Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities - Paraprofessional Preservice Program Improvement Grants
Grant: Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities – Paraprofessional Preservice Program Improvement Grants
Agency: U.S. Department of Education
Division: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Deadline: April 25, 2011
Description: The purposes of the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program are to:
- Help address state-identified needs for highly qualified personnel – in special education, related services, early intervention and regular education – to work with infants, toddlers and children with disabilities.
- Ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically based research and experience, to be successful in serving those children.
Under this round of funding, the U.S. Department of Education will fund projects that improve preservice programs for paraprofessionals who serve children ages birth through five and in grades K-12 by enhancing or redesigning curricula to adequately prepare these paraprofessionals to address the needs of children with disabilities. The purpose of this program is to improve the quality of existing paraprofessional certificate or associate degree programs. An institution receiving support under this priority must enhance or redesign its program curricula so that paraprofessionals are well-prepared to work with children with disabilities and their families.
Only the improvement of existing paraprofessional preservice programs will be funded. There are two focus areas:
- Focus Area A: Certificate or associate degree programs at institutions of higher education that currently prepare paraprofessionals to serve children ages birth through five.
- Focus Area B: Certificate or associate degree programs at institutions of higher education that currently prepare paraprofessionals to serve students in grades K-12.
Fit for Public Broadcasting: While public media stations are not eligible to apply as lead applicants to this program, they have expertise that makes them valuable partners to eligible institutions of higher education. Public media stations have experience in teacher training and knowledge about early childhood and K-12 education technology that will be valuable to institutions of higher education that want to apply for funds from this program.
Eligibility: Institutions of higher education are eligible to apply.
Anticipated funding: The U.S. Department of Education has requested $1,500,000 for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. Applications are invited now, however, to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. The estimated range of awards is $145,000 - $150,000, and an estimated 10 awards will be granted.
How to apply: Applications can be obtained online. Applications may be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the deadline.
Resources:
Program notice
Program website
