Programs and Projects

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND)

The Colorado Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program provides long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training as well as interdisciplinary services and care. The purpose of the LEND training program is to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities. They accomplish this by preparing trainees from diverse professional disciplines to assume leadership roles in their respective fields and by insuring high levels of interdisciplinary clinical competence.

Major Goals:

  1. Prepare long-term trainees and fellows for interdisciplinary MCH leadership roles, and increase related knowledge and skills of medium-/short-term trainees.
  2. Increase the capacity of practicing MCH professionals to strengthen ASD-ND services. 
  3. Contribute to the ASD-ND evidence base for best practices and treatments.

LEND Flyer

LEND Advisory Council

Funding Source:
This project is funded by the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Combating Autism Act, Award # 5T73MC11044-02-00, 9/1/08-8/31/11.

Contact Person:
Dina Johnson
Training Coordinator
JFK Partners
13121 E. 17th Ave., C234
Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-7673
dina.johnson@ucdenver.edu

Faculty and Staff:
Cordelia Robinson, PhD, RN, Principle Investigator
Harriet Austin, PhD, Family Discipline Director
Renee Charlifue-Smith, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathology Discipline Director
Sandy Gabbard, AuD, Audiology Discipline Director
Susan Hepburn, PhD, Psychology Discipline Director
Dina Johnson, BS, Training Coordinator
Susan Johnson, PhD, Nutrition Discipline Director
Kathy Kennedy, DrPH, Leadership Course Leader
Marilyn Krajicek, EdD, RN, Nursing Discipline Director
Patti LaVesser, PhD, OTR, Occupational Therapy Discipline Director
Mary Jane K. Rapport, PT, DPT, PT, Physical Therapy Discipline Director
Ann Reynolds, MD, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Discipline Director
Gerri Steinke, PhD, Evaluator
M. Kay Teel, PhD, Social Work Discipline Director
Vickie Thomson, AuD, CDPHE