Project ASSIST
Advancing Student Success through Interdisciplinary Scholar Training: Preparation Program for Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Audiologists
Project ASSIST grant funding has ended. If you would like to be notified about future funding opportunities, please contact Nicole Pilling at Nicole.pilling@utah.edu to be added to our email list.
Personnel Preparation Grant
The Department of Special Education/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (DHH) has been awarded a 1.2 million dollar interdisciplinary personnel preparation training grant through the US Office of Special Education Programs. Project ASSIST will provide financial support to students pursuing a graduate degree and teacher license in special education (DHH K-12 program). Project ASSIST aims to reduce the critical shortage of deaf educators and educational audiologists.
From 2022 to 2026, Project ASSIST will support 29 students seeking graduate degrees in special education/deaf education or audiology. Collaboration between professionals who serve children who are DHH is crucial in developing successful, comprehensive service delivery plans. This specialty program will prepare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate successful interdisciplinary collaboration between teachers of children who are DHH and pediatric/educational audiologists.
Benefits
Scholars will receive $20,000 of grant funding
Scholars will receive $2,000 for travel to a professional conference
Scholars may be eligible for a partial tuition waiver
Scholars will receive customized equipment for hearing device management
In addition to taking the typical DHH program course of study, Project ASSIST scholars will learn alongside educational audiology students in the following activities:
1
Field work in educational settings working with children
2
Seminar series discussing essential elements of interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., models of collaboration, evidence-based practice, cultural competence)
3
Community outreach activities
4
Expanded coursework in educational audiology
Eligible Applicants
Individuals who are seeking a master's degree (MEd) and license/endorsement in teaching children who are DHH in K-12 may apply. To participate in this project, scholars will need to apply and be accepted into the special education master's program.