Welcome to Project BEAMS!

Behavioral, Emotional And Mental Health Supports in Schools: Collaborative Practices to Improve Special Educator & School Psychologist Training

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What is Project BEAMS?

Project BEAMS will improve preservice preparation of school psychologists (SP) and special educators (SE) to serve diverse students with behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges in California's public schools.

Project BEAMS involves SPs & SEs in interdisciplinary training and shared collaboration via: 

1. Research-based courses in Autism, Ethics, & Applied Behavioral Analysis;
2. Seminars, where trainees discuss readings, give cross-disciplinary presentations, and practice collaboration;
3. Clinical practicum experience, with paired SPs & SEs working together in classrooms to provide intensive interventions;
4. Summer institutes, where SEs & SPs will learn about leading research (Day 1) and build capacity around mental health services (Day 2);
5. Co-attendance at professional conferences. 

Competencies include interdisciplinary knowledge & collaboration; enhanced communication & consultation; evidence-based interventions with cultural contexts for understanding behavior and mental health; and action research & data-based decision making.

This 5-year training project will support 14 cross-cohort SP & SE trainees annually (7 SP & 7 SE) for two, 2-year training cycles as they pursue their multi-year graduate-credential programs. Monthly stipends, BCBA supervision allowances, and conference monies are provided to support this specialty training ($11,500-$12,500 per year).

Scholar Testimonials

Project BEAMS Application

Contact

Dr. Katina Lambros at [email protected] for grant application and information.