MCH LEND
“LEND has taught me so much about disabilities in general. The biggest takeaway I have for this is viewing my future career from a different lens and being able to adequately meet the needs of my future patients.”
Mary Ossman, Nutrition and Dietetics MSDI student.
The West Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (WV LEND) program provides opportunities for students, family members, individuals with disabilities and community members to apply new learning and life experiences to develop leadership skills. Training opportunities focus on disability education, research, advocacy and policy related to autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities in West Virginia and surrounding rural areas.
Our mission
The mission of WV LEND is to prepare students, self-advocates, community members and families to be leaders in disability education, research, advocacy and policy while providing an environment in which all learners are welcomed, have an equal and fair opportunity to learn, and have a voice that is heard and respected.
Our goals
- Recruit dedicated students and advocates with varied experiences to support children, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families.
- Provide mentorship and education to learners as they work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams.
- Develop leaders committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities in West Virginia, Appalachia and other rural areas.
- Promote systems change through shared decision making and respect for those we serve, resulting in responsive, integrative community practices.
Out of the classroom and into practice
WV LEND mentors provide trainees a safe space to develop and refine skills through hands-on clinical experiences, research and individualized learning projects.
Teaching and learning from those we serve
Individuals with disabilities, family members, caregivers and community members share their lived experiences with the program. This provides a real-life perspective that helps trainees cultivate patient and family-centered practices.
The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal and Child Health Bureau.