/DD, and their families. Goal 3: To develop and disseminate materials, tools, and resources about research findings, evidenced based practices, and policies for infants, children, youth, and adults with ASD/DD. Goal 4: To improve the effectiveness of LEND programs and outcomes for trainees across the country through collaborative meetings, activities, and trainings with other LEND programs.
Methodology: The LEND two semester seminar will be implemented with 12 graduate students and 2 community based trainees. In addition, all trainees enroll in a Public Health course on disability, a Special Education course on family centered practice, medical home modules, ASD life course and interventions, participate in clinical experiences, and implement home and community visits with families, conduct research projects, and complete a legislative advocacy project. Community trainings and technical assistance will be provided to agencies, organizations, professionals, families, and self-advocates throughout CT.
Coordination/collaboration: CT LEND will coordinate activities with State and National MCH initiatives through: 1) UConn Schools and Campuses; 2) CT State Departments including Public Health (Title V, CSHCN); 3) CT state, regional, and local service delivery agencies and programs that provide services to children, youth, adults with ASD/DD and their families; 4) National and state parent and self-advocate organizations; and 5) Other LEND Programs.
Evaluation: We will use formative evaluation strategies to monitor and measure program implementation and progress to make changes and improvements as needed over the 5 years of the program. Summative evaluation strategies will measure the program's impact on all participants, including measurement of competencies, pre/post knowledge tests, immediate and follow-up impact for all trainees, faculty impact, and community impact.
Keyword(s):
Adolescent Health, Mental/Behavioral Health – Autism, Child Maltreatment, Clinical Care, Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood – Developmental Health (including developmental screening), Early Childhood – General, Emergency Services for Children – Emergency Preparedness, Epilepsy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Health Care Transition, Health Equity, Health Insurance, Heritable Disorders (excluding sickle cell), Immunizations, Life Course Approach, Maternal Health – General, Medical Home, Mental/Behavioral Health – General , Early Childhood – Newborn Screening, Nutrition, Obesity, Oral Health, Preventive Services, Sickle Cell Disease, Social Determinants of Health, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs, Mental/Behavioral Health – Substance Use Disorder(s), Telehealth
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, 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, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State, Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
