Personnel Development Grants Serve Students with Autism

Autism Collaborative Endorsement (ACE)

Six state universities—Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, and Wayne State University—have joined together to form the Autism Collaborative Endorsement (ACE). Since January 2002, the ACE has offered an Internet-based program for special education teachers seeking a second endorsement in autism.

Approximately 250 teachers have completed plans of study and have taken at least one course toward the endorsement. The ACE requires only one application and allows students to register for courses online. This new program enables teachers to take courses from a variety of institutions without having to travel or apply to each school separately. Completion of the practicum is arranged through their home university. For more information, visit the ACE Web site at http://ace.mivu.org/index.cfm.

Interdisciplinary Certificate

Under the guidance of Carol Swift and Kathy Pistono (Oakland University), the Interdisciplinary Certificate in Autism is almost a reality. The Certificate is a special recognition provided by the Michigan Department of Education to professionals who have obtained advanced education and experience in the area of autism.

Over the past two years, a statewide committee identified and developed a set of competencies and created procedures to document meeting the competencies. The application and peer review process is being finalized. It is anticipated that candidates interested in the Interdisciplinary Certificate will be able to apply in the fall of 2003. For more information, contact: Kathy Pistono, pistonot@freeway.net, (231) 627-5750.

Statewide Autism Resources & Training (START) Center

In March 2001, Grand Valley State University was designated by the Michigan Department of Education as the lead university in the development of a state team that would build and coordinate regional multidisciplinary teams in support of school personnel and parents of individuals with autism.

The START Project has emerged to provide a model of service that encompasses three components: a resource program that includes a Web site and reference/lending library; demonstration sites throughout the state that serve to model “best practices;” and intensive training sites serviced by a state team of experts from a variety of fields who are knowledgeable about autism spectrum disorder.

Accessibility and sustainability are two of the primary objectives of the START Project. Information, training, and support need to be locally accessible to school systems and families and must be institutionalized in order to continue beyond grant funding. Therefore, a key goal of the START Project is to link schools, universities, and agencies within each region to create Regional Collaborative Networks that will serve as the “autism hub” for their area. New and existing links will combine to serve as a Regional Collaborative Network to identify and expand “best practices,” create local training and mentoring opportunities, and establish a local resource center. A teaming and collaborating model will be used to build capacity in the regions to ensure sustainability.

The START grant principal investigator is Amy Matthews. For more information, call (616) 331-6480.

For more information, contact: Joanne Winkelman, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, (517) 373-1696 or winkelmanj@michigan.gov.