Leadership Training
VT LEND is a competency based Maternal Child Health program aimed at interprofessional leadership training. The five competencies are:
- cultural competence,
- family-centered care,
- interprofessional collaborative teaming,
- neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism,
- leadership.
With guidance from faculty, each trainee and fellow develops a long term leadership goal and a plan for achieving it.
Trainees and Fellows take 2 graduate level, 3 credit courses. They also participate in a yearlong legislative, policy and advocacy training, learning about state-wide and national issues related to individuals with disabilities and their families.
Trainees and Fellows participate in monthly Leadership Discussions covering a broad range of topics from specific clinical issues, family centered care and cultural competence, issues of access and underserved populations, poverty, to policy and leadership challenges. Trainees and fellows also participate in weekly mentorship meetings with a faculty where mentorship and discussion on leadership are fostered.
VT LEND's role in the LEND network
VT LEND is one of 52 LEND Programs in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities programs provide long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training to health professionals. VT LEND is partnered with other LEND programs in the Northeast LEND network.
For more information on LEND programs, visit the Association of University Centers on Disabilties LEND page.