Children's National received a five-year, $3.5 million competitive funding renewal from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for its Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND-CN) program.

What it means

The program prepares future leaders to improve the health and well-being of children and youth with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, and the well-being of their families. LEND-CN brings together emerging professionals from 14 disciplines, family members and self-advocates, with a goal to develop leaders who can deliver coordinated care, strengthen access to services and strengthen support systems.

Training combines faculty mentorship, clinical and community experiences, leadership education, policy and advocacy activities, and collaborative projects. Family members and people with disabilities participate as both trainees and faculty to embed lived experience directly into learning.

LEND-CN co-directors Mark L. Batshaw, MD, a developmental pediatrician, and Anne P. Inge, PhD, a clinical psychologist, note that, "By investing in the people who provide care and including those who receive it as partners in leadership development the award supports a stronger workforce and builds more responsive services for children and their families".

Why it matters

Families navigating life with a child or adolescent who has developmental disabilities often need services that span healthcare, education and community settings. Shortages of trained professionals and fragmented referral pathways can make that care difficult to obtain.

LEND-CN addresses these challenges, teaching participants to work across disciplines and partner with families to identify needs and develop solutions.

What's next

The renewal expands on the program's demonstrated workforce contributions. According to alumni follow-up findings, 88% of LEND-CN alumni continue to work with people with autism or other developmental disabilities. In addition, 69% supervise, educate or train others and 38% report developing new programs or services.

For the next five years, LEND-CN will continue preparing interdisciplinary leaders while also providing continuing education and technical assistance to professionals, educators and community partners. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, family- and person-centered care and improving access for underserved communities.

Children's National leads the way

Children's National leads the program in partnership with Howard University, the University of the District of Columbia, George Washington University, Gallaudet University and The Catholic University of America. The program's collaborations connect expertise across disciplines and strengthen workforce development across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.