Reaching Out Together Receives Funds to Go Statewide
- Allieviated the paraprofessional provider shortage
- Increased the base of providers who are Spanish Speaking
- Provided information and assistance with an attractive, flexible employment opportunity for families and students.
Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties are getting relief from the shortage of quality service providers, thanks to the Reaching Out Together: Paraprofessional Training Project, housed within CFS’s Division of Applied Research and Educational Support (DARES). The project began July 15, 2000 with the primary goal of recruiting and training individuals as paraprofessional Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver providers.
Due largely in part to the project’s success, which met its goal and recruited 101 individuals, funding for another year has been granted from the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC).
While the project goal will remain the same, CFS staff will help to increase the number of service providers for the entire state by taking what was learned from year one and developing a "train the trainer" model. This model will be offered to all district level DDC program staff so that they can replicate and implement the program in their areas.
"Our response from year one has been great," said project co-director Dave Guido. "Many participants indicated that they have experienced a significant increase in their level of awareness of individuals with development disabilities and their support needs, as well as an increase in their level of awareness of the DS/HCBS Waiver, and overall felt that the trainings were both information and beneficial."
The project team includes PI Lise Fox, Co-director Dave Guido, Georgia Pappas, family consultant, and new to the team is Craig Silverstein, who will serve as project assistant."Craig has been with CARD as a work study student, and we are happy to add his efficiency and motivation to our team," said Dave. Once the programs are implemented, CFS staff will continue to provide technical assistance.
"We hope to see the same improvements that have been made in districts 5,6 and 13 throughout the state," said Dave Guido.
The Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) is a department of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida. The faculty and staff of CFS are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of children and families through leadership in integrating research, theory & practice.For additional information about this project,Dave Guido can be reached at (813) 974-3738.