The Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Lifelong learning is essential to those involved in Early Intervention (EI); seasoned EI professionals, program directors, 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 and EI providers. By building our knowledge and skills we are better able to enhance the ability of families and our Early Intervention system. The Shishmanian Grant provides a unique opportunity to obtain assistance for further professional development.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health

is pleased to announce the Shishmanian Grant awards

to support

Program Directors

to expand their knowledge and skills in an area of interest

Applications Due

October 13, 2017

Eunice Shishmanian

Visionary and Teacher

Up to eight grants 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 Grants are funded by Early Intervention Services, Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood and Special Health Needs at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

program directors

Program director grants provide current, permanent, full time MA Early Intervention program directors with resources to enhance their professional development as it relates to their business practices. Applicants may propose enrollment in a course, formal seminar, training, or intensive workshop focusing on expanding their knowledge and skills in business, management, or professional leadership.

The primary goal of the Program Director grants is for program directors to take advantage of professional development opportunities that will enhance their ability to provide motivational leadership or business management skills to support their program as a whole. Grants provide program directors the opportunity to enhance their administrative knowledge and expertise through professional development.

Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded for use from December 2017 through May 2018. The majority of funds must be used for course or conference costs. The remainder must be used for activities and/or resources that support implementation of learned skills. Funds cannot be used for capital improvements, purchase of equipment or furniture, purchase of food, or production of electronic media. Grants and are taxable to the recipient.

Who can apply?

Full time program directors who hold a permanent program director position at an Early Intervention program certified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

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 professional development opportunity. List three outcomes of your grant.

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

2.  How will this professional development opportunity benefit you, as well as your staff and overall program?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

3.  For coursework or training, state the training title, instructor, duration, and description.

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

4.  How will you apply new learning to practice?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

5.  How do you envision will new learning be disseminated and applied to the EI program?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

6.  What is the timeline for professional development and sharing of learning?

Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters

On what may Shishmanian Program Director Grant funds be spent?

Shishmanian funds may be spent on:

1.  Participation by team members in professional development as a learner;

2.  Materials related to coursework or dissemination of new learning

3.  Costs of dissemination of new learning, including space rental up to a total of $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 individuals representing Early Intervention programs, personnel preparation programs, families currently or previously involved with Early Intervention and the Department of Public Health.

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.

Program Director

Required Materials

Application Cover Sheet, signed

Narrative answers to six questions (limited to 1250 characters per question)

Budget Form detailing expenses up to $2,000

Current resume of Program Director

A letter from the agencies executive director or the program director’s immediate supervisor, clearly supporting the concept of the project and verifying the qualifications of the applicant as well as the applicant’s length of employment as a current, permanent, full time in Early Intervention director.

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 postmarked by October 13, 2017 to:

Emily Webb

Early Intervention Services

MA Department of Public Health

3 Randolph St.

Canton, MA 02021

781-774-6622

Program Director

Application

Signature of Program Director Date

Shishmanian Program Director

Grant Application

Budget Form

*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.)