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OSEP Discretionary Grant Description

Project EPIC (Educating Paraprofessionals in Our Communities)

CFDA Number:	84.325H
Program Name:	Personnel Preparation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities
Competition Name:	Improving the Preparation of Personnel to Serve Children with High-Incidence Disabilities
Project Number:	H325H000126
Project Director:	Hammond, Helen
Organization:	University of Texas - El Paso College of Education #707 UTEP, El Paso, Texas 79968 915-747-7642
Beginning Date:	2000-06-01
Ending Date:	2003-05-01

Abstract

Purpose: The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Department of Educational Psychology and Special Services will conduct a project to help meet the critical shortage and enhance the quality of special education personnel within a western region of Texas.

Method: This project will be implemented in collaboration with school districts and agencies within the El Paso and Hudspeth counties of Texas. This region, which borders Mexico, reflects a unique population of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, specifically Hispanic residents who comprise approximately 80% of the population. Selected participants will be paraprofessionals who are already employed in child care or school settings with children with disabilities, thus showing evidence of their personal investment to not only their community but also to the field of special education. Specifically, this project will provide preservice training to two targeted groups of professionals who work with children ages three to 21 with high-incidence disabilities. The primary focus of training will be for paraprofessionals who are already employed in special education classrooms and are seeking teacher certification in special education. The second focus of training will be for paraprofessionals who are employed in day care centers, Head Start programs, or preschool programs who wish to pursue a 24-credit endorsement in early childhood special education. Within the three years of the project, Project EPIC will provide personnel preparation to a minimum of 35 individuals seeking a bachelors degree in special education and a minimum of 20 participants pursuing an endorsement in early childhood special education.

Children to benefit from this project:

Age:	Preschool (3-5 years), Elementary/Middle, Secondary
Disability:	Not Specified
Severity of Disability:	Mild
Ethnicity:	Hispanic
Geographic location:	Not specified

Personnel Preparation Program Information:

Academic Degree to be Received:	Certificate, Bachelors
Program Focus:	Teachers
Trainee Ethnicity:	Not specified

IDEA

Bobby Approved