Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Related Disabilities (LEND) is a special training program funded by the federal Maternal & Child Health Bureau of the Department of Health & Human Services (MCHB/DHHS) to prepare family members of children with developmental disabilities, self-advocates (individuals with developmental disability), professionals, and graduate students for leadership and advanced professional practice in order to improve the lives of children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families. There are 60 LEND programs across the country.
Wisconsin LEND (WI LEND) offers interdisciplinary and leadership training to over 30 trainees a year across over a dozen disciplines, including audiology, disability advocacy (person with a developmental disability), family, genetic counseling, human development and family studies, medicine, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, public health, social work, special education, and speech/language pathology. By bringing together trainees from a wide range of disciplines, WI LEND helps family and disability advocacy leaders, practicing professionals, and emerging professionals learn to work collaboratively to change systems of care for the better.