Funded Projects

Problem:

This project prepares individuals for leadership roles to improve the health and developmental outcomes of infants, children and youth who have or are at risk of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. There is a national recognition of the shortage of trained personnel to address these needs.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: Provide interdisciplinary leadership education for a wide-range of trainees including didactic, community, clinical, research, and policy experiences. Objective 1: Provide a range of didactic experiences including 2 semester-long courses (accredited at 6 area universities), 8 (2-10 hr) seminar series (life course, public health, cultural competency, evidence-based research, management, policy, ASD, technology), leadership series, and Issues in DD series. Objective 2: Provide clinical and research experiences at Children's Hospital Boston and in neighborhood health centers. Also offer a monthly clinical issues seminars series. Objective 3: Provide community experiences where students visit the homes of families, Title V programs, and develop on-going relationship and project with a community-based organization. Goal 2: Provide Technical Assistance to Title V and other MCHB-related program such as community-based organizations, schools, and professional groups Objective 1: Provide TA to Title V programs in MA including service function in the MasStart program (developing individual health plans school-aged children) and service on Advisory Committees (eg Early Intervention Higher Education Committee). Objective 2: Provide TA and work with Title V or MCH-related programs in the development of training materials. Objective 3: Provide TA to regional and national Title V efforts (eg National Center for Ease of Use of Community Based Services). Goal 3: Provide continuing education to MCH community and the professional working in the field. Objective 1: Provide training opportunities to school nurses throughout MA Objective 2: Provide university courses to students going into clinical or professional roles in the MCH field. Objective 3: Continue to develop and provide distance education opportunities for professional and students in MCH fields of study. Goal 4: Develop and disseminate education resources Objective 1: Continue to develop professional resources through the submission of peer-reviewed manuscripts, chapters, and professional briefs. Objective 2: Continue to develop information for the public on timely MCH-realated issues and concerns. Objective 3: Continue to develop web-based resources. Goal 5: Conduct research on neurodevelopmental and related developmental disabilities Objective 1: Faculty and trainees will work on research projects as students develop knowledge on current research, evidence-based research strategies, and be able to conduct their own research projects. Objective 2: Provide opportunities for trainees to work on on-going research projects, for example in the Down Syndrome Program, ASD research efforts, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities projects. Objective 3: Develop new research opportunities for LEND students and faculty, for example in the CHB Dental clinics or with ICI/UCEDD faculty. Activities/

Methodology:

In order to attain goals and objectives of the project long-term leadership trainees will participate in two semester-long courses, 8 seminar series on topics designed around MCH leadership competencies, and a Leadership Seminar series along with various additional workshops/seminars during the year. Trainees all visit the homes of families, Title V programs, and community-based organizations serving culturally diverse populations. Research opportunities are made available to all trainees. Trainees all present at teaching forums for colleagues and faculty. The development of cultural competencies, a working knowledge of medical home and life course philosophy along with family-centered service systems is the focus of the training and the trainees experiences. Trainees are selected for their leadership potential and are drawn from culturally diverse populations.

Coordination:

LEND faculty and trainees work with MA Department of Public Health programs (Title V), local neighborhood health centers and community-based organizations. These organizations provide training opportunities, as well as teaching and research partnerships with our program. In addition local universities, the MA developmental disabilities network of programs and other MCH-funded programs provide on-going collaboration and partnership throughout the program period.

Evaluation:

Trainee progress is monitored by project faculty, mentors and discipline directors. Progress in evaluated via interviews, survey and observational data with semi-annual reports given to faculty and program advisory committee. Annual review of all goals/objectives provide opportunities for adjustments as needed.