Funded Projects

Problem:

To improve the health of mothers/infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD). This project will help in building an infrastructure of care through interdisciplinary.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: Recruit trainees from culturally diverse/rural setting backgrounds who represent populations and settings in which there are health disparities for children with NDD and special healthcare. Objective 1: Recruit two long term stipend paid trainee each year from culturally diverse background. Objective 2: Recruit two long term stipend paid trainee each year from rural settings. Goal 2: Train 23 advanced students representing core disciplines through an interdisciplinary curriculum in leadership skills necessary to impact systems that serve families, with children. Objective 1: Train 15 long term MCH-funded graduate/post-graduate students per year from core disciplines in leadership skills in neurodevelopmental disabilities. Objective 2: Train 8 long term MCH-funded graduate/post-graduate students per year from core disciplines in leadership skills in neurodevelopmental disabilities. Goal 3: Provide outreach training/Technical assistance in need areas to providers of services. Objective 1: Collaborate with Title V CYSHCN to impact systems of care in rural areas. Objective 2: Facilitate and participate in two collaborative conferences per year (one autism). Goal 4: Provide services to underserved populations who have NDD including autism. Objective 1: Increase the percentage of underserved popluations who are served. Objective 2: Increase the access of services to rural, underserved areas. Objective 3: Goal 5: Provide scientific information related to NDD consumers. Objective 1: Publish five book chapters and articles per year. Objective 2: Present to professionals at 20 conferences per year.

Methodology:

The project methodology will involve faculty supporting advanced graduate and postgraduate trainees through a curriculum related to NDD including autism which integrates didactic training and practicum experience in leadership skills. Leadership skills included poblem solving and conflict resolution through leading an interdisciplinary team, case management for racial/ethnically diverse consumers, consumer and system advocacy, research/program evaluation, and interagency coordinator and collaboration. Community providers such as Title V CSHCN professionals are offered outreach leadership training and expertise in areas consistent with their Healthy People 2010 action plans.

Coordination:

Our activities are well coordinated with Title V CSHCN agencies and meet many of their goals and objectives for Healthy People 2010. We also have coordinated with state agencies such as Social and Rehabilitative Services to impact the lives of CSHCN another NDD including autism and their families.

Evaluation:

The project will be evaluated by how we have impacted systems of care by placing our trainees in critical leadership positions and providing a health care climate that is culturally competent and family-centered through our outreach training and conferences.