College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS) $1,249,671 to launch Project THRIVE (Training to support High-intensity needs via Responsive, Interdisciplinary, and Vital Engagement). This initiative is designed to prepare future school psychologists and special educators to collaboratively serve school-age children with high-intensity needs. Faculty from the from the School of Leadership and Professional Studies, the Department of Psychology, and the School of Teacher Education will contribute to Project THRIVE.

Funded through the Department of Education's Interdisciplinary Preparation of Early Intervention, Special Education, and Related Services Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs program, Project THRIVE will train 20 graduate students over five years through an innovative interdisciplinary approach.

The project’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Ellen Casale (Assistant Professor, Educational Administration and Special Education), and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), Dr. Sarah Bonis (Associate Professor, Psychology) will lead Project THRIVE. An interdisciplinary team from WKU’s School Psychology and Special Education programs will prepare professionals to meet the complex learning and behavioral needs of students with significant disabilities. Project THRIVE will allow WKU to provide a level of preparation, mentorship, and collaboration that mirrors the realities of today’s schools. Dr. Casale says, “By training school psychologists and special educators side-by-side, we’re building the next generation of professionals who can work together to ensure every student with complex needs can thrive.”

Students with high-intensity needs include those with significant cognitive impairments, autism, multiple disabilities, or developmental delays who require intensive, individualized supports. Project THRIVE scholars will experience shared coursework, collaborative clinical experiences, expert-led seminars, and paired field placements in high-need school districts.

Project THRIVE funding will primarily provide student support, including tuition, travel, and professional development opportunities. Scholars will be paired with mentors and engage in both local and national networks that sustain their growth and collaboration beyond graduation. The goal of Project THRIVE is to increase the number of qualified professionals in the field and to strengthen the quality of preparation. Project THRIVE facilitates essential collaboration between school psychology and special education to effectively meet the needs of students with high-intensity disabilities.

The total cost Project THRIVE is 100% federally funded with no non-governmental sources.

Through Project THRIVE, WKU continues its commitment to empowering educators and advancing inclusive practices that improve outcomes for children with disabilities across Kentucky and beyond. CEBS Dean, Dr. Corinne Murphy, says, “Our community and local school continue to face a significant shortfall of qualified personnel ready to provide intensive interventions necessary to support individuals with complex learning needs. The Department of Education funding affords WKU the opportunity to partner with our local schools, elevating our community’s ability to serve all.”

For more information about the departments involved with Project THRIVE, visit https://www.wku.edu/slps/, https://www.wku.edu/ste/sped.php, and https://www.wku.edu/psychology/eds_school.php.