WINTER 2001
Thoughtful, knowledgeable, and
effective educators for a diverse society
WINTER 2001
Thoughtful, knowledgeable, and
effective educators for a diverse society
CCER Awarded Grant
The Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation (CCER) has been awarded a five-year Special Demonstration grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services (OSERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration. The project began October 1, 2000, and is a unique certificate program designed to provide online training and education to people with disabilities who are interested in becoming Direct Service Professionals (DSP).
Over the span of the project, CCER will work with 100 participants in Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) to gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to assist people with disabilities in gaining employment, acquiring independent living skills, or accessing disability services to become employed in the community. Rehabilitation agencies in Region X are particularly challenged to provide support to individuals in rural areas as well as in bilingual and bicultural arenas. CCER hopes to address these needs by supporting participants who will be able to provide services to people with disabilities in their own communities.
The project will use a combination of Internet-based training along with on-site sessions and internships. Each group of 15 participants will complete approximately six months of core coursework. Experiential learning will be emphasized through paid internships in the local offices of state Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services, Independent Living Centers, Native American VR Programs, Migrant Worker Programs, One-Stop Career Centers, and Community Rehabilitation Programs, as well as local school districts. After coursework and internships are completed, participants may opt to become self-employed contractors or apply directly to various agencies for employment.
The faculty and staff of CCER will use their expertise to provide training in effective communication, disability information, advocacy, diversity, social security, ADA, and a number of other topics. CCER will also provide computer training and technical assistance to participants for online learning.
One of the most exciting aspects of the project is the opportunity for CCER to collaborate with the Woodring College of Education's Human Services Program in planning the particulars of the project as well as in preparing interested participants for possible transition to the Human Services B.A. degree program.
The project's advisory committee meeting yielded a substantial amount of feedback and enthusiasm from members. Participants represented organizations such as the Washington State Migrant Council, the North Intertribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program, the Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Washington Department of Services for the Blind, WorkSource, and Diversified Industries.
CCER plans to begin training the first group of participants from Oregon in May 2001. Groups two and five will consist of Alaska participants; groups three and six will be made up of participants from Washington and Idaho.
Geri Hansen
Return to Educator Winter 2001 Home Page