What is the New Hampshire LEND Program?
The NH LEND Program is a collaborative effort of the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and the Institute on Disability, a University Center of Excellence in Disabilities (UCED), and the College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. The program provides interdisciplinary leadership training to those who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities or special health care needs and their families. Training experiences are individually designed to provide future leaders with both value-based and evidence-based training. Trainees will develop leadership skills to improve the health status of infants, children, and adolescents with or at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities or special health care needs, and to enhance the systems of care for these children and their families. Through partnerships with faculty, families, and community partners, trainees work to provide collaborative, culturally competent, family-centered, community-based interdisciplinary approaches to meet the needs of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Research and policy training will guide trainees’ understanding of public policy and health care practice for evidence-based, family-centered, and inclusive care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Interdisciplinary clinical training is provided within the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and community settings, as well as on the University of New Hampshire campus.
Over the course of an academic year, trainees participate in training activities to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that demonstrate competence in: prevention and treatment of neurodevelopmental disabilities, typical human development, consumer perspectives, family-centered practice, health policy, cultural competence, principles of system change, leadership development, community services, school and community inclusion, collaborative teamwork, and service coordination. Trainees also participate in the NH Family and Consumer Leadership Series alongside families and self-advocates for specific leadership training.
A Graduate Certificate for Leadership in Children’s Health and Disability is available to applicants who have successfully completed the program. Graduate and postgraduate credits are available to all trainees.
Traineeship stipends are available to qualified applicants who possess leadership potential, an interest in maternal and child health and neurodevelopmental disabilities, and strong academic or professional credentials in the fields of:
The NH LEND Program is supported by a grant (#T73 MC 00024) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
