Oral

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) has a long history of working to improve the health of children who have neurodevelopmental disabilities by preparing trainees from a wide variety of professional disciplines to assume leadership roles and to ensure high levels of clinical competence. In 1960, the Children's Bureau, which later became the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, began providing grants to institutions of higher learning to train interdisciplinary teams to serve children with intellectual disabilities. In 2008, the Combating Autism Act provided funding to LEND programs to allow them to develop an emphasis on autism. LEND program objectives include the following: (1) advancing the knowledge and skills of the full range of child health professionals to improve health care delivery systems for children with developmental disabilities; (2) providing high-quality education training for health professionals; (3) providing a wide range of health professionals with the skills needed to foster a community-based partnership of health resources and community leadership; and (4) promoting innovative practice models that enhance cultural competency, partnerships between disciplines, and family-centered approaches to care. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the history of LEND and its role in improving health outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, with special attention given to the relationship between LEND and the state Title V programs. Healthcare providers will learn about the effectiveness of multidisciplinary training programs and innovative practice models. Participants will also learn about options for collaborating with local LEND programs.

Session Objectives: 1)Identify sites with programs designed to improve the health outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. 2)Discuss effective multidisciplinary training programs and innovative practice models. 3)Identify options for collaborating with local LEND programs.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)