Project IMPACT

about the program

Insuring Mississippi parents' and children's tomorrows is the main idea behind Project IMPACT, an early intervention project started in the Fall of 1999 with funding provided through the Mississippi Department of Health. The original multidisciplinary team was comprised of a special educator, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist and a physical therapist who provided play-based evaluations and intervention services in the natural environment to maximize the developmental potential of children between the ages of birth and three.

As Project IMPACT evolved, team members realized there was a need for more intensive services. Many of these children came from rural areas in the state with limited resources. In the fall of 2000, Project IMPACT team members expanded services by the addition of center-based programming. After receiving additional funding through the Mississippi State Department of Education, two teacher units were added. Project IMPACT offers a continuum of services consisting of center-based, community-based, and home-based evaluation and intervention services. Center-based services are available five days per week and consist of three classrooms for direct instruction with speech and occupational therapy offered as related services.

Project IMPACT, housed at the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability at Mississippi State University, is presently a blended program serving the early intervention needs of children in Mississippi by using a family friendly approach involving both parents and caregivers as essential participants in the evaluation, intervention, and follow-through. Children between the ages of birth and three who live in any of the ten counties encompassed by Health District IV may qualify for the program. In addition, any child between the ages of birth and five meeting the eligibility requirements for special education services through the Mississippi State Department of Education may receive services through this program.

Project IMPACT is committed to providing quality services to meet each student's individual needs. The program is based on a team approach consisting of administrators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and special education teachers. All employees participate in yearly professional development programs, which contribute to their professional growth and enhance their knowledge of child development, evaluation, and intervention.