University of New Mexico

Problem:

New Mexico is one of the poorest states on indicators of child well-being. In addition to being a border state, there are additional strains on health care systems. The bordering states of Colorado, Texas, Arizona, do not have a LEND Program as does New Mexico.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: The NM LEND program will educate some of the next generation of MCH leaders who can address the needs of children with disabilities and their families. Objective 1: Annually select a class of at least eight long-term trainees from the core disciplines some of who are from underrepresented populations. Objective 2: Annually educate at least eight long-term leadership trainees through an interdisciplinary, competency-based leadership curriculum. Objective 3: Annually educate at least fifteen short-term trainees meeting their individual needs and stages of professional development. Goal 2: NM LEND Faculty serve as a state, regional and national educational resource for health and related care providers in the MCH community by providing continuing education opportunities. Objective 1: Collaborate with other MCH leadership programs and the State Title V to develop a plan for offering a minimum of five continuing education seminars to meet Title V needs over the five-year period. Objective 2: Respond to five continuing education requests from local, state and national organizations annually. Goal 3: Provide technical assistance and consultation to Title V; national, state, and local partners to improve community-based services and supports for children with disabilities and their families. Objective 1: Provide technical assistance/consultation to a minimum of fifty individual and/or organizational recipients yearly to local, state, and national Title V and other MCH-related partners. Objective 2: Develop and implement a TA/Consultation 5 year plan with the State Title V program that meets mutual needs. Goal 4: Contribute to the advancement in evidence based best practices for children with disabilities through conducting scholarly research and disseminating research findings. Objective 1: Each long-term trainees will participate in scholarly research during their LEND experience under the mentorship of a LEND faculty member Objective 2: The NM LEND faculty members and/or students will produce a minimum of five scholarly manuscripts or educational products annually. Objective 3: NM LEND faculty members and/or students will present findings from evidence-based practices and research in the field of disabilities at a minimum of two professional meetings/conferences yearly.

Methodology:

Adult learning experiential methods are used throughout the New Mexico LEND Program. These methods are used throughout seminars, institutes, clinical practice, and evaluation activities. Activities require students to practice skills in leadership, scholarship, and the development and maintenance of partnerships.

Coordination:

New Mexico LEND has strong collaborative activities with State Title V; UNM PPC, and LEEP; LEND/PacWest members and other LEND Programs to provide opportunities for students and working professionals within the state and region.

Evaluation:

Process, output, and outcome measures are used to evaluate all components of the New Mexico LEND Program.