The Connecticut Developmental Disabilities Network (DDN) was established to provide leadership for implementation of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance
and Bill of Rights Act.
Read More>>
People with disabilities and their families are
at the heart of how we plan, complete,
and evaluate our activities.
We also rely on a broad range of professionals, organizations and agencies
to bring about community-wide change.
Read More>>
Add to Favorites
| Print This Page
| Resize Text:
Click on Refresh or F5 on your keyboard to go back to normal view
| Print This Page | Resize Text:
Click on Refresh or F5 on your keyboard to go back to normal view
Early Intervention Specialist Program
Overview
Early Intervention Specialist Certificate / Credential Program
The purpose of this interdisciplinary personnel preparation project is to increase the number and quality of early interventionists (across disciplines) serving infants and toddlers with disabilities. The course utilizes web-based instruction to deliver content around three comprehensive modules: 1) Family-centered care, 2) Cross-disciplinary interventions in natural environments and 3) Interagency collaboration. The web-based instruction is offered through UConn, with regional site coordinators facilitating follow-up learning communities at student locations. The content of the coursework and practica correspond to competencies that must be demonstrated in order to receive a certificate and in some states to be credentialed. An additional feature of the project is a focus on systems change through the development of a state Higher Education Council to facilitate the adoption of the early intervention credential and competencies across preservice personnel preparation colleges and universities in Connecticut. Other states that are considering an early intervention credential have given their support to the project, thus broadening it’s systemic impact.
Goals
- To recruit participants in the program
- To implement coursework
- To facilitate coursework and practica within CT’s Institutes of Higher Education.
- To facilitate an early intervention credential in other states
- To evaluate the personnel preparation program
Highlights
The Early Intervention Specialist Project (EISP) will begin a new cohort of students this September. Students from Connecticut, Ohio, Georgia and California will begin participation in this web based course. This will be the second cohort of students participating in this on-line early intervention certification program. Cohort I consists of students from around the country who in addition to completing instructional material on-line, engage in discussions regarding critical issues in early intervention. National recruitment efforts will occur this fall in order to attract early intervention professionals for another cohort of students to begin the EISP course in early 2008.
Contact
Mary Beth Bruder, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, UConn Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Phone: (860) 679.1500
E-mail: Bruder@nso1.uchc.edu
Melissa Van Buren, Ed.D.
Phone: (860) 679.1500
E-mail: eisp.vanburen@gmail.com
Early Childhood initiatives at the UCEDD focus on evidenced based practices and learning outcomes. We provide training and technical assistance to early interventionists, teachers, therapists, service coordinators, policy makers and families on a variety of areas including social competence, early literacy, early childhood outcomes, service coordination practices, and evidenced based intervention practices.
School Age initiatives at the UCEDD focus on the inclusion of children with disabilities in typical school and community life. We provide training and technical assistance to families, school personnel and community members in a variety of areas including the special education process, inclusive education, adapted curriculum, assistive technology, disability awareness and person-centered planning.
Adult initiatives at the UCEDD focus on including people with disabilities in their communities. We provide training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, state agencies, service providers and other community members in a variety of areas including the hiring of personal assistants, accessible transportation, emergency preparedness and response, and health care.