PLEASE NOTE: We will be offering the PHYT 6301 course (Therapy Intervention in the NICU) and PHYT 6320 (Therapy Intervention Early Intervention Settings) for our online IMPRINTS pediatric certificate as well as 'non-degree seeking graduate students' in Spring 2010. Interested students should complete and submit an online application.   IMPRINTS (Improved Training of Physical Therapists in Early Intervention Settings) is a training program that was supported in part by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education from 2002 to 2008.  It is designed to increase the number and quality of physical therapists providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities, or at high risk for disabilities, and their families.  IMPRINTS provides academic training to better prepare physical therapists for employment in early intervention environments.  It also aims to increase the number of physical therapists who are culturally and linguistically diverse and/or have disabilities to serve young children with special needs.  IMPRINTS (Improved Training for Physical Therapists in Early Intervention Settings) Under federal law, States are required to provide multidisciplinary early intervention (EI) services to infants with disabilities (birth to three) and their families (Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004- Public Law 108-446).  As these EI services increasingly include Physical Therapy, there is an increasing demand for PT’s trained to work with infants 0-3 and their families. On-line Certificate Program   The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch–Galveston  (UTMB) and the University of Texas TeleCampus (UTTC) collaborate to provide an on-line certificate program for physical therapists working in,  or wanting to work in, early intervention settings, include NICU’s and 0-3 early intervention programs. Four 3-credit courses contribute to the Certificate:   •PHYT 6301 Therapy Intervention in the NICU •PHYT 6320 Therapy Intervention in Early Intervention Settings PHYT 6093 Independent Investigative Studies in Early Intervention Settings •PHYT 6360 Family Centered Early Intervention Students may take the PHYT 6093 course at any time in the program cycle if they are working in EI or NICU.  Otherwise students must take PHYT 6320 and PHYT 6301 prior to PHYT 6093. Typically, each course is offered once a year. Cost per 3 credit course:  Approximately $1100 for in-state students; approximately $1950 for out-of-state students. Awarding of this certificate has been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.  Each course is taken for graduate credit. The official transcript and course syllabus may be submitted by the student to their professional licensing agency for CE (continuing education) consideration. Please see your state licensing agency's website for details. Methods of instruction include: Independent study and review of relevant literature and web sites Discussion board postings and interactions Videos of early intervention service provisions Observations of children, families, and therapists providing intervention services Advantages Diverse training program faculty include physical and occupational therapists experienced in providing services to infants and young children Active involvement from families of infants and children that have received early intervention services Strong, supportive network from area therapists, early intervention program directors, and state early intervention leaders Solid educational program with reputation for producing outstanding clinicians and professional leaders A job placement network to assist IMPRINTS course participants seeking employment in pediatric settings A listing of pediatric continuing education courses that provides current professional development opportunities For more information, contact: Christine P. Baker, PT, EdD 409-772-3068  (Central Standard Time) cbaker@utmb.edu UTTC:  http://www.telecampus.utsystem.edu