Project elevate: empowering leaders through evidence, vision, and autism training for excellence

Western Carolina University's Graduate School and Research Division received a $250,000 Project Grant from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) under the Special Education - Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program (CFDA 84.325), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The project, titled "Project ELEVATE: Empowering Leaders Through Evidence, Vision, and Autism Training for Excellence," supports personnel preparation and professional development activities designed to train special education leaders and educators to work with children with disabilities, specifically in autism-related service provision.

The award funding supports research-based training and professional development initiatives that prepare special education personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve children with disabilities. As part of OSERS's broader commitment to addressing state-identified workforce needs in special education and related services, this project contributes to developing fully qualified leadership personnel capable of implementing evidence-based practices and ensuring improved service delivery for children with autism and related disabilities in educational settings.