Project TEDD: Training Educators in Dual Diagnosis

Project TEDD is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. Project TEDD is a new train-the-trainer program designed to increase knowledge and skills of those working with children with dual diagnosis.

Project TEDD will provide 400 Texas special educators with access to train-the-trainer workshops so that they may in turn train other educators with necessary skills for recognizing, understanding, and working with individuals with dual diagnosis. The first year of training will begin in December 2020 at the Region 17 Education Service Center (ESC) in Lubbock. Over the remaining four years, the focus of the project will expand the train-the-trainer workshops to the remaining 19 ESCs in Texas. Additionally, the trained 400 teachers will be expected to train at least 5 others totaling 2,000 or potentially more across Texas. The trainers can become a resource within their respective school districts and/or ESCs for several years and continue training numerous other educators and related professionals.

The project will enhance the competencies of educators in K-12 settings who work with students with dual diagnosis. The educators will receive knowledge in the areas of identification, referral, assessment, behavior, and academic best practices. These educators will receive advanced training in collaboration and communication, crisis intervention, and working with families. This new knowledge will enable educators to make meaningful changes in their school districts and support collaboration with agencies outside school settings serving individuals with dual diagnosis. Project TEDD will create new leaders in dual diagnosis in K-12 settings through its use of the train-the-trainer model. This model facilitates systemic change by developing individuals who can continue to train educators and related professionals serving students with dual diagnosis for numerous years in Texas.

Training is limited to 20 participants per ESC, and nominations will be accepted from Special Education Directors. Each school district will be able to nominate one special education teacher to attend the workshop held at their regional ESC. All workshop attendees will be expected to train at least 5 teachers, parents, or related professionals from their school district. If you need more information about this project, contact Michael Chappo (Email: mchappo@ttu.edu, Phone: 806-834-8302) or Dr. Rosita Moore (Email: rosita.moore@ttu.edu, Phone: 806-834-6185).

This work is supported by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Washington, D.C. 20201, with a 100% federal funding award totaling $6,121,860. Council efforts are those of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of nor are endorsed by ACL, HHS, or the U.S. government.