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The University of Toledo’s Judith Herb College of Education is pleased to announce funding for Project DIRECT CONNECTIONS, a 4-year ( July, 2007- June, 2011) grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.  Dr. Bill McInerney and Dr. Laurie Dinnebeil are the co-directors of Project DIRECT CONNECTIONS.

The focus of Project DIRECT CONNECTIONS is on the preparation of early childhood special educators to serve as highly qualified itinerant early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers across Ohio. Applicants must be currently employed as an itinerant ECSE teacher and NOT hold an ECIS license. The 2-year part-time graduate program of study will lead to licensure as an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist (ECIS).  The program of study will include topical seminar offerings and a high-quality field experience at the conclusion of the program (Summer of Program Year 2). Program content will focus on the roles and responsibilities of itinerant ECSE teachers, within the collaboration/consultation model of service delivery, incidental and activity-based instruction, current practices in ‘response to intervention (RTI)’, developmentally appropriate early learning experiences, transdisciplinary team interaction, multicultural awareness, itinerant services, and development of professional and interpersonal skills which contribute to effective inclusion practices. 

Thank you  for your interest in our program. Our final cohort of 14 students began their program of study in Fall 2009.

For more information about the itinerant service delivery model, please see our PROJECT DIRECT web site.