Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (Va-LEND) Jayne Shepherd, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Occupational Therapy Jshepherd@vcu.edu
Whom do we train? Audiology Dev. Pediatrics Family Genetic Counseling Health Administration Nursing Nutrition Occupational Therapy Pediatric Dentistry Physical Therapy Psychology Public Health Social Work Special Education Speech & Language Pathology etc
Applicants for Becoming a Trainee: Currently enrolled in a graduate program or have earned a graduate degree Demonstrate leadership potential Have career goals to practice in the field of childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities OT: Post professional masters and some local OTD Post-graduates PT: DPT students (entry level and transitional) Post-graduates
Va-LEND Curriculum 12-24 month program Courses (12 graduate credits): Interdisciplinary Teamwork Course Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Course Leadership Seminars Leadership Project Clinical and Community Practicum includes a family mentorship experience
Va-LEND: Providing Services without Walls \\
Va-LEND Experiences in the Community Develop an individualized plan Interdisciplinary experiences Clinical rotations LEND classes Special projects
Options for Clinical Experiences Va-LEND Interdisciplinary Clinics Autism clinic Specialty clinics at VCU & Children s Hospital Rotations with LEND faculty Other community experiences early intervention, schools, etc. Rotate through one genetics clinic
Interdisciplinary Clinics: Hospital and Community Based Autism Clinic (Hospital Based, Outpatient with Virginia Treatment Center for Children) Screening Team meet to give future suggestions Occasional follow up where teacher goes to the day care center or school with the family.
Interdisciplinary Clinics: Public Health Center Referral from physician; access to medical records Often LSES, immigrants, family illness or instability or question if other services are needed Works with parents and social worker Visits home, school, day care Referrals to other agencies Co-facilitate the evaluation (trainee and faculty member)
Human Services Agency: St Joseph s Villa Special, alternative and non-traditional education (6 wks-hs); Residential on-campus living and education for homeless children and their mothers; Day and respite care services for children with disabilities; Residential emergency shelter and education for children in crisis.
Interdisciplinary Clinics Trainee and faculty member are paired together Interview parent, SJV staff, other community members, and the child if appropriate. Observe and evaluate the child Discussion with parents Discussion with team about supports
Family Mentorship Goals: 1. Sensitive to how families live with a disability to consider routine when suggesting interventions. 2. Appreciate family strengths and recognize the family as the expert in their child to promote parentprofessional partnerships
Family Mentorship Continued 3. Recognize similarities to families who do not have a child with a disability. 4. Appreciate the variety in families 5. To develop leadership in promoting systems change among professional peers regarding family centered care.
Family Mentorship Commitment 1. Family Mentorship Orientation 2. Picnic for trainees and families 3. Five face to face vists with mentoring family 4. One phone conversation a month 5. Journal to record your observations and reflections OR attendance at a journal discussion with faculty mentor
FME Commitment 6. FME training session on chronic illness/death/grieving 7. Two group FME meetings 8. Participation in Blackboard Discussions 9. Written evaluation of FME 10.End of Year Picnic with mentoring families
OTHER Orientation Items Defined roles for family and trainee Checklist for first visit/call Confidentiality in the FME Background information to match families and trainees Person First Language Evaluation Notes for Success: email, busy, ongoing support Contact logs
Current Collaborative Projects A Model for Integrating Research Knowledge and Skills (MIRKS): Focusing on Health Disparities in Children with Special Health Care Needs Continuing Education Collaborative Office Rounds (CECOR) SYNERGY: Genetic Counseling & Va-LEND Working Together
Synergy Grant in Genetic Counseling The project will: Support genetic counselor training in leadership and disabilities Enhance multicultural recruitment to LEND training Disseminate learning modules in genetic awareness, family history and newborn screening Provide a focus of enhancing the genetic component of LEND nationally
Grand Rounds Article written: Oswald, D.P., Bodurtha, J.N., Willis, J.H., & Moore, M.B. (2007). Underinsurance and key health outcomes for children with special health care needs. Pediatrics. 119(2), e341-e347. (2005 using the CSHCN national database) Va-LEND downlink site for Interdisciplinary Leadership Training in Overweight Prevention and Intervention for Children with Special Health Care Needs videoconference wth UT, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities
Va-LEND Questions? Jshepherd@vcu.edu http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/index.html