[Utah_ahead] FW: Re: Grants

Fri Sep 21 15:04:14 EDT 2007

AHEAD friends,
I think that there is some confusion regarding the funding for interpreters and the funding for interpreter training programs.  The funding from HB 145 was to provide additional funding for interpreter training programs.  The RFP that was issued stated that applicants must have a currently established interpreter training program. USU does not have an interpreter training program and never has had an interpreter training program. USU has a program to train Educators for the Deaf. The Deaf Ed program offers a few sign classes, but does not include interpreter preparation.

I believe that what Julie is asking for is information on the funding that was appropriated to pay wages for classroom interpreters. Since this $1m ongoing fund was approved by the legislature there had not been any information shared with the institutions on how we can access this money so we can actually hire the needed interpreters. USU was sued for not having enough certified interpreters.

Recent graduates from interpreter training programs are not generally ready for post secondary interpreting-- it takes some years for an interpreter to reach proficiency and it costs quite a bit to hire them-- often they need to be recruited from out-of-state so we have to offer a competitive salary and benefit package. We all need to encourage our budget officers to work with the Commissioners office so that we can request the funds we need for certified, qualified interpreters.
Diane

Diane Craig Baum M.S., CRC
Director and ADA Coordinator
Disability Resource Center
Utah State University
0101 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84321
435-797-2444
435-797-0130 FAX

Online faculty training at:
www.http://usu.disabilitytraining.info
(key aggie)

-----Original Message-----
From: utah_ahead-bounces at ahead-lists.org [mailto:utah_ahead-bounces at ahead-lists.org] On Behalf Of JoePete Wilson
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:41 PM
To: Utah_ahead at ahead-lists.org
Subject: [Utah_ahead] FW: Re: Grants

Below is information Brian Nelson asked me to pass along to the group:

>>> Stephen Hewlett 9/20/2007 11:20:04 AM >>>
Brian, here is the information on the grants.

>>> Julie Orchard 9/20/2007 11:13 AM >>>
There is not a specific amount of money that is available.  In the 2005 Legislative General Session, Brent Goodfellow passed a bill H.B. 145, "Amendments to Hearing and Speech Impaired Telecommunications Program".  The bill requires the PSC to do an RFP to determine which universities or colleges should be given money to train interpreters.  There is a severe shortage of interpreters in Utah, especially to perform community service for schools, doctor's appointments, and other needs that deaf individuals have that requires an interpreter.  The reason for the shortage is that the Video Relay industry hires and pays very well as many qualified interpreters as they can find.  This is happening in most states because they pay high wages and benefits for part time work.  The Commission did an RFP and three schools submitted proposals.  Salt Lake Community College, Utah Valley State College, and the Sanderson Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  All three entities were awarded money.....differing amounts, but they all got money.  They have been submitting quarterly reports as required in the RFP that gives details about how they are spending the money, how many interpreters they are qualifying, how many students are enrolled, and etc.  The two-year period of the funding ends in January 2008.  On Friday, they will be coming to meet with the PSC Evaluation Committee assigned to evaluate their success and determine whether or not they have met their proposed goals in developing their program to train and certify more interpreters.  Then, the two year program that has been funded from the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Fund surplus will determine if there are other schools that could and would benefit from this program and perhaps if the three entities have not accomplished their and our goals for the success of their program, other schools will be considered.  As I told Duane, I was very surprised that Utah State didn't submit a proposal to our RFP two years ago because I know they have a program that trains interpreters.  Purchasing sent them the RFP, but they never responded.
I suggest they submit a proposal to us now and tell us why they need funding, what their program presently consists of, and what kind of funding they need to accomplish the goals to graduate and certify more interpreters.  I would love to hear from them.  I can't tell them what to put in their proposal, because at this stage the process is rather informal, and we will probably not be doing an additional RFP since we have done that as required in H.B. 145.
I have already received one additional proposal and it will be considered going forward.  Thanks.  JPO

>>> Stephen Hewlett 9/20/2007 7:59 AM >>>
Hi Julie:

In talking with Duane last night, he mentioned that the Deaf Relay had grants available for Higher Education which could be used for interpreters.  He also mentioned that you may be considering grant proposals tomorrow, September 21st.  I think he mentioned to you that there are several colleges and universities that could really use this money because they have been sued for not having enough interpreters.  If you could get me the information regarding what needs to be done to be considered for grant, how much is available, etc., I will pass this on to the disability group for higher education.  The group is called AHEAD.

Thanks, Julie.

Steve

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