Appendix 2: Letters of Support: a. UMass Boston Entities. b. State Agencies. c. Subcontractor. d. EI programs. e. Community Colleges

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1 Appendix 2: Letters of Support: a. UMass Boston Entities b. State Agencies c. Subcontractor d. EI programs e. Community Colleges.325K UMass Boston EI Scholars

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4 UNIVERSITY of MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON 100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA Institute for Community Inclusion (617) Fax: (617) TTY: (617) May 20, 2011 Office of Special Education Programs U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW PCP 4106 Washington, DC To Whom It May Concern, I am pleased to support the University of Massachusetts Boston s Personnel Preparation Grant Proposal for Early Intervention, entitled UMass Boston Early Intervention Scholars Program. This grant represents the cooperative effort of staff from the Institute for Community Inclusion and faculty from the College of Education and Human Development. The project will prepare qualified Early Intervention Developmental Specialist for Boston and neighboring urban centers. The mission of the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) is to support the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community. This project will prepare EI specialist to work with children from birth to three in all their settings: at home, in child care and Early Head Start. We bring to this grant our experience of working on federal grants, knowledge of applying universal design for learning in higher education, and an existing, strong partnership with the diverse urban community. Since 2003, ICI has partnered with the College of Education and Human Development as they have developed their Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings bachelor s degree. We are excited about the prospect partnering on the development an early intervention specialty within their existing Early Childhood bachelor s degree. Sincerely, William E. Kiernan William E. Kiernan, Ph.D. Director and Research Professor

5 May 18, 2011 Office of Special Education Programs U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW PCP 4106 Washington, DC To Whom It May Concern, I am delighted to write this letter in support of the University of Massachusetts-Boston Personnel Preparation Grant Proposal for Early Intervention, entitled UMass Boston Early Intervention Scholars Program. I am excited about supporting the Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings Bachelor s Degree Program to increase the number of highly qualified and diverse graduates who will be hired to work in the Early Intervention Program. The primary purpose of the Early Intervention Scholars Program application is to increase the number of early intervention providers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the Boston metropolitan area and to ensure those provides receive a high quality education to serve a diverse group of children in early intervention. Given the diversity of the families who are participating in the Early Intervention program in Massachusetts (MA), it is critical to train providers who are prepared to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of these families. Having worked with several MA Early Intervention programs on multiple research and clinical awareness initiatives focused on young children s mental health needs and early identification of autism spectrum disorders, I strongly endorse this proposal. My experience with early intervention providers in MA has been extremely positive. In particular, and I have been consistently impressed with the high level of training and knowledge regarding young children s development as well as sophistication regarding services for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I believe that this proposal will lend additional resources and strengths to the MA early intervention workforce. The new Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings is attracting very strong, culturally and linguistically diverse students and providing rigorous training so that these students are prepared to meet and exceed the Early Intervention Competencies as defined by the Department of Public Health. Specifically, their preparation includes both coursework and a rigorous internship of 600 hours over two semesters in which they are working with diverse children and families. I am currently collaborating with faculty in the UMass Boston Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings Bachelor s Degree Program and have been impressed with the level of scholarship, commitment to the university s urban diversity mission, strong community partnerships and engagement, and the quality of education offered to students in this program. Located within the public university in Boston, which is an urban, minority-serving institution of higher education, the Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings program is uniquely positioned to successfully recruit and prepare diverse students for careers in Early Intervention. I offer my most enthusiastic support and endorsement of this proposal and am eager to lend my expertise to ensure its success. Thank you for your consideration of this important proposal, which will enhance the lives of many currently underserved children and families. Sincerely, Alice S. Carter, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology

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10 May 18, 2011 Office of Special Education Programs U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW PCP 4106 Washington, DC To Whom It May Concern, I am delighted to write in support of the University of Massachusetts-Boston Personnel Preparation Grant Proposal for Early Intervention, entitled UMass Boston Early Intervention Scholars Program. The University of Massachusetts Boston and its Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings (EECIS) Bachelor s Degree Program have already made significant contributions to the professional growth of early education and care professionals. We fully support this proposal to increase the number of early intervention providers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the Boston metropolitan area, because it will ensure that those providers receive a high quality education to prepare them to provide Early Intervention services to an equally diverse population of children and families. As an urban, minority-serving institution of higher education, UMass Boston in uniquely positioned to successfully recruit and prepare diverse students for careers in Early Intervention. Supporting the healthy development of all children, especially those in Early Intervention, is integral to the Department of Early Education and Care s (EEC) mission. Massachusetts Early Intervention programs support children from diverse backgrounds and of diverse abilities across the state, and need specialists who are well trained and skilled in meeting needs of an increasingly diverse children and families. The EECIS program at UMass Boston provides a high level of quality not only by preparing bachelor s degree students to meet the Early Intervention Competencies as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), but also by integrating the Core Competencies for Early Education and Out of School Time Educators developed EEC. The students in this program will be well prepared to work in the field and will have completed a rigorous internship of 600 hours over two semesters working specifically with diverse children and their families. The graduates of the existing EECIS program have already demonstrated the effectiveness of this comprehensive approach. EEC recognizes the importance of an integrated degree program that educates early childhood education professionals and early intervention developmental specialists together if we are to build a comprehensive system of care and continuum of services for young children and their families in the state. EEC has partnered with UMass Boston in the past and we are impressed by the University s mission, its strong community engagement, and the quality of the education it provides. Our recent collaborations include the development of on-line survey course on EEC s Core Competencies that helps early educators self-assess their professional growth and identify areas that could benefit from additional professional development. Under development is a course on early literacy and language acquisition. In addition, EEC has contracted with UMass Boston to evaluate its developing Educator and Provider 51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA Phone: Fax: commissioners.office@state.ma.us

11 Support (EPS) system that provides the early education and out of school time workforce with professional development, coaching and mentoring and competency development. If funded, this program will expand Massachusetts capacity to serve its diverse children and families. We support UMass Boston s efforts and look forward to working with them to increase the diversity of the early intervention workforce. Sincerely, Sherri Killins, Commissioner

12 May 23, 2011 Board of Directors President James Whalen Treasurer Peter Brennan Clerk Miryam Wiley Members Deborah Allen Emanuel Alves, Esq. Sarah Commerford Steve Deschenes Daniel T. S. Heffernan William Henderson Anne Howard Randi Sargent Patricia Schram, M.D. Executive Director Richard J. Robison Angela Stone-MacDonald, Ph.D. Mary Lu Love, M.S. Anne Douglass, Ph.D. Department of Curriculum and Instruction Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings (EECIS) University of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA Dear Colleagues, It is with much enthusiasm that I write in support of your proposal for a Personnel Preparation Grant for Early Intervention from the US Department of Education. As Executive Director of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, I know the importance of highly qualified, well-trained personnel to provide services to the families of young children with disabilities within the early intervention system here in Massachusetts. It is imperative that early intervention personnel reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of families in our communities in order to better reach out and partner with them when providing needed services. I believe that your proposed Early Intervention Scholars Program will help to increase the number of well-trained diverse providers to serve our families. The Federation for Children with Special Needs (Federation) is recognized statewide and nationally as a pioneering organization that advocates for quality education, strong parent participation and access to quality health care services for all children, especially those with disabilities. Federation staff work in the areas of children s health, parental involvement, early intervention, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), basic rights, inclusion and transition/self-determination. The Federation plays a pivotal role in the dissemination of information and training to parents and families in English, Spanish, Chinese and Portuguese. Throughout its 37 year history, the Federation has worked to reach out to economically and culturally diverse families in need of supports and services to enhance educational, health, and community participation opportunities for children and families. The Federation is eager to collaborate with the proposed Early Intervention Scholars Program to ensure that family-centered services are an integral part of all aspects of the program. The Federation is willing to review all proposed curriculum and course work, facilitate the recruitment of family members to present their stories and experiences to students, serve on an advisory group for the new program and help to ensure that family members also serve in this advisory capacity Tremont Street, Suite 420 * Boston, Massachusetts * (617) * Fax (617) * In-state toll free (800) * Western Massachusetts (413) * Western Massachusetts toll free (866)

13 The Federation has collaborated in the past with UMass Boston, especially with its Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings (EECIS) Bachelor s Degree Program. The commitment and dedication of this institution of higher education to offer high quality educational opportunities for students in early education and care and to partner with community organizations to enrich their programs is commendable. This urban, minority-serving institution has a very successful track record of recruiting and retaining diverse students. If funded, this proposed Early Intervention Scholars Program will greatly enhance the number of well-trained diverse early interventionists to serve our most vulnerable young children and their families in Massachusetts. Good luck in your application. We at the Federation wish you much success. Please contact me if I can be of any service to you in this application process. Sincerely, Richard J. Robison Executive Director

14 May 26, 2011 Dr. Zong-Guo Xia Vice Provost for Research & Strategic Initiatives University of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA Dear Dr. Xia, The Federation for Children with special needs (Federation) proposes to participate in the project Early Intervention Scholars Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Sub Grantee Information: Principal Investigator: Richard Robison Department: Administration Phone: (617) Period of Performance: September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2016 Direct Costs: $23,150 Indirect Costs: $ 1,850 Total: $25,000 The appropriate program and administrative personnel of the Federation involved in this application are aware of the sponsoring agency s guidelines and are prepared to establish the necessary interinstitutional agreement(s). The Federation makes all applicable assurances/certifications. Sincerely yours, Richard J. Robison Executive Director 1135 Tremont Street * Boston, Massachusetts * (617) * Fax (617) * In-state toll free (800) * Western Massachusetts (413)

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24 May 26, 2011 It is my pleasure to write this letter of support for the Early Intervention Scholars Program through the University of Massachusetts Boston. North Shore Community College looks forward to supporting the University in this exciting endeavor. North Shore Community College s Early Childhood Education department has been establishing linkages and articulation agreements with our regional four-year institutions of higher education for many years and has created a strong and successful relationship with the University of Massachusetts Boston for transfer students who are interested in continuing their education beyond their Associate s degree. There is a tremendous need for culturally and linguistically diverse educators and early intervention specialists throughout the Greater Boston area. North Shore Community College embraces students from various backgrounds and is determined to increase the number of high quality, well educated early childhood practitioners in the workforce. Through the Early Intervention Scholar s Program, we will be able to encourage diverse students, particularly those in our Special Needs and Infant/Toddler certificate programs, to continue their education through the University of Massachusetts Boston. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal. Sincerely, Kathryn A. Gallo Kathryn A. Gallo, M.Ed. Director Region 3 Professional Development Partnership X6249 kgallo@northshore.edu

25 tue MnSSBAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE {.'tiehrnting 5{} t'e$rs o.f e-ute {lexct. Office of Special Education Programs U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW PCP 4106 Washington, DC May,26,2011 To Whom It May Concern, I am pleased to write this letter in support of the University of Massachusetts-Boston Personnel Preparation Grant Proposal for Early Intervention, entitled "flmass Boston Early Intervention Scholars Program." Vwe are very pleased to collaborate with/support the University of Massachusetts Boston and its Early Education and Care in Inclusive Bachelor's Degree Program to increase the number of highty qualified and diverse graduates who will be hired to work in the Early Intervention Program. The primary puq)ose of the Early Intervention Scholars Program application is to increase the number of early intervention providers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the Boston metropolitan area and to ensure those provides receive a high quahty education to serve a diverse group of children in early intervention. We flrlly support this goal and pledge our support to help you increase the mrmber of well-trained diverse providers in the area. MassBay Community College prepa.res early childhood educators at the Certificate and Associate's degree levels and would be pleased to encourage our graduates to take advantage of the EI Scholars program to earn a bachelor's degree and take up this important work in urban communities. We have collaborated/parhrered with llmass Boston in the past and are impressed by the university's mission, its commitrnent community parhrerships and engagement, and the quality of its education. As an urban, minority-serving institution of higher education, LIMass Boston in uniquely positioned to successfirlly recruit and prepare diverse students for careers in Early Intervention. Our organization is pleased to support this grant proposal to increase the number of early intervention providers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the Boston metropolitan area and to ensure those providers receive a high quality education to prepare them to serve the diverse children and families in Early Intervention. We support llmass Boston's eflorts and look forward to working together to increase the diversity of the early intervention workforce. Sincerely, V^-4 th /e.,"^* \ LindaM. Romero Chair, Early Childhood Education Department MassBay Community College WtsLLESLEYHILLS CAMPUS 50 Oakland Street Wellesley Hills, M A tel: fx: FRAMINGHAM CAMPUS 19 Flagg Drive Framingham, M A te1: fu: AUTOM OTIVE TECHNOLO GY CENTER 250 Eliot Street Ashland, MA tel: fu: zozovs.tnassbay.edu