Project speech at howard university - specialized preparation in explicit education for communication and high-intensity needs)

Howard University received a $275,781 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 grant supports the PROJECT SPEECH initiative, which provides specialized preparation and training in explicit education for communication and high-intensity needs. This personnel preparation program aligns with the federal program's core objective of developing highly qualified special education and related services personnel, specifically targeting professionals who work with children with disabilities in speech-language pathology and communication disorders.

The award enables Howard University to deliver research-based training and professional development to prepare educators and service providers with the specialized skills and knowledge required to serve students with communication and intensive support needs in school and clinical settings. As a historically Black research university and experienced federal grant recipient, Howard University is positioned to advance the preparation pipeline for special educators in this critical service area while contributing to the Department of Education's efforts to address state-identified workforce gaps in special education personnel.