Westchester Institute for Human Development Graduates New Class from LEND program

VALHALLA, NY (May 16, 2017) –Twenty six trainees graduated from Westchester Institute for Human Development’s LEND program this past week, adding to the growing number of individuals educated with the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to work with and on behalf of children with disabilities and their families.

LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) is an interdisciplinary leadership training program, funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the federal government at 52 universities around the country. The program at WIHD is a 320 hour two-semester course. Trainees include graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from health and education disciplines, self-advocates, and family members of children and adults with disabilities.

“This program is preparing current and future professionals to become leaders in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities” said Susan W. Fox, PhD, President and CEO, Westchester Institute for Human Development. “Participants had various levels of hands on and life experience which only enhanced the knowledge they gained from one another. We are very proud to be one of fifty-two federally funded LEND Programs in the country.”

Many trainees complete the LEND program as a component of full-time graduate training at an affiliated university. Trainees from many disciplines participate: advocacy; audiology; psychology; pediatric dentistry; family specialist (parent or sibling of a person with a disability); genetic counseling; health advocacy; health administration; law; medicine; nursing; nutrition; occupational therapy; public health; pediatrics (general); physical therapy; self-advocates; social work; special education; and speech language pathology.

Back row (left to right) Khadija Bleasdell, Carla Perkins, Jaime Marrus, Jeannie Hampton-Risucci, Juan Trinidad, Kimberly Trapasso, Marianne Vivien, Jacqueline Faison, Amanda Apa, Carol Hughes, Amanda Sapanara, Caitlin Huber, Barbara Cheuvront, Sandra King, MegAnn McGinnis, Surbhi Arora Front row (left to right) Emely Perez-Ramirez, Alison Riith, Shreya Malhotra, Patricia Valcourt, Ashley Rivera, Katherine Dao, Sandy Mislow, Kenny Burr Not pictured Laurel Donaldson, Jennifer Sparano

Westchester Institute for Human Development

The Westchester Institute for Human Development is one of 67 university-affiliated centers dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through education, service, and research. The Institute works to advance policies and practices that ensure the health and self-determination among people of all ages with developmental disabilities, and the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.

For over 40 years, WIHD has been a key regional resource supporting children and adults with disabilities including autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, neurological and cognitive disabilities, hearing and vision problems, and speech/language delays. WIHD’s services, which often follow a person throughout his or her lifespan, include comprehensive dental and adult medical care programs, service coordination and planning, education and support services.

WIHD operates a comprehensive outpatient health center that offers medical, dental, speech and hearing, and behavioral services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Adult Health Clinic aims to be a medical home for adults with disabilities providing routine medical and dental exams; annual physicals; immunizations; preventive services as well as offering an extensive list of Specialty Care services. These include Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Dental Services, Dermatology, Endocrinology, ENT, Gynecology, Health Education, Metabolic Services, Neurology, Nutrition, Podiatry, Physiatry, Psychiatry, Psychology, Urology and Vision Care.

For more information, go to www.wihd.org.

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