Va-LEND Training Curriculum

Teamwork Course: The purpose of this course is to provide information and activities on models of teamwork, group decision-making, team processes, leadership and communication, and how they influence services for persons with disabilities and their families. A significant portion of content/discussion will focus on the roles and functions of various disciplines, including parents, as team members. (3 credit hours)

Leadership Seminar Series: The purpose of this course is to provide a forum for discussing, exploring, and developing a personal leadership development plan with particular emphasis on understanding the challenges of leadership in the area of neurodevelopmental disabilities. (2 credit hours)

Leadership Activities: Individualized leadership activities are developed for each trainee to provide experience in planned community and systems level policy activities. This experience provides opportunities to develop leadership skills and to begin to implement strategies developed in the leadership seminar series. (1 credit hour)

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Course: The purpose of this course is to provide an opportunity to study the interdisciplinary approach to services for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, with emphasis on pertinent legislation and sources of community support. (3 credit hours)

Clinical and Community Practicum: The practicum provides an interdisciplinary team-based experience to give trainees an opportunity to function both as team members and leaders in addressing the needs of children with disabilities or other health care needs within the framework of family-centered, comprehensive and coordinated care. Sites are provided at MCV/VCU, Children's Hospital, infant programs, schools, community-based child development clinics, and human service programs. (3 credit hours)

Family Mentorship Experience: In the family mentorship experience each student maintains regular contact throughout the year with a family who has a child with special needs. Through home visits, shared activities and telephone contacts, the family will mentor the student about the realities of rearing a child with a disability.

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