Outreach efforts maintain the SKI-HI Institute mission. Our programs are now being used nationwide, in Canada, and in South Africa. SKI-HI Institute projects help build awareness of disabilities and of programs which assist people with disabilities. The projects offer information and training for professionals and family members. The projects work through state coordinators of early intervention and early childhood education, state staff development coordinators, state schools for the deaf and the blind, and consumer groups to bring their programs into each state and implement them.

Direct service providers across a state are targeted for training in the particular SKI-HI Institute programs selected by that state. The training models vary from basic training of direct service providers to further preparing experienced providers to train others. Most training is conducted in participating states and some take place at the SKI-HI Institute in Logan, Utah. There are two choices of formats for basic training. The first involves only on-site training at a central location. The second uses a combination of on-site with distance education (e.g., homestudy, E-mail, phone).

Initially, training is conducted by national trainers who are employed by the SKI-HI Institute. These trainers live in various parts of the country and are experienced in the use of the model program they are teaching. These individuals work closely with the lead agencies in the state that is receiving training. Over time, the SKI-HI Institute helps the state choose from among its trained direct service providers a team that will train new service providers as needed. These prospective training team members are prepared and certified by the SKI-HI Institute to conduct basic training in their state. In this way, local capacity is built.

SKI-HI Institute projects provide technical assistance and ongoing support to the states implementing Institute programs through the use of newsletters, additional on-site visits, phone calls, and regional conferences. The regional conferences are jointly supported and organized by state programs for sensory impairment in a particular region, the American Association for Home-Based Early Interventionists (AAHBEI), and the SKI-HI Institute. Sessions for administrators and direct-service providers of early intervention/childhood programs and programs for young children with sensory impairments are held at these conferences. The SKI-HI Institute also helps link users of its models from one state to another as needed and requested. The Institute takes advantage of its network of users to assist in the development of new materials and programs.

A listing of all current SKI-HI Institute projects can be found by selecting the Projects button. From there, more detailed information about each project can be accessed.

  

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