The Sherlock Center’s Early Intervention (EI) Training and Technical Assistance Project has collaborated with the University of Rhode Island to develop a certificate program designed to prepare students for a career in EI.
Developed by EI professionals who teach at Rhode Island College and URI, this five-course certificate program prepares students to work with families of children from birth to age 3 who have or are at risk for developmental disabilities. Students will learn how to work with families and other health professionals to ensure these children grow and develop as best as they can.
EI programs can provisionally hire students who complete the certificate courses as an Early Interventionist II. This status will become permanent after they complete 1,000 supervised work hours, which can include internship hours, and pass the initial probationary review.
The 16-credit program, which is open to all URI students, is designed to be completed in as little as one academic year.
Casey McGregor, assistant professor in URI’s Department of Human Development and Family Science, said the goal of all EI staff is to help children and their families thrive whenever there is a disability or risk for developing a disability. "It is not a program just for the child; it’s for the entire family," she said.