Application Open: Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Service Delivery Model Community of Learning (Fall 2022)

Description:

Based on continuing need, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce that two Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Service Delivery Model Communities of Learning will be offered beginning in September 2022. The purpose of the Communities of Learning (CoLs) is to deliver targeted technical assistance and professional development to teachers endorsed in early childhood special education (ECSE) who provide special education services using the itinerant model.

In an itinerant model, an ECSE endorsed teacher travels between classrooms or programs to consult with general education teachers and to provide direct services to individual children. While the general education teacher serves as the primary teacher, the itinerant ECSE teacher designs supplemental and specialized learning opportunities to address each child’s goals as indicated in the Individual Education Program (IEP). Together, the general education teacher and the itinerant teacher determine how to embed learning opportunities throughout the day and how to monitor the child’s progress to ensure learning.

 The CoLs will focus on building the necessary competencies to implement high-quality itinerant services to ensure the active and meaningful participation of young children with disabilities within the general education environment. Participants will be provided copies of A Guide to Itinerant ECSE Services and other critical resources, and will complete activities designed to enhance understanding and implementation of the model.

 The CoLs will be virtual. Teachers will be assigned to a regional cohort with sessions occurring on either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:30. The six-session series will begin on September 27 or 28 and end on November 1 or 2, 2022. Participants are to attend all sessions and must currently be providing services using the itinerant model.

 Applications are due on Friday, September 2, 2022.

 Questions regarding the CoLs should be emailed to Dr. Jaye Harvey, CoL Leader, at jhwellons@vcu.edu.