Links
UAB
MCH LEND
at the Civitan Center and Sparks Clinics
Director
Alan K. Percy, M.D.
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
AUCD is the national association representing a nationwide network of university centers participating in a variety of programs including: Developmental Disability Research Centers (DDRCs), University Centers for Excellence (UCEs), and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND).
The AUCD web site contains a wealth of information about UCE's, DDRC's, and LEND programs. Click here for a link on the AUCD web site that provides a detailed description of the LEND concept and history.
UAB Links and Information
You may visit the main list of UAB departmental and staff web sites by clicking here.
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Contactingthe
UAB MCH LEND Director at the Civitan Center and Sparks Clinics
Alan
K. Percy, M.D.
Phone: 205-934-5471
Fax: 205-975-2380
E-mail Dr. Percy
This web site is maintained at the UAB CIRC by Jim Willett.
UAB Web Site official disclaimer policy
UAB Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Project
PHILOSOPHY OF THE UAB MCH LEND PROJECTThe philosophy of the UAB Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MCH LEND) interdisciplinary training project is embodied within the mission of the Sparks Clinics and Civitan Center. We are working to improve the well-being and quality of life of individuals and families affected by developmental disabilities. The MCH LEND program at the Civitan Center and Sparks Clinics works in collaboration with three other MCH LEND projects at UAB.
The purpose of the UAB MCH Collaborative Network is to provide a network for the promotion of shared MCH training, technical assistance and research at UAB. UAB is unique in that it has four MCHB interdisciplinary training grants on campus. This purpose will be accomplished by shared continuing education and technical assistance efforts, interdisciplinary graduate and post-graduate leadership training, information dissemination, advocacy around MCH issues, collaborative research and grants support, and trainee recruitment. The UAB MCH LEND is one of 36 LEND programs in 29 states.
To accomplish this mission, the Civitan Center is committed to the expansion of knowledge about human development as it relates to neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and to translate this knowledge into exemplary programs providing service and education. Central among these activities is the training of new leaders who can build capacity within the service delivery system and can provide leadership to create effective changes within these systems. The advancement of comprehensive interdisciplinary training will promote the well-being of the population served in Alabama and the South, children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families.
PURPOSE OF THE UAB MCH LEND PROJECT
The purpose of the LEND project is to improve the health status of children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families. To accomplish this, the project will provide Maternal and Child Health (MCH) interdisciplinary leadership education to prospective and current health professionals who plan and provide services for children and their families.
Using a comprehensive and coordinated interdisciplinary approach, the MCH training program at the UAB Civitan Center and Sparks Clinics provides high quality clinical leadership training to graduate students from all relevant disciplines that provide services to children with or at-risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. The LEND project is clinic and community-based, family-focused, and oriented to the development of a firm understanding of cultural and subcultural issues.
Broadly defined areas of training include:
- disciplinary and interdisciplinary clinical competency;
- leadership preparation related to clinical services, the service delivery system, technical assistance, and continuing education;
- knowledge of the Healthy Year 2010 Objectives and the Bright Futures Guidelines related to neurodevelopmental disabilities;
- and an understanding of relevant research issues.
Additionally, the project provides needed outreach training to professionals, paraprofessionals, and families throughout the state and region using a variety of educational strategies.
Administrative Structure
Alan Percy, M.D., is Director of the UAB MCHB LEND program as well as the Alabama UCEDD at UAB, and he also serves as Medical Director of the UAB Sparks Clinics. He coordinates activities of the LEND through the directors of the Civitan Center, the UAB Provost, and works cooperatively with members of the Policy Advisory Committee in the administration of the program. Dr. Percy provides liaison with the chairpersons of the academic departments in which Civitan Center and Sparks Clinics faculty maintain academic appointments.
The LEND Director reviews and provides initial approval of all projects and programs to be conducted in the facility and is responsible for the allocation of personnel, space, and equipment in support of the MCHB training program. He is assisted by the Director for Interdisciplinary Training, Fred Biasini, Ph.D., and the Financial Officer Decarlos Wright. Additionally, Assistants to the Director have been appointed in four other key programmatic areas. Together, these persons comprise the program administration:
- Assistant to the Director-Service, Gina Harris, M.S.W;
- Assistant to the Director-Information Dissemination,
Jim Willett, B.A.;- Assistant to the Director-Research,
Jan Wallander, Ph.D.;- Assistant to the Director-Medical Services,
Alisa Hoffman, M.D.The LEND receives important input from the Civitan Center Consumer Advisory Committee. This committee reviews the activities of the Center and provides guidance with respect to meeting the state and regional needs in service care delivery, technical assistance, information dissemination, and, especially, in the adequate numbers and distributions of providers.
Sparks Clinics and Civitan Center faculty provide training for the MCHB LEND training program students. In order to maximize efficiency and ensure quality, the faculty and staff are organized into disciplines with responsibility for setting and implementing the disciplinary and interdisciplinary goals and objectives. Faculty members have academic appointments in UAB departments where they also teach and carry out various departmental responsibilities