Training Overview

UC-LEND is a 1-year, interdisciplinary training program that focuses on developing skills in leadership, education, policy work, and support for individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. UC-LEND trainees come from various disciplines, professional backgrounds, and work experience, and are highly motivated, involved, and seeking to further their training in their respective fields.

Who can be a UC-LEND Trainee?

The UC-LEND Training program is open to and can be tailored for a variety of interested individuals. UC-LEND Trainees can be short-term, medium-term, or long-term, depending on associated time.

Short-Term Trainees

UC-LEND Short-Term Trainees complete 0-40 hours of UC-LEND-associated training over one academic year. For more information about short-term training opportunities, please see Short & Medium Training.

Medium-Term Trainees

UC-LEND Medium-Term Trainees complete between 40-299 hours of UC-LEND-associated training over one academic year. These trainees include:

  • Undergraduate students
  • UCLA Physicians
  • UCLA Healthcare Student Rotators

Individuals in the above categories should refer to the following page: Short & Medium Training.

Long-Term Trainees

UC-LEND long-term trainees are required to complete a minimum of 300 UC-LEND hours over one academic year and interact with the UC-LEND Training Cohort across a variety of interdisciplinary seminars and events. The UC-LEND Long-Term program is customized based on the type of long-term trainee, each with their own requirements. This training program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under training grant T73MC30114.

The UC-LEND Long-Term Training application opens annually in the Winter Quarter. Individuals interested in long-term training should review the individual program requirements listed below. Application timelines and requirements may be found on the Admissions page.

Long-term trainees include:

  • Graduate students at the masters or doctoral level from UCLA and UC Riverside - see Graduate Student Training for requirements.
  • UCLA Masters in Social Welfare students completing the UC-LEND MSW Internship - see UC-LEND Social Work Internship for requirements.
  • Family members of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions looking to build skills to be a community champion - see Family Training for requirements.
  • Current and/or aspiring community champions and healthcare providers - see Practitioner Training for requirements.

By completing the above Training Program requirements, some trainees may be eligible for a stipend. Stipends are contingent upon the renewal of the federally funded UC-LEND Training Program grant. If stipends are available, eligibility for the stipend includes acceptance into UC-LEND as a long-term trainee and status as a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or other permanent resident of the United States. Non-student UCLA employees are not eligible for stipend funds.