The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Related Disorders Center at the University of Pittsburgh (LEND-Pitt) is a dynamic interdisciplinary leadership training program in neurodevelopmental disabilities affiliated with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Our LEND Center is one of 60 LEND programs in the United States. Our goal is to educate the next generation of leaders in the field of developmental disabilities and to forge partnerships to improve the lives of children with disabilities and their families. 

LEND-Pitt has funded training opportunities available to graduate students enrolled in audiology, dentistry, genetic counseling, medicine, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, public health, social work, special education, speech language pathology and school counseling. Graduate students may be enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh or a neighboring school. Additionally, we have paid traineeships for family members of children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and adults with neurodevelopmental and related who want to develop their leadership and advocacy skills.  

LEND-Pitt provides an 8-month interdisciplinary, mentored training experience focused on intensive interdisciplinary leadership education that is family-centered and goal-directed. LEND trainees must be available on Wednesdays from 9 am to 4pm during the fall and spring semesters. 

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Competencies 

LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) programs train future leaders using core Maternal and Child Health (MCH) competencies, focusing on skills like communication, critical thinking, cultural competency, interdisciplinary teamwork, and family-centered care, to improve services for children with developmental disabilities and their families. The MCH Competencies are a framework that describes the knowledge, skills, and characteristics, and values of MCH leadership.  LEND-Pitt uses MCH Competencies as a framework and an evaluation tool with our training program.  You can learn more about the MCH Competencies using the link on the right sided navigation bar.