Arkansas does not yet provide Interveners.

We need your help.

Here is what is happening across the nation.

 

National credentialing is available for interveners, which is a logical, and critical, extension from current in-service, state training models that currently exist for Interveners.  

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The National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals (NRCP) will issue the credential to those who meet the requirements.

 

The requirements for obtaining the National Intervener Credential include:

• A minimum of 10 hours of credited coursework from an Institution of Higher Education (university or college).  This coursework must include a supervised practicum experience.

• A Practicum experience (minimum of 2 credit hours) under the supervision of the course instructor and the guidance of a trained Intervener Coach.  This practicum includes a minimum of 100 hours of contact time with a child who is deafblind and a minimum of 3 coaching sessions.

• A completed Intervener Portfolio based on the National Intervener Competencies which provides documentation that the intervener has acquired the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective intervener.

 

At this point, Utah State University is the only University or college to meet The National Resource Center for Paraprofessional’s requirements for credentialing, although the expectation is that other universities and colleges will demonstrate interest in offering coursework towards certification.  However, the coursework offered through Utah State University is online, making it pragmatic for students regardless of geographic location.

 

There are fees associated with the coursework at Utah State, depending on whether or not the courses are taken for credit or non-credit.  Tuition information can be found on the Training/Credential page.  Once you have met all the requirements (coursework, practicum, portfolio, etc.) a $100 processing fee, payable to the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals, is required prior to receipt of the credential itself.

 

A credential from the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals (NRCP) means the individual has demonstrated both knowledge and skills in the competencies established for interveners in the field of Deafblindness.

 

Since salaries are determined by employers and depend on numerous factors, credentialed Interveners may or may not be paid more by their employer.   There is no guarantee of a salary increase once training is completed. The establishment of a National Intervener Credential will assist administrators and educational systems in recognizing the value that skilled interveners bring to students and families, and perhaps result in better pay.

 

It is not always necessary for Interveners to know sign language. Many children and youth who are Deafblind are not ‘symbolic communicators’, meaning that they may not use sign language or other forms of conventional communication.  Understanding how a child communicates expressively and receptively is an important part of the coursework received as part of this program.

 

Applicants begin the process by enrolling in coursework offered through Utah State University.  Contact them for complete coursework information.

 

The information above was derived from the Intervener website.