resource acquisition, and skill integration through both collaborative and self-directed learning activities. This level of technical assistance will involve master teachers, special education specialists and autism specialists. • Statewide Technical Assistance will focus on individual questions and concerns that may arise from other school divisions seeking information related to evidence-based practice for individuals with ASD. VCU-ACE will field and respond to questions from individual school divisions through the development of a rich collection of training activities and resources. T rainin g
• A comprehensive statewide program of training activities will be provided for educators, paraeducators, professionals and family members. Training is provided on topics related to ASD and evidence-based practices including applied behavior analysis. Training activities will include college course work to be taken for credit as well as a host of online training activities. • College course work will be provided at institutes of higher education throughout the state. A State Autism Consortium in Professional Development will provide guidance on this measure to ensure course work is available and accessible to all relevant stakeholders who provide service to a person with ASD. This initiative also will facilitate the provision of course work and experience leading to Board Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Online training will include a variety of activities, including webcasts by state and national experts, online seminars and online courses. Training will be provided on a range of topics relevant to this population. C o llab o rati o n
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Throughout these activities, VCU-ACE will collaborate with stakeholders who share its passion and interest regarding the education of students with ASD. Collaboration will involve many formal and informal activities that will enhance service delivery. W ebsite
The center’s website, www.vcuautismcenter.org, provides a description of VCU-ACE, its mission, collaborating partners and ongoing activities. It also provides information on training activities occurring throughout the state as well as a host of online training events for anyone who lives with, works with, or supports an individual with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Resources, including fact sheets and summaries of journal articles on topics related to ASD, are available by browsing categories of interest.
$2.2 Million Grant to Help Students with Intellectual Disabilities Attend College The VCU School of Education has received a $2.2 million federal grant to help young adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities participate in college courses that will provide opportunities to earn a higher income.
VCU Autism Center for Excellence Director of Technical Assistance Carol Schall (left) and Adonis Bullock Jr. Bullock is a St. Mary’s Hospital employee and has Autism Spectrum Disorder. He refills hand-sanitizer dispensers throughout the hospital and restocks isolation carts.
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) and the Partnership for People with Disabilities are collaborating on the five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, one of 27 such grants the agency awarded to colleges and universities across the country. “President Obama has set a goal for America to have the highest percentage of college graduates in the world by 2020,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a statement last fall. “These new programs make an important contribution toward that
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