KY Lend

Kentucky LEND logo

The Human Development Institute (HDI), Kentucky’s University Center on Disability, is administrator for a five-year Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau in partnership with the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University. The Kentucky LEND Program is part of a national network of LEND programs. LEND programs share the same overall mission of improving the health of infants, children and adolescents with, or at risk for, neurodevelopmental and related disabilities including autism. A major focus of LEND is to increase the number of professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based screening and diagnosis as well as supports to individuals and families.


Our Goals:

  • Provide a unique training experience for interdisciplinary students with an emphasis on persons with multiple identities, their mental health, and the perspectives of self-advocates;
  • Increase the clinical expertise and leadership skills of practicing Kentucky professionals and families; and
  • Increase collaboration with universities, agencies, and statewide health and employment initiatives across Kentucky that train students and professionals to serve children and youth with autism and other developmental disabilities.