Dissemination and Implementation Science Center
- STOP COVID-19 Program
- Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities
- Adaptation, Fidelity, and Tailoring Workgroup
- Center for AIDS Research Implementation Science Hub
San Diego Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (San Diego LEND)
The San Diego Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities program (San Diego LEND) is a unique, interdisciplinary leadership training program funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The San Diego LEND is administered through the UC San Diego Altman Clinical Translational Research Institute Dissemination and Implementation Science Center in collaboration with San Diego State University and Rady Children’s Health, and government and community agencies within San Diego and Imperial Counties. San Diego LEND is part of a national network of 60 LEND training programs.
The San Diego LEND program provides interdisciplinary and leadership training to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical residents and fellows, practicing professionals, family members, and neurodivergent individuals focused on applying implementation science to promote access to evidence-based services for individuals with autism and other developmental disorders (Autism/DD). Training activities are typically scheduled from August through May and there are multiple training intensity options ranging from 40 to 300 hours over the training period.
What makes San Diego LEND unique?
- San Diego LEND faculty have expertise applying implementation science, the scientific study of methods and strategies to promote the use of evidence-based practice and research by practitioners and policymakers, across community service systems caring for individuals with Autism/DD.
- We offer specialized training in implementation leadership, which is strategic leadership focused on supporting the use and sustainment of evidence-based practices.
- We leverage strong community partnerships and multi-institutional collaboration offering opportunities to use the strengths and expertise of both academic institutions and community partners to promote access to evidence-based Autism/DD services.
- We strive to provide interdisciplinary training that is responsive to the unique characteristics of San Diego and Imperial Counties with the goal of improving service and clinical outcomes for our residents.
Why become a LEND trainee?
Benefits to being a San Diego LEND trainee include:
- Building expertise in autism, developmental disabilities, and other neurodiverse populations
- Developing advocacy and leadership skills
- Co-learning with trainees and faculty from multiple disciplines and perspectives
- Collaborating with experts in developmental disabilities, implementation science, and community partnerships across service systems.
- Receiving stipend payment (for some trainees)
Trainees
Who is eligible to be a LEND trainee?
San Diego LEND trainees will be:
(1) Graduate and post graduate trainees
(2) Practicing professionals working with autism/DD populations.
(2) Family members individuals with disabilities
(3) Individuals with disabilities
Family members and individuals with disabilities are critical contributors to San Diego LEND. These trainees participating as Long Term Trainees can complete the 300 required hours over 1 or 2 years depending on their needs; LEND faculty will work closely with trainees to individualize training schedules as needed.
Long-Term Trainees
San Diego LEND will enroll approximately 11 Long-Term Trainees annually. Long-Term Trainees will participate in 300+ hours in the San Diego LEND program during the training year. Long-Term Trainees will engage in weekly didactic training, clinical observations, community experiences and will complete a Community Action Project. Supplemental funding may be provided to a subset of Long-Term Trainees.
Medium-Term Trainees
San Diego LEND will enroll up to 20 Medium-Term Trainees annually. Medium-Term Trainees complete between 40- 299 hours of training. Medium-Term Trainees will engage in selected didactic or practicum experiences through LEND as part of a formal course of study. The schedule is individualized for MTT to accommodate working professionals.
LEND Trainee Training Requirements
| Long Term Trainees | Medium Term Trainees | |
|---|---|---|
| Hours Required | Minimum of 300 training hours | Between 40-299 training hours |
| LEND Didactics | Weekly participation in all LEND seminars | Participation in a subset of lectures from the weekly seminar series |
| Disability Leadership Workshop | Required | Optional |
| Implementation Leadership Workshop | Required | Optional |
| Autism Discovery Institute Multidisciplinary Clinical Observations |
Rotation of clinical observations at Rady Children's Health Autism Discovery Institute Multi-Disciplinary Clinic (Thursdays 8:30 am-1:30pm) Clinical observation at additional Rady Children's Health and UC San Diego Health interdisciplinary clinics The multidisciplinary team at the Rady Children's Health Autism Discovery Institute John M. Sachs Family Clinic for Autism provides multidisciplinary care through collaborative and coordinated evaluations and treatment across a range of disciplines, including Clinical Psychology, Neurology, Speech Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Care Coordination to meet children's developmental, behavioral, medical, and mental health needs. |
Opportunities for clinical observations in Rady Children's Health and UC San Diego Health interdisciplinary clinical sites (days and times to be individualized to trainee schedule) |
| Community Activities |
Placement at partnered community site to complete a Community Action Project Opportunities for community service and engagement activities at partnered community sites (days and times will depend on community event schedules) |
Opportunities for community service and engagement activities at partnered community sites (days and times will depend on community event schedules) |
| Community Action Project | Mentored completion of a Community Action Project and presentation at the LEND community "Expo" (end of each training year) | N/A |
| Technical Assistance | Provision of consultation and technical assistance to local, state, and national public agencies, Title V programs, professional organizations, and community advocacy organizations along with LEND faculty. | Optional |
| Individual Mentorship | Monthly mentorship meetings with LEND faculty and mentored completion of LEND Training Plan | N/A |
* See LEND Training section below for detailed description of training activities.
LEND Training
San Diego LEND is a comprehensive leadership training program that typically runs August through May. The program provides interdisciplinary and person-, family- centered training through didactic, community, clinical, leadership, and research training experiences emphasizing the promotion access to evidence-based care.
Training activities are a combination of virtual and in-person activities in accordance with institutional and public health guidelines.
LEND training includes (1) didactic training/seminars, (2) intensive workshops, (3)continuing education activities, (4) clinical observations, (5) community service, (6) community action projects, and (7) mentorship
Didactic Trainings
Didactic training includes LEND seminars and intensive trainings.
LEND Seminars
San Diego LEND will provide didactic educational experiences for trainees through a weekly seminar series with content related to autism and related developmental disabilities, educational, medical, mental health and other services, implementation science and leadership. Seminar sessions are both in person and virtual (via zoom). LEND didactic training will also include a technical assistance roundtable and "Interviews with a Local Leader" series.
Disability and Implementation Leadership Workshops
Our intensive workshops provide training in Disability and Implementation Leadership to promote leadership development and supported community service delivery of evidence-based practices.
Attendance: Long-Term Trainees are expected to attend LEND seminars weekly, while Medium-Term Trainees will be asked to participate in a subset of seminars, with the option to attend as many seminars as their schedules allow.
The Disability and Implementation Leadership workshops are required for Long-Term Trainees but open to all LEND participants.
Continuing Education Activities
LEND trainees will be invited to participate in continuing education and professional development activities.
- The UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Autism Research and Practice CME seminar is designed to (1) increase knowledge of the latest research and practice innovations related to the causes, assessment, treatment, or services for individuals with autism; (2) identify applications of evidence-based diagnostics and intervention practices to routine care for individuals with autism; and (3) understand approaches to navigate complex community services for autism. This seminar is offered monthly.
- The Dissemination and Implementation Science Center (DISC) Monthly Seminars is a monthly learning community to discuss the latest in D&I literature, workshop new proposals and learn from D&I experts. DISC Seminar is held monthly on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 2-3:30pm.
Clinical Observations
San Diego LEND clinical observations will occur at Rady Children’s Health and UC San Diego Health through the Autism Discovery Institute Multi-Disciplinary Team and other programs. They are designed to provide exposure to state-of-the-art interdisciplinary care. Clinical observations are required for Long Term Trainees and will be included for Medium Term Trainees based on trainee availability and individual training goals.
Examples of potential clinical observations include:
- John M. Sachs Family Clinic for Autism
- Autism Discovery Institute
- Down Syndrome Center
- Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
- Prenatal Substance Exposure Clinic
- Genetics
- Neurology
- Angelman Syndrome Clinic
- Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)
- Audiology
Community Activities
San Diego LEND will provide community service and engagement volunteer activities at programs throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties providing, coordinating, or studying care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Community programs span multiple community service systems (e.g., early intervention, educational, mental health, rehabilitation and vocational) and disciplines.
Community Action Projects
The primary activity completed at partnered community organizations for long-term trainees is the Community Action Project (CAP). Specific project topics are individualized based on a need identified by the organization and typically take one of the following forms: (1) needs assessment; (2) program evaluation; (3) resource development; or (4) tool development. San Diego LEND long term trainees work on their CAP throughout the training year. Summaries of the projects are presented by the trainees at the end of the year “LEND Expo” at the end of the training year.
The "Expo" is an interactive conference designed to showcase trainee Community Action Projects. It will be organized through the UC San Diego Dissemination and Implementation Science Center. Trainees will present their projects. Community partners and the broader community will be invited to attend.
Faculty and Staff
San Diego LEND Faculty
The San Diego LEND faculty represent individuals from different disciplines, backgrounds, & institutions. We have faculty represented from UC San Diego, San Diego State University (SDSU), Rady Children’s Health (RCH), and the Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC).
San Diego LEND Directors
Program Director: Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D.
Co-Director: Jessica Suhrheinrich, Ph.D.
Training and Evaluation Director: Colby Chlebowski, Ph.D.
Core Faculty
Mary Baker-Ericzén, Ph.D. (SDSU; CASRC)
Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. (UC San Diego; RCH)
Themba Carr, Ph.D. (RCH)
Colby Chlebowski, Ph.D. (SDSU; CASRC)
Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. (SDSU; CASRC)
Lauren Gist, M.D., MPH (UC San Diego; RCH)
Rachel Haine-Schlagel, Ph.D. (SDSU; CASRC)
Anuja Jindal, M.D., MPH (UC San Diego, RCH)
Paul Luelmo, Ph.D. (SDSU)
Sonja Pruitt-Lord, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (SDSU)
Jessica Suhrheinrich, Ph.D. (SDSU; CASRC)
Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH (UC San Diego; CASRC)
Toni Saia, Ph.D., CRC (SDSU)
Kristen Wigby, M.D. (UC San Diego, RCH)
San Diego LEND administrative coordinator: Jacqui Richards, MS
How to Apply
Applications are now closed for the 2026-2027 training cohort. Updates on the application for 2027-2028 will be available in February 2027.
Application Process
All applicants must complete the San Diego LEND online application and submit 1) one letter of reference (using the LEND reference form), 2) a statement of interest, and 3) a CV/resume (CV/resumes are required for practicing professionals and graduate/post-graduate applicants only).
Statement of Interest
Please provide a one-page statement of interest that addresses applicant’s interest in evidence-based service access, leadership strengths, experience in the field of autism/developmental disabilities, and the skills and competencies applicant is interested in developing during San Diego LEND training.
For individuals with a disability and/or family members, please describe your personal lived experience. Please include any leadership, community, or advocacy interest or experiences related to autism or other disabilities that you may have.
Application Support
Jacqui Richards, LEND Administrative Coordinator will be available to support applicants though the submission of application materials. She can be contacted at sandiegolend@health.ucsd.edu.
Applications will be reviewed by the Training Director and the San Diego LEND faculty team. Applicants meeting initial requirements will be contacted for a semi-structured interview with one or more core faculty members. Final decisions will be communicated to the applicant via email.
Contact Us
You can contact the San Diego LEND program at