Maternal and Child Health in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Trainee Opportunities

Jamie A. Riddell

Jamie Riddell

2024 Alumni, WVU College of Law

“I’m really grateful for this program, and I feel like because of the information that I’ve been so fortunate to have learned through LEND I’ll be able to best serve anyone with a disability, or who doesn’t have a disability, as I move forward in practicing as an attorney upon completion of my program at the WVU College of Law.”

Become a LEADER in Your Field – Apply to be a WV LEND trainee

WV LEND prepares students, self-advocates, community members and families to be leaders in disability education, research, advocacy and policy related to autism and neuro-developmental disabilities. The work is centered on the unique issues of individuals who live in West Virginia and other rural areas in Appalachia.

Trainee opportunities:

  1. Long-term LEND trainees
    1. Required to complete 300+ hours with opportunity for pay
    2. Must complete application and interview process
    3. Completion of required training activities and self-directed activities
  2. Medium-term trainees
    1. Must complete 40-299 hours of training
    2. Opportunity for Foundations of Disability Badge Micro-credential

If you are interested in learning more about medium-term trainee options, contact Dr. Tori Gilbert at tori.gilbert@hsc.wvu.edu.

Who can be a long-term LEND trainee?

  1. Graduate students who demonstrate a desire to increase their leadership and advocacy skills in the field of disabilities in West Virginia and other rural Appalachian areas.
  2. Self-advocates that want to share their experiences to educate others and grow their advocacy. This includes individuals who have lived experience with autism or other neuro-developmental disabilities.
  3. Family members and caregivers of individuals with disabilities who want to share their experiences to teach others and become better advocates.
  4. Community members who want to increase their knowledge, service and advocacy skills to better support individuals with disabilities in their community.

Why become a long-term LEND trainee?

  1. Develop your leadership and advocacy skills
  2. Be a member of a multi-disciplinary team
  3. Create your own Individualized Training Plan
  4. Collaborate with professionals, families, community members and self-advocates
  5. Participate in research
  6. Contribute to a West Virginia that recognizes the strengths of all individuals

Quicklinks

WV LEND Training Coordinator
E-mail: LEND@hsc.wvu.edu
Phone: 304-293-4692
Fax: 888-510-3125

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.