Project Description:
The purpose of CT LEND is to increase the capacity of the workforce trained to meet the complex needs of children and youth with autism/DD by enhancing the expertise and leadership skills of students, practicing professionals, individuals with disabilities, and families dedicated to working with and improving the system of care for this population. CT LEND will provide interdisciplinary graduate training to long (LTT), medium (MTT), and short term trainees (STT). LTTs represent disciplines including Audiology, Genetic Counseling, Nursing, Public Health, School Counseling, School Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, and Speech-Language Pathology. Each year a parent of a child with autism/DD and a self advocate with lived experience will also be LTTs. MTT and STT will be recruited from other disciplines as well as community members and practicing professionals. CT LEND includes academic, clinical, leadership, and community-based learning opportunities through which trainees develop and demonstrate competencies. The program has 4 goals: 1. Provide didactic, clinical, research, advocacy, and community-based learning opportunities to interdisciplinary graduate students and community participants about infants, children, youth, and adults with autism/DD; 2. 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 infants, children, youth, and adults with autism/DD; 3. Develop and disseminate materials, tools, and resources about research findings, evidence based practices, and policies for infants, children, youth, and adults with autism/DD; 4. Improve the effectiveness of LEND programs and trainees in CT and across the country through collaborative meetings, activities, training and evaluation of outcomes with other Autism CARES and LEND programs.
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 - 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
