About the LEND Fellowship Program
The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship program is dedicated to improving the systems of care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and chronic health conditions. This interdisciplinary fellowship training program is for healthcare professionals and family members of children with chronic medical or developmental conditions.
LEND fellows are trained to become leaders in the many professions that work together to improve the lives of children and youth with special needs, and their families. The fellowship complements discipline-specific training by providing a broad perspective on vital quality-of-life issues, and by building knowledge of the complicated systems — healthcare, education, social services, families and others — that profoundly affect children.
The program includes clinical and classroom training at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, collaboration with families, community service projects, research training and more.
LEND is supported by a grant from the Maternal Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are more than 40 LEND programs in the United States and its protectorates.
Join the teams making a difference
As a LEND fellow at CHOP, you’ll work with nationally recognized experts who have dedicated their lives to helping children with special needs and their families.
LEND fellows:
- Participate in CHOP’s REACH Transition to Adulthood initiative. This program helps youth with developmental disabilities and/or chronic medical conditions address issues of education, housing, job training and healthcare as adults.
- Work with CHOP’s Homeless Health Initiative. LEND fellows empower families living in homeless shelters by providing fitness and nutrition education for children and adults, dental screenings, and health education.
- Are involved in the program evaluation of a community inclusion model for special-needs children focused on public transportation and air travel.
- Serve on a task force of advocates for children who have experienced maltreatment and are living in foster care or group homes.
To learn more about the LEND program, visit the LEND Fellowship page for training and application information.