Iowa's Leadership
Education in Neurodevelopmental
and Related Disabilities Project
A Distinctive Graduate Level Training Opportunity
ILEND is an interdisciplinary leadership training program for graduate students with a commitment to providing family-centered, coordinated systems of health care and related services for children with special health care needs and their families. Training opportunities are provided in an interdisciplinary clinical environment, the classroom, the community, and in the homes of families who have children with disabilities. The ILEND program is funded through a grant from the Maternal Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration. For more information about the national LEND network, go to the Association of University Centers on Disabilities website at www.aucd.org.
Opportunities
-Parents as Mentors
-Clinical Work and Observations
-Experience Working in an Interdisciplinary Environment
-Twice weekly Seminars: 7U:190 Interdisciplinary Issues in Disabilities
-Cultural Competence
-Administrative Development
About the Program
Annual funding is provided for interdisciplinary leadership training to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows pursuing degrees in the following disciplines: audiology, healthcare administration, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, pediatric medicine, physical therapy, psychology, social work, speech-language pathology, and public health.
Trainees receive a stipend and support for additional training activities and travel.
"The ILEND program has provided me with exposure to clinical practice, development of legislation, family life, and community awareness." ILEND Trainee
Discipline-Specific Training
Discipline-specific training fosters the development of knowledge and skills related to the trainee's academic discipline. At the Center for Disabilities and Development, the trainee receives direct supervision and mentoring from the ILEND training director for their discipline, with additional instruction and feedback from other ILEND faculty and staff. These efforts are coordinated with the trainee's home department to ensure the completion of academic requirements. Trainees receive additional opportunities for observation, participation, and practice in community-based programs and other settings.
Parents as Mentors
A key feature of the ILEND program is the Parents as Mentors (PAM) experience, which matches each trainee with a family who has a child with special needs. Trainees gain insight into family life and family perspectives as they spend time with them in their homes and communities.
"The ILEND program has increased my awareness of other healthcare disciplines, which will enhance my future clinical practice. I have become more aware of the issues faced by families and children with special needs." ILEND Trainee
Interdisciplinary Leadership Education
Interdisciplinary Leadership Education builds awareness, knowledge, and skills in such areas as leadership, family-centered care, cultural competence, administration, community services and supports, policy, systems improvement, and advocacy. ILEND requires a minimum commitment of 300 hours over one or two semesters, including at least 150 hours of clinical work.
Students from under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
To download a PDF of the ILEND or the PAM brochures please click on the links below.
For more information, and/or application materials, please contact:
Sue Pearson
ILEND Training Coordinator
s-pearson@uiowa.edu
319-356-1172
This website was partially supported
by
the Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health.
