Lifelong learning is essential to those involved in Early Intervention (EI), both seasoned EI professionals and students new to the EI system. By participating in opportunities to learn and grow we enrich our work. Specifically, we strengthen our ability to support the dreams and aspirations of families. By building our knowledge and skills we are better able to enhance the ability of families to encourage and celebrate the development of their babies and toddlers. The Shishmanian Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to obtain assistance for further professional development.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is pleased to announce the Shishmanian Fellowship awards to support senior practitioners to expand their knowledge and skills in an area of interest

Applications Due October 16, 2015

Eunice Shishmanian Visionary and Teacher

Up to eight fellowships awarded each year honor Eunice Shishmanian, whose vision and dedication to the needs of very young children and their families internationally serve as a model for all of us. As a nurse, Eunice has devoted her career to Maternal Child Health initiatives and has been a leader in supporting families who have children experiencing developmental challenges. As the first chair of the Massachusetts Early Intervention Interagency Coordinating Council, Eunice helped shape the foundation for a system which continues to individualize supports and services to young children and their families. Eunice is a former member of the interdisciplinary faculty team at Northeastern University, preparing students in five disciplines to be Early Intervention specialists.

The Shishmanian Fellowships are funded by Early Intervention Services, Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood and Special Health Needs at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. SENIOR PRACTITIONERS

Senior Practitioner Fellowships provide experienced Early Intervention specialists with resources to enhance their professional development. Applicants may propose enrollment in a course; a demonstration project, an apprenticeship related to the needs of young children and their families, or another mode of directed learning to expand their knowledge and skills in a particular area of Early Intervention. Applicants may apply as individuals or as a collaborative group.

The primary goal of these fellowships is for senior practitioners to take advantage of professional development opportunities, and, secondarily, to share new learning at his or her Early Intervention program, or with the broader EI community. DPH encourages professional development that includes a well-established model and that is relevant to EI services.

Fellowships of up to $2,000 each will be granted for use from December 2015 through May 2016. The majority of the funds must be used for course or conference costs, and materials. The remainder must be used for activities and/or resources that support the sharing of learning. Funds cannot be used for capital improvements or purchase of equipment or furniture and are taxable to the recipient. (See p. 4 below for restrictions on use of funds.)

Who can apply?

An individual with a minimum five years of experience in Early Intervention, or a group of up to five individuals whose lead practitioner has at least five years of experience in Early Intervention may apply. Applications without a lead senior practitioner with five years experience in MA EI will not be reviewed. The lead applicant must work in MA EI 20 hours or more per week.

Other team members may include both junior and senior practitioners. Recipients must make a commitment to continue to work in the Massachusetts Early Intervention system for at least one year after the completion of their Fellowships.

If the Fellowship involves specific training for team members, Fellows may apply for competency education credits (CECs) to be used to document Entry 1 competency indicators in CEIS 2012. How do I apply?

This application must be word-processed, and can be completed electronically. However, do NOT submit electronically; applicants must send one complete copy by mail to EITC at the address below.

Describe your project by answering the following questions:

1. Provide a one-paragraph description of your project. List three outcomes of your project.

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

2. How will the project benefit you, as well as young children, families, colleagues, and community collaborators?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

3. How will families be involved in the project?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

4. How will your project promote family-centered services?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

5. If an apprenticeship is proposed, describe the goals and outcomes (include a letter from the proposed preceptor outlining content and time commitment).

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters 6. For coursework or training, state the training title, instructor, duration, and description. Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

7. How will applicant and team apply new learning to practice?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

8. How will new learning be disseminated within the EI program or to the broader EI community?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

9. What is the timeline for professional development and sharing of learning? Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

On what may Shishmanian Senior Practitioner Fellowship funds be spent?

Shishmanian funds may be spent on:

1. Participation by team members in professional development as a learner; 2. Related materials; 3. Costs of dissemination of new learning, including space rental up to a total of $200; 4. Release time to a total of $100 per person; 5. Copying costs up to $200.

Shishmanian Funds may not be spent on:

1. Capital improvements or purchase of equipment or furniture 2. Food 3. Production of electronic media such as videos, DVDs, CDs

How will applications be reviewed? Applications are reviewed by a team that may include personnel preparation programs, families currently or recently involved with Early Intervention, and the Department of Public Health. Applications are rated for content, relevance to the field, enhanced collaboration, innovation and dissemination. Reviewers look for clarity and feasibility.

What are the reporting requirements of this Fellowship?

At the conclusion of your experience, you will be required to submit to the MA DPH a brief written report summarizing your experience and how it met your professional development goals. TIMELINE:

October 16, 2015 applications due December, 2015 awards announced May 2016 final written reports due. Reporting may also include a poster session or workshop presentation at the conference of the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium, or a presentation at the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC).

What types of projects have been previously funded?

Some examples among the many Senior Practitioner projects funded in previous years include support for:

 training in infant massage;

 assisted communication applications;

 A music therapy curriculum;

 The SCERTS model for assisting children with ASD and their families. Senior Practitioners Required Materials

Application Cover Sheet, signed

Narrative answers to nine questions (limited to 1250 characters per question)

Budget Form detailing expenses up to $2,000

Current resumes of lead practitioner and team collaborators

Letters of commitment from any collaborators outside of your program

A letter from a supervisor or program director, clearly supporting the concept of the project and the qualifications of the applicant

A letter clearly supporting the concept of the project from a family who has received Early Intervention supports and services from the lead applicant

Letter from your program director documenting your length of employment in Early Intervention.

Note:

. Awards cannot be used for capital improvements, purchase of equipment or furniture, purchase of food, or production of electronic media . Awards are considered taxable income; if awarded, you will need to provide EITC with your social security number or other federal tax identification number in order that a 1099 can be issued.

Mail one complete application by October 16, 2015 to:

Emily Webb Metro Boston Regional Health Office Donovan Health Building 5 Randolph Street Canton, MA 02021 781-774-6700 (F) [email protected]

Senior Practitioner Application

Name of

Lead Practitioner

Years in MA Early

Intervention

Current hours per week worked in MA EI

Name(s) of other Team Collaborators

EI Program of

Lead Practitioner

Address

Telephone Fax Email

Other

Community Collaborators

One sentence description of the proposed project

I agree to continue to work in the Early Intervention system in Massachusetts for at least one year following the completion of my Shishmanian Fellowship.

Signature of Lead Applicant Date Shishmanian Senior Practitioner Fellowship Application Budget Form

Description of Cost per Item Total Expense:

Professional Development: Course Tuition (name of course) Conference/workshop Cost Travel Release time (up to $100 $ per hour: per participant) Mentor or consultant fees Admin. Support:

Sharing of New Learning: Space Rental Cost per day: *Materials (List)

Other:

Project Total: $

*These may include books, curricula, software upgrade, printing, or copying. (Awards cannot be used for capital improvements, purchase of equipment or furniture, food or production of media such as videos, DVDs, or CDs.)