We have answered commonly asked questions below. If you have additional questions, please reach out to our team by sending an email to LEND@hsc.wvu.edu.
WV LEND is part of a national network of 60 LEND programs across the United States. WV LEND has been housed at the WVU CED for over 20 years. The program is federally funded through the CARES Act. WV LEND trainee cohorts are made up of graduate/doctoral students, family members of individuals with disabilities, self-advocates and community members/providers. Each year WV LEND includes about 20 trainees.
LEND is a training program where selected long-term trainees are paid to learn. Each trainee is assigned to a mentor. Trainees work with their mentors to develop their own Individual Training Program. Based on their individual goals, trainees participate in a wide range of learning activities including Leadership Seminars, clinical experiences, Lived Experience Series, research opportunities and interprofessional education.
No, the Qualtrics application is all we need. Our team will select applicants to move on to the interview round of the admission process based on the content of submitted applications. If you are selected to move forward, our team will reach out to you via email to schedule an interview.
WV LEND applications open each year on February 1. Interviews are held in early May for those applicants chosen to move forward. New trainees will most often be informed of their acceptance into the program by May 30.
Yes, the hour commitment for long-term WV LEND trainees is 300 hours across a full academic year. Trainees need to dedicate about 8 hours per week to the program, based on two 16-week semesters. Some trainees do more hours over breaks and during holidays, so they have less to do when they get busier at other times. The majority of WV LEND activities are made to be completed online at your own pace. For live activities, recordings are posted online so trainees can watch later.
Yes, LEND is designed to be a hybrid program. Some of our trainees are located outside of Morgantown, attend other universities, or live in other cities. If possible, we ask trainees to attend orientation and graduation in-person at the WVU CED in Morgantown.
Only trainees who apply and are selected through the application process are considered paid long-term trainees. These paid long-term trainees are contracted for 300 hours through WVU and are paid on the University payment schedule. Payment total is $10,000. Trainee payment is managed by WVU CED Accounting, WVU Shared Services and WVU Talent and Culture.
Any student can be a WV LEND trainee but would not receive financial support through LEND.
Sometimes a student can hold more than one position. Please contact the WV LEND program to discuss your situation.
Some individuals are not eligible for payment through WV LEND because of citizen status or because they hold another position through WVU. However, the benefits of the program are still valuable. LEND trainees are part of a national leadership network that builds a community of many different professionals, supports, and learning opportunities.
Outside of a 300-hour commitment, there are opportunities for short-term and medium-term trainees. All WV LEND trainees, paid and unpaid, have the opportunity to earn the Disability Identity Badge accredited through the WVU Office of the Provost. All trainees can also receive mentorship from WV LEND mentors and participate in all program activities including Leadership Seminar, Lived Experience Series, Feeding and Swallowing Clinic, advocacy activities and research opportunities.
Requirements from our federal funding require long-term paid trainees to hold U.S. citizenship. Individuals who are not U.S. citizens can be unpaid LEND trainees.
Yes, trainees are active participants in the clinic. Feeding and Swallowing Clinic is held on most Thursdays. All LEND mentors join trainees for chart review, feeding assessment, family wrap-up, and post-staffing. Chart review begins at 9:00 a.m., with the clinic following from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Trainees may attend the clinic in person or participate remotely via telehealth. Trainees can attend partial clinics based on their individual schedule needs. Due to privacy and confidentiality standards, the Feeding and Swallowing Clinic cannot be recorded and posted online for later review. Trainees can review recorded clinics in person at the CED during normal working hours.
