Rural Links

Information

Rural Links Open House 2005: Word or Adobe
Funding Abstract
Brochure: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF
Application Information: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF
Project Summary: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF
Newsletter: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF

Forging special links

OSU students exposed to rural schools, special needs students. Gazette Times article - May 9, 2005.

Description of the Program

The United States Department of Education (USDE) has identified a serious shortage in Oregon and adjacent states of personnel specifically trained to serve (a) families of infants and toddlers with disabilities or significant developmental delays, (b) preschool-aged children with disabilities and their families, and (c) older children through fifth grade with significant and multiple disabilities. These shortages are especially acute in rural areas. Qualified personnel are needed--in sufficient number, with targeted preparation in philosophy and strategies for their age group, and with knowledge and skills for relating to rural families and service systems.

Accordingly, USDE has provided scholarship funds to Oregon State University (OSU) and its partners, the University of Oregon (U of O) and Western Oregon University (WOU), to support the preparation for teacher or therapist licensure of future early interventionists and special educators or related service personnel. Please read carefully the conditions of program participation (described below) before submitting an application.

Undergraduates will major in Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at OSU (Corvallis or Cascades Campus) with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development and Education. Students who will be juniors or seniors during the 2003-2004 school year are encouraged to apply. HDFS graduates who have been accepted into the Early Intervention or Elementary Special Education Licensure Programs at the U of O or WOU may also apply for support during their graduate year.

While at OSU, Rural Links participants will take one additional course beyond the core ECDE requirements and attend three evening seminars per year. The special course and evening seminars will be available by video conferencing to enable Central Oregon students to participate. Rural Links participants will also complete a practicum with infants or children with multiple disabilities, visual or hearing impairment, autism, or traumatic brain injury. All participants and faculty will attend a three to five day summer institute, dealing with a current important issue in early intervention and special education. Rural Links will prepare students to become licensed teachers for infants and children up to age 12 who have disabilities, and their families. The program especially encourages applications from residents of rural areas, people of color, persons with disabilities, and individuals who are economically disadvantaged.

Student Stipends

Applicants accepted into Rural Links will receive a stipend of $8,500 per year for three years. The stipend is intended to cover tuition, books, and some living expenses. Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and positive support from references. Recipients must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completing this program of study and co-curricular experiences by maintaining at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average.

Students who receive stipends must subsequently provide full time special education and/or related services to infants or children with disabilities for a period of two years for every year for which assistance was received. The service obligation begins after the recipient completes training and must be completed within the number of years of required service (2 years per year of assistance) plus an additional three years. Recipients who do not satisfy their service obligation must pay back the stipend to the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Selection Procedures

The Rural Links Management Team will determine stipend recipients. Criteria for awarding stipends include a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in related courses. Applicants must also

Complete the application.
Write a cover letter to accompany the application.
Write a three page summary that addresses the applicant's reasons for entering the field of Early Intervention, Special Education, or a related service field (as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), your qualifications, and your future career plans.
Ask three people who know you well (preferably including at least one professor and one work supervisor) to write letters of support. The best way to do this is to have the letters sent to you in sealed envelopes, signed by the writer over the glued closure. Given the timing of this first application process, it will be important to avoid vacations in requesting letters.
Send all materials as soon as possible. They must be received by August 15. Each applicant's materials must be sent in one packet to:

Rural Links
Drs. Sharon Rosenkoetter and Linda Burt
Human Development and Family Sciences
Oregon State University
322 Milam Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-5102
541-737-8529 or 541-737-8902 (phone)
541-737-1076 (fax)
sharon.rosenkoetter@oregonstate.edu or burtli@oregonstate.edu


	Limit results to this site.		Health and Human Sciences » Human Development and Family Sciences » Rural-Links Rural Links Information Rural Links Open House 2005: Word or Adobe Funding Abstract Brochure: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF Application Information: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF Project Summary: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF Newsletter: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF Forging special links OSU students exposed to rural schools, special needs students. Gazette Times article - May 9, 2005. Description of the Program The United States Department of Education (USDE) has identified a serious shortage in Oregon and adjacent states of personnel specifically trained to serve (a) families of infants and toddlers with disabilities or significant developmental delays, (b) preschool-aged children with disabilities and their families, and (c) older children through fifth grade with significant and multiple disabilities. These shortages are especially acute in rural areas. Qualified personnel are needed--in sufficient number, with targeted preparation in philosophy and strategies for their age group, and with knowledge and skills for relating to rural families and service systems. Accordingly, USDE has provided scholarship funds to Oregon State University (OSU) and its partners, the University of Oregon (U of O) and Western Oregon University (WOU), to support the preparation for teacher or therapist licensure of future early interventionists and special educators or related service personnel. Please read carefully the conditions of program participation (described below) before submitting an application. Undergraduates will major in Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at OSU (Corvallis or Cascades Campus) with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development and Education. Students who will be juniors or seniors during the 2003-2004 school year are encouraged to apply. HDFS graduates who have been accepted into the Early Intervention or Elementary Special Education Licensure Programs at the U of O or WOU may also apply for support during their graduate year. While at OSU, Rural Links participants will take one additional course beyond the core ECDE requirements and attend three evening seminars per year. The special course and evening seminars will be available by video conferencing to enable Central Oregon students to participate. Rural Links participants will also complete a practicum with infants or children with multiple disabilities, visual or hearing impairment, autism, or traumatic brain injury. All participants and faculty will attend a three to five day summer institute, dealing with a current important issue in early intervention and special education. Rural Links will prepare students to become licensed teachers for infants and children up to age 12 who have disabilities, and their families. The program especially encourages applications from residents of rural areas, people of color, persons with disabilities, and individuals who are economically disadvantaged. Student Stipends Applicants accepted into Rural Links will receive a stipend of $8,500 per year for three years. The stipend is intended to cover tuition, books, and some living expenses. Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and positive support from references. Recipients must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completing this program of study and co-curricular experiences by maintaining at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Students who receive stipends must subsequently provide full time special education and/or related services to infants or children with disabilities for a period of two years for every year for which assistance was received. The service obligation begins after the recipient completes training and must be completed within the number of years of required service (2 years per year of assistance) plus an additional three years. Recipients who do not satisfy their service obligation must pay back the stipend to the U.S. Secretary of Education. Selection Procedures The Rural Links Management Team will determine stipend recipients. Criteria for awarding stipends include a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in related courses. Applicants must also Complete the application. Write a cover letter to accompany the application. Write a three page summary that addresses the applicant's reasons for entering the field of Early Intervention, Special Education, or a related service field (as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), your qualifications, and your future career plans. Ask three people who know you well (preferably including at least one professor and one work supervisor) to write letters of support. The best way to do this is to have the letters sent to you in sealed envelopes, signed by the writer over the glued closure. Given the timing of this first application process, it will be important to avoid vacations in requesting letters. Send all materials as soon as possible. They must be received by August 15. Each applicant's materials must be sent in one packet to: Rural Links Drs. Sharon Rosenkoetter and Linda Burt Human Development and Family Sciences Oregon State University 322 Milam Hall Corvallis, OR 97331-5102 541-737-8529 or 541-737-8902 (phone) 541-737-1076 (fax) sharon.rosenkoetter@oregonstate.edu or burtli@oregonstate.edu