In Hawai‘i and throughout the Pacific Region, health needs are reported in prevention, primary health care, early identification, diagnosis, specialized health care, early intervention, and coordination of health care systems for children with disabilities and family members. Leadership is essential to develop programs based on principles of family-centeredness, cultural competence, coordination, and comprehensiveness.

  Funded under the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, the Hawai‘i MCH LEND prepares health professionals for leadership roles to improve supports and services for children with special health needs and their family members. Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are children with disabilities or those at risk of neurodevelopmental delays, including mental retardation, multiple handicaps, and other chronic illnesses and/or health conditions. The Hawai‘i MCH LEND Program is a part of a National Network of maternal-child health leadership education training programs in neurodevelopmental disabilities.