ProjectINTERACT
An inter professional learning opportunity supporting students on career paths to assist children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities.
Apply now to participate in our final cohort (Jan-Dec 2024)!
Application Deadline
September 22, 2023
What is ProjectINTERACT?
Western Carolina University is proud to host the ProjectINTERACT grant! This innovative 1-year training opportunity provides Western Carolina graduate students in Communication Sciences & Disorders, Special Education, and Psychology the opportunity to learn about implementing interprofessional care models with students on the autism spectrum.
Project INTERACT (INTERprofessional Autism Collaborative Training) is a 5-year, Department of Education funded Personnel Preparation grant designed to increase the number and quality of personnel serving children with high-intensity needs, specifically Autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. This program will train 12 graduate students each year, four from each of the participating WCU disciplines (Psychology, Special Education, and Speech-Language Pathology).
Online Course Sequence (15 total credits)
- Seminar 1 (Spring) – Interprofessional Teaming and Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Seminar 2 (May Mini-mester) – Service Delivery Models for Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Seminar 3 (Summer I) – Interprofessional Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Seminar 4 (Summer II) – Interprofessional Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Seminar 5 (Fall) – Interprofessional Topics in Autism Spectrum Disorder Capstone
- SCS Student Completion Seminar (1 time class, 1 year post program completion)
View additional course information, materials, and course highlights at our Course Information page.
SCHOLAR BENEFITS
ProjectINTERACT is a fully immersive interprofessional experience. ProjectINTERACT Scholars will work alongside nationally recognized experts in Autism and Intellectual Disabilities; one year of graduate school paid for at an in-state rate; access to a travel fund for continuing education; online meeting times to facilitate team building and interactive learning; certificate of training post completion.
To learn more about the benefits of being a ProjectINTERACT Scholar, click here.
PROGRAM IMPACT
We are committed to sharing research, publications and presentations related to our grant. Families and children from surrounding communities have access to evidence-based interprofessional consultation, assessment, and treatment. Scholars work in settings serving IDEA eligible children during two of the five years following grant completion.
To read more about the positive impacts of ProjectINTERACT, click here.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Visit our resource page for relevant and useful information for parents and professionals. ProjectINTERACT is committed to sharing a variety of meaningful materials related to intervention, collaboration and services for children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested students must submit applications by September 22, 2023 (11:59 p.m.).
ProjectINTERACT will actively seek to recruit and support students from underrepresented groups. Interviews will be conducted during the Fall semester.
For additional questions or information, please contact Machelle Cathey, ProjectINTERACT Coordinator, at mcathey@wcu.edu.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PARTICIPATING
BY CLICKING THE IMAGES BELOW:
ARE YOU A
CURRENT
SCHOLAR?
• Visit the Scholar Obligations page for information about your responsibilities as a ProjectINTERACT scholar.
• Access additional course information & updates here.
The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H325K1990050. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Anita Vermeer.