About SC LEND

The South Carolina Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (SC LEND) program presents a unique and vital opportunity to address some of South Carolina’s current challenges by preparing and educating culturally competent professionals and interprofessional trainees across the state and across currently established systems of care. The purpose of the LEND training program is to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities.

The goal of the LEND training program is to improve access to healthcare and services for children with disabilities and their families by training diverse groups of professionals in leadership, cultural and linguistic competence, clinical knowledge, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration between health care professionals and families.

Trainees are recruited from a variety of disciplines and include:

• Graduate Students: Matriculated graduate students in their master's or doctoral program. Also includes post-master's and post-doctoral. Postbaccalaureate students actively applying to graduate programs may also be considered. 

• Community Professionals: Practicing professionals with graduate degrees or commensurate work or leadership experience. 

• Self-Advocates and Family Advocates: Individuals who have lived experience with disabilities, both personally and as family members.