Funded Projects

Problem:

Connecticut (CT) has documented needs for interdisciplinary leadership education at both the graduate education, and state and community level to improve health care systems for those with neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities, including autism.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: To provide coursework, practica and research experiences to interdisciplinary graduate students and community participants. Obj. 1.1: To coordinate a faculty leadership team of 9 interdisciplinary core discipline coordinators (including a parent coordinator). Obj. 1.2: To recruit and enroll a minimum of 9 graduate students and 3 community participants as (LTT). Obj. 1.3: To implement the LEND curriculum. Obj. 1.4: To implement interdisciplinary practicum Obj. 1.5: To recruit and enroll graduate students from the core disciplines, and others as MTT and STT. Obj. 1.6: To develop or enhance an array of STT and MTT learning opportunities for medical students and pediatric residents at the UCONN School of Medicine. Goal 2: To advance the knowledge and skills of the full range of practicing health professionals, including families and PWS to improve community health care delivery systems. Obj. 2.1: To implement community trainings on. Obj. 2.2: To provide training to family members and PWD, including youth, on leadership and teaching skills and assign them as coinstructors in the LEND program. Obj. 2.3: To collaborate on local, state and federal initiatives. Goal 3: To impact the care of infants, children and youth with complex neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities including autism. 3.1: To develop and disseminate materials that enhance the learning of all LEND trainees. 3.2: To maintain a website that has information, research and informational resources about LEND. 3.3: To publish articles related to LEND and related activities in peer reviewed journals. 3.4: To evaluate all LEND activities

Methodology:

We will provide 12 LTT interdisciplinary coursework, practica and research training. We will provide ST and MTT to graduate students in 14 disciplines at Uconn and other Universities in CT. We will also provide community trainings and provide technical assistance to agencies, organizations and professionals throughout the state. We have key staff, 8 core faculty discipline coordinators, 7 affiliate faculty and additional professional, family and communityfaculty to implement the LEND.

Coordination:

CT LEND will coordinate activities with State and National MCH initiatives, CT Dept of Public Health (Title V), Developmental Services, and Education; across University of Connecticut Schools and campuses; Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Yale University; Hospital for Special Care; Capitol Region Educational Center; Family Voices; CT Path; the CT AAP; state leadership programs for PWD and their families( Partners and Policy Making Training) and youth with disabilities( Kids are Self Advocates): and local school districts and agencies who provide services to infants, children and youth with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. We will also partner with 2 regional UCEDDs: Rhode Island's Sherlock Center and Umass Boston, ICI

Evaluation:

We will use rigorous formative and summative evaluation strategies to measure the project's impact on all participants. These will include the measurement of immediate outcomes and follow-up impact for all participants.