School district awarded $196,000 in grants | Education | Berkeley Independent

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School district awarded $196,000 in grants

Published Tuesday, August 31, 2010 11:43 AM

Berkeley Independent

Exceptional children who attend Berkeley County Schools will receive targeted instruction that serves their unique needs, thanks to four grants recently awarded to the school district.

The South Carolina School for Exceptional Children awarded grants totaling $196,000 in the areas of preschool, service learning, professional development, and model demonstration.

In the area of preschool, the district will receive a Visual Supports in Preschool Grant of $46,000 for educators and speech language pathologists to develop visual supports that provide inclusiveness for preschool children with disabilities.

In addition, educators will be trained in the Picture Exchange Communication System, Implementing Boardmaker, and Video Modeling, three research-based practices that achieve results when working with exceptional children.

For exceptional children entering middle school, the district will receive an “Engaging Students through Service Learning Grant” of $50,000 for service learning projects that assist these students in the transition to middle school. Staff from all 13 Berkeley middle schools will be trained on the components of effective service learning projects, while designing service learning programs for their schools.

“I commend our Department of Programs for Students with Disabilities in seeking and being awarded this substantial amount of grant money,” said Dr. Karen Whitley, Chief Academic Officer for the district. “I am confident that the funds will enhance the educational opportunities for these children and make a difference in their lives.”

Through a $50,000 Sharpening our Skills to Serve Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders grant, educators will also receive specialized training for working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

“ASD’s are increasing at a dramatic rate,” Whitley explained. “The prevalence of ASD’s is now one out of every 110 children in the United States. The goal of the grant is for each school to increase the use of positive behavior support and effective instructional practices for students with ASD’s.” ?Special educators will receive training on 11 effective treatment practices and data collection procedures for children with ASD’s, according to research conducted by the National Autism Center. Administrators will also receive training on designing appropriate environments to support these practices. In addition, parents of Berkeley County youth with autism can receive training on facilitating effective home and school partnerships.

Finally, a Job Awareness and Community Connections grant of $50,000 will go to establish a state model demonstration site in Berkeley County.

The Job Awareness and Community Connections Program (JACC), located at Cane Bay High School, will serve students ages 18-21 with mild to moderate mental disabilities.

“The purpose of JACC is to encourage student engagement in learning through a comprehensive approach that addresses employment, training and independent living by focusing on functional skills,” Whitley said.

“We are partnering with South Carolina’s Vocational Rehabilitation Department to implement a six-phase curriculum that emphasizes functional skills, natural environments and age appropriate skills. Our goal is for these students to master these skills, so when leave the Berkeley County School District, they are able to obtain employment and live independently.”

For more information on these grant programs, contact Susan Thomas at (843) 899-8677.

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