Children's Hospital Los Angeles Program

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CA-LEND) Training Program is the only LEND program in California and one of the oldest LEND programs in the United States. Since 1966, the program has been dedicated to training leaders, educating community providers, conducting research, and promoting systems change for children with or at risk of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD), including Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The mission of the program is to create an interdisciplinary learning community where leaders in Maternal and Child Health prepare to serve children with or at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. This is accomplished through family-centered, culturally responsive, coordinated, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate clinical care, teaching, research, and systems change 1.

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Interdisciplinary Leadership

Each discipline involved in the CA-LEND program brings a unique and important perspective that is crucial for providing a comprehensive approach to complex problems faced by children with NDD. Interdisciplinary teams collaborate closely with families to improve health outcomes and development, conduct cutting-edge research, and advocate for improved systems of care 1.

Training Curriculum

The CA-LEND program comprises a comprehensive 32-week training course running from September through May, with most activities scheduled on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The curriculum is divided into seven modules that cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Genetic Disorders
• Neurological and Neuromotor Disabilities
• Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Intellectual and Learning Disabilities
• Chronic Illness and Special Health Care Needs
• Vision, Hearing, Speech and Language Disorders

Learning modalities within the program include seminars, clinical cases, small group exercises, presentation skill development, interdisciplinary team modeling, family-based experiences, policy and advocacy work, research methodology, self-reflective leadership training, and clinical exposure 1.

The training culminates in a Leadership Project in an area of interest, which is aimed at yielding a tangible policy, research, or community education product to complete the CA-LEND training. Trainees who receive a certificate of completion are expected to demonstrate competencies in several domains, including:

• Ethical and Professional Conduct
• Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities
• Interdisciplinary Team Building
• Health Care Systems and Communities
• Public Policy
• Critical Thinking
• Leadership
• Family Centered and Culturally Competent Care
• Communication, Teaching, and Mentoring
• Discipline Specific Skills

Program Details

The CA-LEND program is not ACGME accredited and accommodates 22-30 long-term fellows each year, engaging in approximately 300 hours of training. The program has a clear application timeline, which is detailed in the program brochure, and lasts for one year 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The CA-LEND program provides visa support for international applicants, offering sponsorship for the J-1 visa, which is commonly used for fellowship programs in the United States. This makes the program accessible to a wide range of international medical graduates (IMGs), contributing to a diverse training environment.

The competitiveness of the CA-LEND program is moderate, with a selection criterion emphasizing leadership potential, academic preparedness, and a solid commitment to improving the quality of life for children with NDD and special health care needs. While the program does not specifically advertise itself as DO or IMG friendly, its inclusive approach to training and focus on diversity suggests a welcoming environment for candidates from varied backgrounds.