We’re very excited to share that HDI has received a National Training Initiatives (NTI) grant from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) to provide three professionals from Appalachia with full scholarships to our online graduate certificate in developmental disabilities! The scholarships will cover tuition, travel and books required for the program, and these students will also agree to serve on HDI’s Underserved Populations Engagement Committee to help us further benefit more diverse populations.
According to the proposal, the purpose of this project is to increase “knowledge about developmental disabilities among professionals and self-advocates in the Appalachian Eastern Kentucky region, leading to improved services and increased choice for persons with developmental disabilities in this region. This project will also increase the number of professionals trained and informed about the specific lifespan issues and barriers faced by persons with developmental disabilities in this and other rural areas both directly, through the training of the participating fellows, and indirectly, through their subsequent work and advocacy. The project will also further increase diversity of HDI student trainees.”
Distance Learning Coordinator, Christina Espinosa explains, “We’ve been looking for ways to engage both professionals and individuals from the Appalachian region of Kentucky, and this will be a great mechanism to begin building relationships and identifying needs.”
We’re looking forward to this wonderful opportunity from AUCD to grow the diverse representation in our program and also strengthen the network of professionals offering services to people with developmental disabilities to improve outcomes for a number of populations. If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, please email Christina Espinosa at ctespinosa@uky.edu for application materials and instructions.
