UW Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Undergraduate Pathways (LEND UP)
What is LEND UP?
LEND UP offers hands-on learning opportunities for UW undergraduate students who are exploring health careers serving children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families. The program is part of UW Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (UW LEND), a University of Washington advanced graduate training program located at the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD).
As a LEND UP trainee you will:
- Be assigned two mentors from the UW LEND program, a faculty member and a graduate trainee
- Observe healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines working in interdisciplinary pediatric clinics
- Attend interactive lectures to learn more about developmental disabilities
This opportunity is open to all UW undergraduate students. We prioritize students considering future careers in health or education and who demonstrate interest in working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Our mission is to build and maintain a future workforce of providers prepared to support individuals in the disability community, to include providers representative of the children, youth, and families we serve.
LEND UP trainees participate in one academic quarter of learning opportunities. Upon completing the program requirements, the trainee receives a stipend to honor time committed to their learning.
What Are the Program Requirements?
- Participate for one academic quarter, a total of 20 hours, approximately 2-4 hours per week
- Attend in-person orientation during the first week of the quarter, 3-1/2 hours
- Meet with assigned LEND mentors
- Participate in 3 UW LEND Seminars. You may choose topics according to your interest
- Observe in at least two interdisciplinary pediatric clinics
- Complete pre- and post-program surveys
- Attend in-person program wrap-up and reflection meeting, 2 hours
To qualify for observation in the clinics you must meet requirements of the UW Medical Center. Requirements of the UW Medical Center include complete program onboarding steps as assigned, provide proof of current flu shot and provide vaccination records.
How Do I Fit This Into My Schedule?
LEND UP trainees must be available for:
- A 3.5 hour in-person orientation at the beginning of the quarter
- At least three Mondays between 12:30-1:45 PM during the quarter to attend LEND seminar lectures on Zoom
- At least two 3-4 hour time blocks during clinic hours, 8am-5pm, on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday to complete clinical observations
- Meetings with mentors are scheduled to fit the LEND UP trainee and mentor availability
- A 2-hour wrap up meeting at the end of the quarter
How to Apply to UW LEND UP?
- Applications usually open about 1.5-2 months prior to the start of the quarter. Please contact Sophie Maleng via email at sophielu@uw.edu to be added to the list of interested students. Once you are added to the list, you will receive the email announcement for applications.
- We will be working on an online application process for the future.
For More Information
Contact Sophie Maleng (sophielu@uw.edu), LEND UP Director
Previous LEND UP Cohorts
