Three grants totalling more than $9 million awarded to University of Memphis for childhood programs

The University of Memphis has been awarded three grants, totalling $9.2 million, from the TN Department of Disability and Aging, the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. These grants will help support programs offered by the University of Memphis that are focused on delivering quality care to children with delays or disabilities.

According to an article on the University of Memphis’ website, Dr. Laura Casey, who is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Nationally Certified School Psychologist in the school’s College of Education, is the person who pursued all three of the grants. She serves as the principal investigator for each grant. Dr. Casey is quoted as saying of how the childhood programs will benefit from the grant funding, “It is an honor to be able to continue these service grants at UofM. The work is very impactful to the community, as we provide evidence-based early intervention to children and families with special needs. Because of these grants, families in Memphis and Shelby County can receive essential services during the critical early years that otherwise may be unavailable or cost prohibitive.”

The University of Memphis programs that are receiving support via these three grants are Project Memphis and the Regional Intervention Program. Project Memphis is an umbrella under which there are several related programs, each providing care to children and families who are disabled or developmentally delayed in some manner. The two specific Project Memphis programs that are being funded via these new grants are Project Memphis Ready, a program that serves children with autism or those who have speech delays by helping them become ready for preschool, and Project Memphis’ Home and Community wing, provides developmental therapy to Shelby County families in their homes or daycare facilities.

Project Memphis is receiving a total of $8,827,000 between two grants. Project Memphis Ready is receiving $2,535,000 through 2029 and the Project Memphis Home and Community wing is receiving $6,292,000 to provide its services through 2029. Project Memphis as a whole currently serves around 200 families in Memphis and Shelby counties, but with this new funding, will begin to serve 350-450 families each year.

Charmaine Sego, Project Memphis’ program coordinator, was quoted as saying, “We are thrilled to have an increase in the number of families we will now be serving in the Memphis and Shelby County area. We strive to provide the highest quality intervention services and engage many UofM students who are preparing to work with young children and their families. Early intervention produces lasting developmental changes that impact children and their families long after they leave our care. It is exciting to be part of the change! It is exciting to see families grow and thrive.” 

The third and final grant totals $464,980 and is being awarded to the Regional Intervention Program, extending its services through 2027. The program provides services at the university’s Park Avenue campus to help parents of children with behavioral issues learn how to better help their children cope. 

Jennifer Davis, who serves as the project coordinator for the Regional Intervention Program, said, “For many parents, their child's challenging behavior can be a source of stress and isolation. Family relationships can be strained, therapy is costly and isolation can occur as parents limit social encounters to avoid triggering tantrums in public. Renewed funding allows us to continue empowering parents with strategies they can implement right away, providing a community for parents with shared experiences and helping children get the early intervention they need for future success. Partnering with the University of Memphis gives the community trust in our programs and shows UofM’s dedication to supporting the needs of our community.” 

For more information about the University of Memphis, visit the school’s website.