Project BLENDS

Project BLENDS is an interdisciplinary, advanced training program designed to prepare graduates in four related service disciplines to work collaboratively to support infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children with high intensity social-emotional needs and their families. This 5-year initiative is supported by a $1.13 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs, which will help support 32 graduate students working toward an advanced degree in one of four programs: the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and the Masters in Social Work. All scholars receive financial support for tuition, books, conference travel, and more. 

Project Goals

• Recruit and retain 32 high-quality scholars to participate in Project BLENDS
• Prepare four cohorts (2022-2026) of related service personnel (OT, SLP, SWK, counselors, or BCBAs) with the knowledge and skills to use cross-discipline evidence-based practices (EBPs) to work with young children and their families
• Train scholars to demonstrate knowledge and skills across the four project competency areas (interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination, family-centered practices, evidence-based practices, and interdisciplinary professionalism) with foundations in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH)
• Train scholars to implement high quality, interdisciplinary services using EBPs for young children with high-intensity social-emotional needs
• Assist scholars in obtaining employment to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers who experience high-intensity social-emotional needs and provide 1-year of Reflective Supervision for each cohort

Collaboration 

Project BLENDS is a collaborative project between four University of Alaska Anchorage graduate programs: Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, and Master of Social Work. UAA is the only institution in the state to provide accredited graduate programs in these four disciplines. 

 

 

 

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