PREPaRE: Preparing RElated Services Personnel for Rural Employment (Year 5)

Dear Applicant,

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University in collaboration with theDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences at University of Kentucky, have received a 5 year, $1,179,174 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for personnel development. The project is entitled: PREPaRE: Preparing Related Services Personnel for Rural Employment. We are now recruiting applications for the fifth year of funding.

This project trains and supports graduate students to help alleviate the regional shortage of highly qualified personnel in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology who are able and willing to work collaboratively in early intervention and schools in rural areas across the nation. This grant provides tuition support for two semesters for four OT, four PT and six SLP students each year ($12,500 total support).

The project will select scholars for funding who are:

  1. CSD/CDS graduate students and OT graduate students beginning year 2 of their master’s program and DPT students beginning year 3 of their professional program.
  2. Willing to take additional coursework in pediatrics including a course in interdisciplinary early intervention (summer 2017 for OT & SLP, summer 2018for PT), and a course in school-based practice (spring 2018). All or most of the additional required coursework is offered online while students are on rotations/fieldwork placements.
  3. Willing to complete a clinical rotation/field work in pediatrics.
  4. Willing to complete a clinical rotation in the schools for CSD students.
  5. Willing to work with children with disabilities in early intervention and/or a school setting for 2 full years within 7 years after graduation.

Following graduation, scholars will receive mentorship during their two year required work in early intervention and/or a school setting in preferably a rural area. In addition, a continuing education conference will be offered each year to the scholars and their mentors.

To apply for funding, you must complete the attached application and include all required documents. These applications must be received by FridayJanuary 27, 2017. Funding decisions will be announced by mid March.

If you have additional questions about applying please contact one of the Co-Directors for this project who are listed below. We look forward to your application and wish you success.

Susan Effgen, Ph.D., PT, FAPTA J. Joneen Lowman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Division of Physical Therapy Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders

University of Kentucky, 900 S. Limestone University of Kentucky, 900 S. Limestone

Lexington, KY 40536-0200 Lexington, KY 40536-0200

Office: (859) 218-0579 Office: (859) 218-0568

Email: Email:

Charlotte Hubbard, Ph.D., CCC-SLPColleen Schneck, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Communications Disorders ProgramDepartment of Occupational Therapy

Eastern Kentucky UniversityEastern Kentucky University

Office: (859) 622-3155Office: (859) 622-6301

Email: mail:

PREPaRE Fellowship Application

Deadline:January 27, 2017

This scholarship is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Grant to the Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences under the Combined Personnel Preparation CFDA 84.325K initiative.

Please complete this application and submit electronically to Heather Foster at: . For the electronic file, please title/label the file with your last name and then PREPaRE.

I. PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name:

Student UK/EKU Email:

Non- Student Email:

Student Number:

Local Address

Street:

City:

State

Zip Code:

Home/ Cell phone

Permanent Address

Street:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Phone:

II. EDUCATION

Current Professional Program: PTOTCSD at UKCDS at EKU

Date of Entry to Current Professional Program:

Current GPA for Professional Program:

Undergraduate Degree:

Date: Institution: GPA:

Other Degrees:

Date: Institution: GPA:

III. Commitment

If selected for funding, will you accept the following conditions? Yes __ No ____

I certify that to the best of my knowledge all the information on this Scholarship Application form and the attached materials is true.

If funded, I agree to complete the required coursework and clinical practicum for the PREPaRE program.

If funded, upon completion of the PREPaRE program, for the one year of funding, I agree to provide two years of services in early intervention and/or a school setting, at a minimum of 30 hours per week preferably in a rural area in the United States.

Failure to do so will result in repayment of the scholarship funding according to the federal standards.

______

Signature of Applicant Date

(Typed signature is acceptable for the application. If selected for funding a formal commitment letter must be signed.)

IV.LETTER TO THE COMMITTEE

Attach a 250-300 word letter in which you explain to the Selection Committee:

1. Your professional interest in working with the pediatric population in early intervention and schools.

2. Your projected professional employment goals after graduation that involve working with the pediatric population, i.e. where do you see yourself working 3-5 years after graduation?

V. RESUME(Most current)

You might expand the resume to be sure it includes:

a) Clinical and other experiences working with children

b) Extracurricular activities especially those involving children

c) Honors

d) Work and community service especially those involving children

e) Your interest in working in a rural setting after graduation

(Note: All of Kentucky is considered rural except metropolitan Lexington and Louisville and you need not work in Kentucky).

VI. Transcripts:

Include a copy of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts(unofficial transcript is acceptable).

VII. Letters of Reference: Two letters are required.

  • One recommended from an individual who can support your resume and reflect your interest in children, especially those with disabilities.
  • One a personal reference

Letters of reference should also be emailed directly to Mrs. Foster as a document. If preferred, a hard copy of reference lettersshould be mailed to Mrs. Foster at: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Dizney 103, 521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond, KY 40475. All letters are due by January 27, 2017 for application to be considered.

VIII. Criminal Background Check (if funded)

A complete background check indicating no issues will be needed prior to acceptance to the PREPaRE program.