This Riley Child Development / LEND Training Program's goal is to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities by preparing trainees from diverse professional disciplines to function at a high level of interdisciplinary clinical competence and to be ready to assume leadership roles in their respective fields. The LEND program provides interdisciplinary training, has faculty and trainees in a wide range of disciplines, and includes parents or family members as paid program participants.
Through the Combating Autism Act, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) currently fund 43 LEND Programs in 37 states. Together, these LEND Programs form a national network that shares information and resources, works together to address national issues of importance to children with special health care needs and their families, exchanges best practices and develops shared products. LEND Programs also come together regionally to address specific issues and concerns.
Trainees, in partnership with their supervisor, develop an individualized training plan with goals related to: clinical services (assessment, diagnosis, and intervention), advocacy and public policy, research methods, and use of technology. Trainees attend leadership didactic sessions topics such as typical and atypical child development and complete and present a leadership or research project.
All LEND programs have annual reporting requirements through the Maternal Child Health Bureau.
* Please note: Information contained in this database is self-reported by representatives from each program. It does not represent an exhaustive list of education and training programs and inclusion does not constitute an endorsement from the PCPCC.