About the program

The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Social Work Training Program is for students in a graduate program or post graduate who have a very strong interest in being a leader in the field of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.

The 16 hour a week, 9 month training program runs from September through May. A modest stipend of approximately $8,000 is provided.

The LEND programs are funded throughout the country with grants provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration's(HRSA) and Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCH). The Oregon LEND program in the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Institute on Development and Disability (IDD), is one of the premier programs in the country for training medical professionals in clinical care, research, community outreach and advocacy for children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.

Leadership training is a distinguishing characteristic of the LEND training program. Leadership training prepares health care professionals to move beyond excellent clinical practice or public health practice to leadership, through research, teaching, administration, and advocacy. An MCH leader is a person who has the competencies and an enduring commitment to promote and improve the well-being of the nation's women, children and families by influencing individuals, organizations, practices and policies.

Leadership training in the Oregon LEND program is concerned with several dimensions, including leadership in the professional/clinical context, in group/organizational settings, in the policy arena and in the legal context of disabilities and development.

Training Program includes:

• One-on-one mentorship and social work clinical supervision
• Mentored research project and research presentation
• Leadership and teaching opportunities
• Weekly interdisciplinary forums including topics related to clinical practice, community outreach, policy development, and family issues that affect children with disabilities
• Opportunities for continuing education
• Involvement in the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) network

The trainee will have the opportunity to collaborate with other trainees in clinical specialties, including, speech and language pathology, psychology, health administration, physical therapy, occupational therapy, special education, the family discipline and developmental pediatrics. There are also opportunities to work with ongoing research programs and to attend educational programs in the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) and in other parts of OHSU, such as grand rounds and presentations at other centers and institutes in the university.

The trainee will also have opportunities to pursue leadership training in the community in different ways, including a community engagement program.

Application requirements

We select one trainee per year (assuming the availability of funding).

The successful applicant should have at least a master's degree/doctoral student and/or interested in working towards clinical hours for licensure. 

A strong academic record is required. The applicant will need to show a strong interest in developing leadership skills and helping others to do so for the purpose of system change and improvement with the goal of better maternal and child health and health care system operations.

This will be demonstrated by a personal statement, letters of recommendation and curriculum vitae.

How to apply

The following is to be submitted for a complete application:

1. A completed application form
2. An official transcript of your graduate work
3. A personal statement that includes your interests in pursuing the Oregon LEND program and more generally in leadership in the field of disabilities and development. It would also be useful to indicate any particular goals that you have in mind for the training year
4. A current curriculum vitae
5. Two letters of reference and contact information for both

Please submit all application materials together in a single email to delongis@ohsu.edu. Letters of reference may be sent separately.

February 29 is the deadline and the start date for when the selection process begins. The selection process is usually completed at the end of March.

All letters and inquiries should be addressed to:

Maureen DeLongis, M.S.W., LCSW
Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics
LEND Social Work Training Coordinator
The Institute on Development and Disabilities at Oregon Health & Science University

707 S.W. Gaines St.
Portland, OR 97239
503-494-2545
delongis@ohsu.edu