Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (MI-LEND)
Project Description:
Nationally, there is a need for more highly qualified professionals who have knowledge and experience in the use of evidence-based practices to meet the complex needs of infants, children, and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities, including autism (ASD/DD). Michigan shares this need and also has a number of unique regional and local needs related to geographic, demographic, and economic factors. Major metropolitan areas of Michigan (e.g., Detroit and Flint), have culturally-diverse populations and profound concentrations of families living in poverty. Large regions of the state, particularly the Upper Peninsula and the northern half of the Lower Peninsula, are rural and sparsely populated, affording families limited access to needed diagnostic and treatment services. MI-LENDs purpose is to address the complex needs of those with ASD/DD by:
1. Increasing the number of graduate/doctoral/postdoctoral students, family members, and
individuals with disabilities prepared to address these needs;
2. Increasing the number of providers available to diagnose and treat these needs;
3. Enhancing the clinical expertise and leadership skills of practicing professionals to
address these needs; and
4. Ensuring integration of family-centered perspectives into every level of the program
including curriculum development, training, and program evaluation.
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services, Demonstration Services
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities
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, Geographic Areas
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
