USU Medical Training Group Receives Funding

The Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at Utah State University was recently awarded a highly competitive grant, funding the program for the next five years as it trains medical and health-care professionals.

More than 80 trainees have completed the year-long program since its inception in 2001, according to Judith Holt, co-director of URLEND and director of the Interdisciplinary Training Division of the Center for Persons with Disabilities.

 

As one of only 34 such programs nationwide, URLEND’s training is critical in the Utah area. URLEND is a collaborative effort between the University of Utah’s Medical School, other departments at the University of Utah, Primary Children’s Medical Center, Family Voices of Utah, USU’s CPD and several other institutions in the region. As Holt explained, URLEND instruction focuses on the needs of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, preparing the trainees to meet those needs once they enter their chosen field.

 

“Each trainee completes 300 hours of training throughout the year,” Holt said. “This prepares them for their professional roles through interdisciplinary, clinical research, leadership activities and seminars that prepare them to work in interdisciplinary teams to meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families.”

 

The project is funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration. Funding has increased 25 percent from the initial grant in 2001.

 

“We couldn’t ask for a more impressive group of faculty and partners working with URLEND,” Holt said. “URLEND reaches more than just Utahns; we also work with the other University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and North Dakota.”

 

According to Holt, much of the success of URLEND depends on this wide array of partners with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.

 

To learn more about URLEND and its partners, call or visit the CPD (www.cpd.usu.edu) or 866-284-2821 or visit its Web site.

 

Contact: Kelly Smith, 435-797-1997

Writer: Matthew Blackham, 435-797-1977