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LEND FAQs

What is LEND?
LEND stands for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, and is essentially a leadership development program for people from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds in developmental disability. It is housed at the Center for Child Health and Development here at KU Medical Center. 

Our Kansas LEND is part of a national network of LENDs across the country. For more information, you can also view some informational videos from our national network, the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD).

How much time does LEND take?
The LEND traineeship varies in time commitment - trainees commit to short term (less than 40 hours), medium term (40-299 hours) or long term (300+ hours) of training. There is a stipend and tuition assistance for those accepted to the funded long term program. Our funded long term trainees are usually involved over the course of an academic year and enroll in a two semester course, and commit to 16-20 hours per week of training activities over the course of an academic year.

What do I do in LEND?
Your learning activities depend to some extent on your interest but broadly relate to developing in your understanding and application of evidence-based, culturally competent, and person- and family-centered approaches to supporting and partnering with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to improve quality of care and service systems. Long term trainees develop competencies with a focus on your own personal leadership development, understanding of clinical practices, research, understanding systems, and policy/advocacy. Short- and medium-term trainees typically focus on some of these elements but not all.

How do I apply?
Watch for application information available in the fall semester, applications reviewed beginning in December, applications taking place January-March, and applicants notified of acceptance by May. 

For information, view the Kansas LEND Trainee Handbook.

For those interested in applying for a short or medium traineeship please contact kansaslend@kumc.edu

School of Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center
Department of Pediatrics
Mail Stop 4004
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: 913-588-6338