Evaluating the Impact of a LEND-based Family Mentorship Program for Pre-Service Professionals

Family-led pre-professional mentoring programs have been shown in past literature to have multiple positive outcomes, including better provider communication, increased sensitivity to the needs and contributions of family members in clinical settings, and better understanding of disability policy contexts among professionals. Yet there have been relatively few examples of exemplary programs that have developed successful models for family mentoring of pre-service professionals. Using qualitative evaluative data from one such program, a component of a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, this study shares the experiences of both families and trainees. Common themes shared between these two groups included having a sense of valued mutual relationships and the importance of learning through ordinary experience. Trainee-specific themes included the importance of positioning oneself as a learner, the power of just talking, and learning about family resilience and advocacy. Themes specific to family mentors included the feeling of genuine interest from the trainee, and the desire to impact future services. From these themes we share our impressions about lessons and promising practices for the future.