The New Hampshire Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MCH-LEND)

The New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program focuses on developing educational excellence in: a) the most current knowledge regarding neurodevelopmental disabilities, b) the process of interdisciplinary collaboration and partnership, and c) strategies for continuous improvement of effective leadership.

Community fellows, and graduate students from the fields of pediatrics, nursing, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, health management and policy, psychology, audiology, nutrition, and education (early childhood, regular, and special education) participate in the New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program to develop an understanding of and competence in the following areas:

  • family-centered support
  • consumer perspectives, including self-determination
  • community-based care and support
  • health care reform
  • cultural competence
  • principles of systems change
  • school and community inclusion
  • interdisciplinary practice
  • collaborative problem solving and service coordination
  • leadership

The New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program is a collaborative project between the Dartmouth Center for Genetics and Child Development at Dartmouth Medical School, the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, and the School of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. The New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program supports interdisciplinary faculty and personnel to provide training at both the continuing education and graduate levels. Trainees and fellows participate in clinical experiences through the Dartmouth Center for Genetics and Child Development including the Child Development Program, the Intensive Care Nursery Follow-up Program, the Neurometabolic Program, and the Cystic Fibrous Program. Trainees and fellows also participate in clinical experiences through involvement with the Seacoast Child Development Clinic on the UNH-Durham campus. Trainees and fellows gain experience in working with an interdisciplinary team and supporting families to ensure their concerns and needs have been met through the evaluation process. Trainees also provide respite for families in exchange for the opportunity to learn about family life, educational issues, and supports and services for families.

Between July 1999 and May 2001, a total of 20 trainees and 1 post-doctoral fellow in psychology participated in the New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program. Trainees were from the disciplines of pediatrics, education, health management and policy, nursing, nutrition, psychology, speech language pathology, physical therapy, and social work. During Year 2 (2000-2001), a total of 252 short-term trainees participated in seminar for credit and/or attended topical seminars/workshops on issues related to serving families and children who experience neurodevelopmental disabilities. A total of 1,373 individuals participated in continuing education offerings presented by New Hampshire MCH-LEND Core and Affiliated Faculty Members. Technical assistance and consultation was provided to 653 individuals/organizations. Twenty manuscripts were published.

During the past two years, over 85 children were seen through the Seacoast Child Development Clinic, a New Hampshire MCH-LEND supported service. Greater collaboration with community providers including schools and the Department of Social Services has been noted. Community providers participated in 79% of the evaluations during the second year. A family support group was organized by one of the trainees around issues related to nonverbal learning disabilities. Four educational programs have been held for over 100 families and educators on the topics of positive behavioral supports, learning strategies, and psychiatric implications involving students who experience nonverbal learning disabilities.

Trainees provided over 600 hours of respite support to 10 different families. Collaboration with the UCED and the Title V program in Guam occurred during Year 2, including the development of a new course in early intervention, provision of clinical services, and technical assistance regarding systems change for services for children and adults with disabilities in Guam.

All trainees are involved in a research project. Trainees have participated in research examining the inclusion of children with the label of autism/pervasive development disorder in general education classrooms; gestural communication with children who experience Angelman Syndrome; a survey of parents of children with metabolic disorders regarding their satisfaction with their children's medical care; and outcome evaluation of the long-term family respite experiences as part of the New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program. Ongoing evaluation regarding clinical outcomes and evaluation of trainee competencies has been implemented this year in collaboration with the Center for Educational Outcomes at the C. Everett Koop Institute at Dartmouth Medical School.

Trainees have also been active participants in the NH Leadership Series. Innovative teaching methods continue to be developed as part of the New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program. Web-based support is provided for the weekly seminar through the Blackboard Project at UNH,. All presenters have been supported to take advantage of the multimedia options available, including the use of PowerPoint presentations, videos, and slides. Interested parties are welcome to attend these seminars!

Visit the New Hampshire MCH-LEND Program website

Click here for an application