South Carolina LEND (SC LEND)
Grant Status: Completed
Training Category: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND)
Project Director(s):
Michele M. Macias, MD
135 Rutledge Ave
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC 29425-0567
Phone: (843) 876-1516
Email: maciasm@musc.edu
Problem:
Severe disparities exist in South Carolina for youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities (ND) and their families.
Goals and Objectives:
Goal 1: Create a state-wide leadership training program through a collaborative effort by the state's 3 main children's hospitals. Objective 1: Recruit and train 10 ethnically diverse long term trainees per year, and provide them with the skills needed to assess and treatment ASD-ND; and improve the skills of 300 additional trainees. Goal 2: Provide continuing education and technical assistance in ASD-ND across SC. Objective 1: Offer 1 year-long course on ASD-ND and targeting MCHB leadership competencies. Objective 2: Sponsor 2 live CE events and 1 on-line CE event per year. Objective 3: Sponsor 6 learning events per year targeting rural hospitals and clincs. Goal 3: Disseminate information to consumers. Objective 1: Develop and support a website to provide information regarding ASD-ND in SC. Goal 4: Improve competency in ASD. Objective 1: Provide didactic instruction and clinical experience needed to allow trainees to evaluate and treat ASD, including training in gold standard assessment tools. Goal 5: Evaluate and strengthen the effectiveness of SC LEND. Objective 1: Engage an independent evaluator to review the success of SC LEND, and make on-going changes to better meet the goals of the program.
Methodology:
Ten multidisciplinary Long Term Trainees complete core training in leadership, research, and ASD-ND through a universal curriculum. Trainees receive intensive training in assessment, treatment, and research at one of 3 Children's Hospitals in SC. Other short- and medium- term trainees also participate in selected coursework, CE programs (live, synchronous online, and asynchronous) and clinical/research training.
Coordination:
SC LEND involves the coordinated effort between the 3 major Children's Hospitals in the state and (a) ADDM; (b) South Carolina Autism Society; (c) BabyNet (Part C); (d) ChildFind/Office of Exceptional Children (Part B); (e) UCEDD; (f) DHEC (State Title V Agency); (g) SCDHHS/SCDDSN.
Evaluation:
SC LEND will undergo ongoing internal evaluation through specified data collection methods, as well as external evaluation by an external consultant.