Request for Proposals
WVATS Mini-grant Opportunities for West Virginia Classrooms

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YOU ARE HERE:  WVATS Home   RFPs for WV Classrooms

Why is WVATS offering mini-grants to classrooms?
The West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) is federally funded to promote access to and acquisition of assistive technology. To help meet its federal requirements, WVATS will provide mini-grants for public schools or RESA staff using assistive technology to improve outcomes for students with IEPs or 504 plans.

What can the funds be used for?
WVATS will provide funding for new projects developing innovative or creative uses of assistive technology for:

• Supporting inclusive educational environments
• Inventing/creating or modifying assistive technology to improve educational outcomes for students
• Improving social outcomes for students, including recreation, art or other extracurricular activities
• Implementing strategies to support assistive technology following the students through transitions during school and from school to adult life
• Other, please specify

Funds WILL NOT be provided for:

• Continuation of existing projects or repeating a past project
• Assistive technology already required for a student to receive a FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education)
• Field trips, bus transportation, payment for services, such as bus drivers
• School supplies that are a normal part of the classroom for students with disabilities
• Teacher training or to pay honoraria

Who is eligible?

• Mini-grants are available to teachers, personnel and RESA staff who are part of the West Virginia Public School System.
• The project activity must directly involve and benefit the students.
• If the applicant has previously won a mini-grant from WVATS, the final reports of all previous projects must be submitted before to applying for another mini-grant, unless other arrangements were made with WVATS.

How much?
Awards will be up to $750. Ten to fifteen projects will be selected based on the completeness of the application, creativity of the project and the clarity of outcomes.

Who will review the applications?
A review committee from the WVATS Advisory Council and WVATS staff will review and select projects for funding.

When can we apply?
You can apply by completing the application and submitting it by August 15, 2008.

What are the time lines?
You will be notified by September 15, 2008 if your project is selected for implementation. Projects can begin on October 1, 2008 and extend to May 15, 2009.

How do we apply?
Complete the application
Mail, fax or e-mail the application by August 15 to:
Jamie L. Hayhurst-Marshall
WVATS
959 Hartman Run Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Fax: 304-293-7294
E-mail: jhayhurst@hsc.wvu.edu

Expectations:
Recipients will be expected to:

• Collaborate with WVATS project staff in collecting data about the project
• Submit a final written report using a format furnished by WVATS

Helpful Hints:

For your proposal:

• State ideas clearly and concisely, and provide factual support
• Focus on the needs you will be meeting or problems you will be solving and the benefits to the students
• Identify the key elements of the goals, activities and outcomes of your project
• Clearly state how the students will be actively involved in the project

   For writing measurable goals/objectives:

• Identify who is involved - the children or school staff whose behaviors, knowledge, and/or skills are to be changed as a result of the program
• Identify the desired outcomes - the intended behavior, knowledge, and/or skill changes that should result from the program or activities
• Address how the progress will be measured - identify the tool or device that will be used to measure the expected changes - this could include: surveys, tests/assessments, incidence of behavior, student log, etc.
• Identify the proficiency/criteria for success
• Identify the time frame for success

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Goal:   Student will read 240 words on a personalized word list of survival sight words with 85% accuracy by May 25, 2009.
Objective:   By September 1, 2008 Marta will demonstrate the ability to correctly read the following survival words by pointing to the correct written word when it is read aloud: exit, push, pull, Women's, Ladies, washroom, Information, with 80% accuracy as reported on weekly vocabulary tests.
Who:   Marta
How measured:   reported on weekly vocabulary tests
What:   demonstrate the ability to read the seven listed survival words by pointing to the correct written word when it is read aloud
Proficiency:   80% accuracy
When: by April 15, 2008

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For writing the budget:

• Use the budget page to list all items and the cost of each
• Identify funding needs being met by the grant and those being met by other sources

Questions or Clarification:

If you have questions or need more assistance in completing the application, please call Jamie L. Hayhurst-Marshall at 304-293-4692 ext. 1141 or e-mail her at jhayhurst@hsc.wvu.edu

Grant funding information and applications are available in alternate formats and online at WVATS

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Center for Excellence in Disabilities
West Virginia University
959 Hartman Run Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: 304-293-4692
877-724-8244 or TTY: 800-518-1448
Email: contact@cedwvu.org