About OSU LEND

LEND is a leadership education program funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

At The Ohio State University, LEND is a program of the Nisonger Center, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

LEND provides interdisciplinary, leadership training to long-term trainees (300+ hours) at the graduate and post-graduate levels. The primary objectives of the program are to develop high levels of clinical expertise, skills and competence, and leadership attributes that will lead to the improved health status of infants, children and adolescents with or at risk for neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families. The program focuses on advancing professionalism in the care of children with disabilities such as developmental delay, cognitive impairment, language and communication impairment, and impairments of attention and movement.

Currently, 34 LEND Programs in 29 states provide critically needed leadership and clinical training to professionals (National LEND Directory Listing). LEND is a member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a national network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice through research, education, leadership and service for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families and communities.

Values Which Form the Core of the LEND Program

• All individuals have a right to health. Systems that promote health should provide for universal access and accessibility, personal and family choice, and promotion of independence within the community.
• The family provides the foundation for the health of children, programs supporting the health of children need to support the health of the family and provide services that are family centered and family oriented.
• All supportive services should be integrated within the community. Individuals and families needing services should exercise control over funding, delivery, and quality of those services.
• We teach and practice a strengths approach to assessment and support.
• We believe in prevention and health promotion to manage crisis intervention.
• We embrace diversity throughout our community, in our classrooms, play, neighborhoods, and workplace.

Read about Herschel Nisonger