Training

The LEND Center at the University of Pittsburgh, formerly UCLID, is a dynamic interdisciplinary leadership training program in developmental disabilities affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Our LEND Center is one of 43 programs in 37 states. As a LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Related Disorders) Program our goal is to educate the next generation of leaders in the field of disabilities and to forge partnerships to improve the lives of children with special needs and their families.

The LEND Center has exciting funded training opportunities available to students enrolled in graduate and post-graduate programs in health care, psychology, education, public health, law, and social services, working professionals, and family members of children with disabilities. It provides an 8 month interdisciplinary, mentored training experience focused on intensive interdisciplinary leadership education that is family-centered and culturally sensitive. The program provides high quality training with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sickle Cell Disease, Fragile X, and audiology. Our faculty of 17 consists of healthcare and education professionals as well as family members. Our program coincides with the University of Pittsburgh's academic year. Funding is available for those students who qualify; and we plan to enroll 15 funded LEND Leadership Trainees.