Lifelong learning is essential to those involved in Early Intervention (EI), both seasoned EI
professionals and students new to the EI system. By participating in opportunities to learn
and grow we enrich our work. Specifically, we strengthen our ability to support the dreams
and aspirations of families. By building our knowledge and skills we are better able to
enhance the ability of families to encourage and celebrate the development of their babies
and toddlers. The Shishmanian Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to obtain
assistance for further professional development.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health
is pleased to announce the Shishmanian Fellowship awards
to support
senior practitioners
to expand their knowledge and skills in an area of interest
Applications Due
October 16, 2015
Eunice Shishmanian
Visionary and Teacher
Up to eight fellowships awarded each year honor Eunice Shishmanian, whose vision and dedication
to the needs of very young children and their families internationally serve as a model for all of us.
As a nurse, Eunice has devoted her career to Maternal Child Health initiatives and has been a leader
in supporting families who have children experiencing developmental challenges. As the first chair
of the Massachusetts Early Intervention Interagency Coordinating Council, Eunice helped shape the
foundation for a system which continues to individualize supports and services to young children
and their families. Eunice is a former member of the interdisciplinary faculty team at Northeastern
University, preparing students in five disciplines to be Early Intervention specialists.
The Shishmanian Fellowships are funded by Early Intervention Services, Division for Perinatal,
Early Childhood and Special Health Needs at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
SENIOR PRACTITIONERS
Senior Practitioner Fellowships provide experienced Early Intervention specialists with
resources to enhance their professional development. Applicants may propose enrollment
in a course; a demonstration project, an apprenticeship related to the needs of young
children and their families, or another mode of directed learning to expand their
knowledge and skills in a particular area of Early Intervention. Applicants may apply as
individuals or as a collaborative group.
The primary goal of these fellowships is for senior practitioners to take advantage of
professional development opportunities, and, secondarily, to share new learning at his or
her Early Intervention program, or with the broader EI community. DPH encourages
professional development that includes a well-established model and that is relevant to EI
services.
Fellowships of up to $2,000 each will be granted for use from December 2015 through May
2016. The majority of the funds must be used for course or conference costs, and
materials. The remainder must be used for activities and/or resources that support the
sharing of learning. Funds cannot be used for capital improvements or purchase of
equipment or furniture and are taxable to the recipient. (See p. 4 below for restrictions
on use of funds.)
Who can apply?
An individual with a minimum five years of experience in Early Intervention, or a group of
up to five individuals whose lead practitioner has at least five years of experience in Early
Intervention may apply. Applications without a lead senior practitioner with five years
experience in MA EI will not be reviewed. The lead applicant must work in MA EI 20 hours
or more per week.
Other team members may include both junior and senior practitioners. Recipients must
make a commitment to continue to work in the Massachusetts Early Intervention system
for at least one year after the completion of their Fellowships.
If the Fellowship involves specific training for team members, Fellows may apply for
competency education credits (CECs) to be used to document Entry 1 competency
indicators in CEIS 2012.
How do I apply?
This application must be word-processed, and can be completed electronically.
However, do NOT submit electronically; applicants must send one complete copy by
mail to EITC at the address below.
Describe your project by answering the following questions:
1. Provide a one-paragraph description of your project. List three outcomes of your
project.
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
2. How will the project benefit you, as well as young children, families, colleagues, and
community collaborators?
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
3. How will families be involved in the project?
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
4. How will your project promote family-centered services?
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
5. If an apprenticeship is proposed, describe the goals and outcomes (include a letter
from the proposed preceptor outlining content and time commitment).
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
6. For coursework or training, state the training title, instructor, duration, and
description.
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
7. How will applicant and team apply new learning to practice?
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
8. How will new learning be disseminated within the EI program or to the broader EI
community?
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
9. What is the timeline for professional development and sharing of learning?
Enter text here; text limit 1250 characters
On what may Shishmanian Senior Practitioner Fellowship
funds be spent?
Shishmanian funds may be spent on:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Participation by team members in professional development as a learner;
Related materials;
Costs of dissemination of new learning, including space rental up to a total of $200;
Release time to a total of $100 per person;
Copying costs up to $200.
Shishmanian Funds may not be spent on:
1. Capital improvements or purchase of equipment or furniture
2. Food
3. Production of electronic media such as videos, DVDs, CDs
How will applications be reviewed?
Applications are reviewed by a team that may include personnel preparation programs,
families currently or recently involved with Early Intervention, and the Department of
Public Health. Applications are rated for content, relevance to the field, enhanced
collaboration, innovation and dissemination. Reviewers look for clarity and feasibility.
What are the reporting requirements of this Fellowship?
At the conclusion of your experience, you will be required to submit to the MA DPH a brief
written report summarizing your experience and how it met your professional
development goals.
TIMELINE:
October 16, 2015
applications due
December, 2015
awards announced
May 2016
final written reports due. Reporting may also include a poster session
or workshop presentation at the conference of the Massachusetts
Early Intervention Consortium, or a presentation at the Interagency
Coordinating Council (ICC).
What types of projects have been previously funded?
Some examples among the many Senior Practitioner projects funded in previous years
include support for:

training in infant massage;

assisted communication applications;

A music therapy curriculum;

The SCERTS model for assisting children with ASD and their families.
Senior Practitioners
Required Materials
Application Cover Sheet, signed
Narrative answers to nine questions (limited to 1250 characters per question)
Budget Form detailing expenses up to $2,000
Current resumes of lead practitioner and team collaborators
Letters of commitment from any collaborators outside of your program
A letter from a supervisor or program director, clearly supporting the concept of the project
and the qualifications of the applicant
A letter clearly supporting the concept of the project from a family who has received
Intervention supports and services from the lead applicant
Early
Letter from your program director documenting your length of employment in Early
Intervention.
Note:


Awards cannot be used for capital improvements, purchase of equipment or furniture, purchase of food, or
production of electronic media
Awards are considered taxable income; if awarded, you will need to provide EITC with your social security number
or other federal tax identification number in order that a 1099 can be issued.
Mail one complete application by October 16, 2015 to:
Emily Webb
Metro Boston Regional Health Office
Donovan Health Building
5 Randolph Street
Canton, MA 02021
781-774-6700 (F)
Emily.Webb@state.ma.us
Senior Practitioner
Application
Name of
Lead Practitioner
Years in MA Early
Intervention
Current hours per week
worked in MA EI
Name(s) of other
Team Collaborators
EI Program of
Lead Practitioner
Address
Telephone
Fax
Email
Other
Community Collaborators
One sentence description of
the proposed project
I agree to continue to work in the Early Intervention system in Massachusetts for at least
one year following the completion of my Shishmanian Fellowship.
Signature of Lead Applicant
Date
Shishmanian Senior Practitioner
Fellowship Application
Budget Form
Description of
Expense:
Cost per Item
Total
Professional
Development:
Course Tuition (name of
course)
Conference/workshop
Cost
Travel
Release time (up to $100
per participant)
Mentor or consultant fees
$ per hour:
Admin. Support:
Sharing of New
Learning:
Space Rental
*Materials (List)
Cost per day:
Other:
Project Total:
$
*These may include books, curricula, software upgrade, printing, or copying. (Awards
cannot be used for capital improvements, purchase of equipment or furniture, food or production of
media such as videos, DVDs, or CDs.)