Financial > Professional Growth Grants

• Overview
• Fellowships
• Professional Growth Grants

Who can apply for a Professional Growth Grant?

The principle applicant must be a staff member from a district Early Childhood Special Education program serving young children 3-6 years old. Applicant partners/team members may include individuals from district and/or community early childhood initiatives. The principle applicant should be prepared to receive ALL calls and correspondence related to the project.

To investigate and Implement Personal and/or Program Improvement:

• To promote personal growth, study groups, focus groups
• To cover expenses to attend workshops, conferences, seminars, symposiums which are part of a professional growth plan
• To affect change, investigate and implement change and improvement

Topics

May include but are not limited to:

• Literacy/Numeracy
• Blending/Inclusion
• Adaptations
• Integrated Therapies
• Project Approach
• Multiple Intelligences
• NAEYC Accreditation
• Co-teaching
• Transitions
• Use of Technology
• Multi-Age-Grouping
• ISBE Early Learning Standards
• Developmentally Appropriate Practice

• Writing DAP Individual Education Plans
• Work Sampling ®
• Program Continuity Ages 3-8
• Brain Research
• Screening/Assessment
• Educational Approaches
• High Scope
• Curriculum Enhancement
• Classroom Environment
• Team-Building
• Family Involvement
• Challenging Behavior
• Educational Approaches

Collaboration

Collaborative partners may include, but are not limited to:

• Parents
• Early Intervention Programs
• Head Start
• PreK At Risk Programs
• Park District Programs
• Community Preschool/Child Care Programs
• Child Care, Resource & Referral Agencies
• Prevention Initiative Programs
• Parental Training Programs
• Local Interagency Councils
• Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade Classrooms
• Other community services and agencies

How can I use Growth Grant funds?

• All funds must be used in a way that has a direct positive impact on children or families and the services they receive.
• Funds can be used to purchase materials, services, consultants necessary for the implementation of the project ideas that reflect best practice in Early Childhood.
• Funds can be used for expenses for groups to gather and study a topic: facilitator/presenter expenses, site costs, costs to attend training, registration, mileage, lodging.
• Funds cannot be used to perform any established responsibility of the program, district, or agency involved in the project. Funds may not be used to provide meals.

How will my funds be disbursed?

Up to $800.00 per school district per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) may be awarded. As soon as a signed contract has been received, 75% of the awarded amount will be disbursed. The balance, 25%, of the funds will be disbursed after the Final Reflections (final report) and all original receipts of all expenditures are received. Final Reflections must be submitted to STARNET on or before May 16, 2008. Reflections should include individual and group narratives where appropriate. An attached itemized budget on expenditures along with original receipts must accompany the final narrative reflections. Purchases must be tax-exempt.

Timeline

Proposals will be accepted on an ongoing basis and considered for funding until the allotted funds are disbursed on or before March 14, 2008. Final Reports with receipts will be due on or before May 16, 2008. Contact office to determine availability of funding. Mail one (1) original and five (5) copies of your proposal to STARNET Regions I and III. Do not FAX proposals. No proposals will be considered after March 14, 2008.

Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to present grant ideas upon request in panel or workshop form.

Evaluation

STARNET Regions I & III Project Coordinator and Resource Specialists will evaluate Applications.

How do I apply?

All sections of the application must be completed. All work must be typed or completed on a computer. Your cover page must be this page. No faxed proposals will be accepted. Submit one (1) original and five (5) copies of the proposal on or before March 14, 2008, to:

Download and print the application form.

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