Leadership Education

The Vanderbilt LEND is federally funded by Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Grant No. T73MC00050, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A five-year grant was awarded in July 1999, renewed in 2004, and renewed again in June 2011 (through 2016).

The purpose of the Vanderbilt LEND is to reduce and prevent NDRD (neurodevelopmental disabilities and related disabilities) in children and to increase access to family-centered, community-based, culturally competent, interdisciplinary services.

The program focuses on preparing health professionals to assume leadership roles and develop interdisciplinary team skills, advanced clinical skills, and research skills, in order to meet the complex needs of children with NDRD.

The Vanderbilt LEND includes faculty from Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College, and the University of Tennessee, as well as affiliates from Family Voices of Tennessee.

The Vanderbilt LEND works closely with a variety of university, family and state agencies partners to provide workshops, conferences and distance education at the community, state, regional and national levels. One outstanding example is the collaboration between the Maternal and Child Health Office of the Tennessee Department of Health and Vanderbilt LEND. These two organizations jointly provide monthly distance training that is video-streamed to health department sites throughout Tennessee, with archiving for later viewing. Topics are based on needs of maternal and child populations, including those children with special health care conditions.

LEND Advisory Council

LEND Long Term Trainees – 2012