Grants

The FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa is offering many grant opportunities to Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

The FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa has several grant opportunities below.  For questions, please contact info@firefoundationneiowa.org.
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OPPORTUNITY:
Attend the Inclusion in Action Conference, February 13 – 14, 2025 in person or virtually

  • Learn more about the Inclusion in Action Conference
  • The FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa is offering grants to attend the conference in-person or virtually for educators.
    • In Person Grant will cover conference registration, registration to attend the bonFIRE event, (2) nights in a hotel, and a gas travel stipend.
      Virtual Grant will cover the conference registration.
    • Applications are due by November 18, 2024
    • Submit (1) application per person.
    • Grant winners will be announced on December 20, 2024.

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OPPORTUNITY:
Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) – Online Learning Modules from the University of Notre Dame
The FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa is offering grants to Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Dubuque to cover costs of the University of Notre Dame Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) Online Learning Modules.  Each online module is $100.  Each module includes one hour of content, integrates research, videos, and evidence-based practices to support students with disabilities and struggling learners.  Click here to learn more about PIE’s Online Learning Modules.

The module topics are:

  • Inclusion Works: Benefits for All – Explore inclusion in Catholic schools and the academic, behavioral, and social benefits for every student.
  • Defining Variability: The Edges of Catholic Classrooms – Overview of student academic, behavioral, executive functioning, and social-emotional variability and the potential barriers to learning.
  • UDL: It’s Principled – Examine Universal Design for Learning’s defining principles while considering student learning needs.
  • Understanding the ABCs of Behavior – Explore antecedents (A), behaviors (B), and consequences (C) in the behavioral chain and how the ABCs impact student behavior.
  • Planning for the Edges with UDL – Consider Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to successfully plan lessons that meet the needs of all learners.
  • Accommodations, Modifications, Interventions…Oh My! – Review similarities and differences among accommodations, modifications, and interventions and how these concepts impact student learning.
  • All Are Welcome: Our Call to Serve – Overview Catholic schools’ call to serve all learners, specifically related to students with different abilities.
  • Practices to Support All Learners: High Leverage vs. Evidence-Based – Examine high-leverage and evidence-based practices and how integrating these practices into classrooms promotes student success.
  • Sites for Inclusion: Practices that Work – Explore resources and websites of research-based practices for successful classroom implementation.
  • MTSS: Support for All – Consider a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) from a whole-child perspective as a means to ensure student success.
  • Individualized Plans: Meeting Student Needs – Examine the components of the Individualized Catholic Education Plans (ICEP) and how these plans can meet students’ unique needs.
  • From Inclusion to Belonging – Explore the critical concept of belonging as it relates to inclusive education for all students.

PIE Online Module Grant Details 

  • Applications are due by November 18, 2024.
  • Applicants may select more than (1) module per application.
  • Grant winners will be announced on December 20, 2024
    • There are a limited number of grants available.
  • If awarded a grant, access to the online modules will begin in the Spring 2025 semester.
  • Click here to apply for a grant to cover the costs of the PIE Online Module(s)

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OPPORTUNITY:
Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) 18-credit program from the University of Notre Dame 
The FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa will be offering ONE PIE 9 grant to ONE lucky educator from a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Dubuque.  The Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) is an 18-credit hour program for educators employed in Catholic schools/(arch)dioceses offered by the University of Notre Dame. The program offers a licensure track for eligible teachers who wish to pursue additional licensure in mild intervention upon program completion. For applicants without a teaching license or who are already licensed in special education, PIE offers the opportunity to further develop their expertise in meeting the needs of diverse learners through a unique Catholic school lens.  CLICK HERE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THE 18-CREDIT HOUR PROGRAM FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION (PIE).

Course Descriptions 
Completion of the 18-credit program leads to additional licensure/certification in Exceptional Learners: Mild Disabilities.  *Curriculum/course names are subject to revision.
EDU 70200: Foundations of Inclusive Education (3 credits)
An introduction to inclusive education is provided with a focus on understanding learner attributes, including academic, behavioral, social/emotional, and health issues. Historical, philosophical, and ethical perspectives serve as a foundation for understanding learner strengths and challenges. Evidence-based frameworks and inclusive practices that seek to address complex learning needs are emphasized. (Summer I-Online)

EDU 70205: Assessment and Data-Based Decisions (2 credits)
Through the lens of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), formal and informal academic assessments of learning issues are provided. Selecting and implementing appropriate diagnostic measures with data analysis is applied to make informed, data-based instructional decisions. Collaborative team processes and eligibility decisions are overviewed. (Summer I-Online)

EDU 70208: Planning, Methods, and Service Delivery (4 credits)
Critical elements of planning and instruction within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) are addressed. Evidence-based practices, assessment, and data-based decision making are examined to address the learning needs of students who struggle. Attention is given to accommodations and curricular modifications, as well as frameworks and strategies that impact learning. Clinical experiences are required. (Fall-Online)

EDU 70207: Literacy and Language Methods (4 credits)
A focus on literacy and language methods from the Science of Reading lens serves as the foundation for inclusive instruction and assessment. An emphasis on diagnostic decision making, planning, and delivery of empirically-validated, multisensory literacy instruction that maximizes the learning of all students is examined. Special attention is given to essential elements of critical literacy pedagogy and evidence-based practices to meet the diverse needs of struggling learners and students with learning disabilities. Clinical experiences are required. (Spring-Online)

EDU 70203: Behavior, Environment, and Self-Regulation (2 credits)
An examination of the complex interaction between environmental variables and learner regulation skills and behavior is provided. The use of proactive strategies and frameworks is applied to reinforce learner behaviors that lead to success. Responsive practices to support executive functioning, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being are applied. Specific emphasis is given to assessment, data analysis, and application of evidence-based practices to support the diverse needs of the whole learner. (Summer II-Online)

EDU 70204: Policy and Practice in Special Education (3 credits)
Effective practice and implications of special education policy for learners with diverse needs are provided. Specialized methods of service delivery are addressed for students with diagnosed disabilities. Attention is given to advocacy, collaboration, accommodations and curricular modifications, and transition planning. Evidence-based practices are advanced to enable successful individualized educational planning. (Summer II-On Campus)

Grant Timeline for the Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) 18-credit program from the University of Notre Dame 

  • Applications are due by January 20, 2025
  • Interviews will be conducted the week of January 27 & February 7, 2025
  • Applicant will be notified by February 26, 2025
  • If awarded coursework starts May 19, 2025
  • Click here to apply

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OPPORTUNITY:
Grant Opportunities for School Year Grant – FIREball Inclusion Leader – FIREd Up About Inclusion School 

Timeline for School Year Grant – FIREball Inclusion Leader – FIREd Up About Inclusion School 

  • January 27, 2025: Grant Applications Open Online
  • March 7, 2025: Grant Applications Due
  • Week of March 10 & 17, 2025: Grant committee & applicant interviews conducted
  • April 28, 2025: Grant Award Winners Announced

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OPPORTUNITY:
No Cost Professional Development for ALL Catholic schools with in the Archdiocese of Dubuque
The FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa and Learning Research Network are partnering to provide 14 FREE online, on-demand professional development sessions designed to support educators as they seek to understand and meet the needs of All Learners.  Content is perfect for parents, too!
The sessions are packed with rich, relevant and relatable content presented by two leading inclusive learning experts. LRN founders, Sean J. Smith, Ph.D. and Michael Faggella-Luby, Ph.D., believe deeply in Catholic education and are passionate about supporting schools and families.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL 14 SESSIONS.  The 14-sessions offered are outlined is below.

  • TOPIC: Understanding Our Students
    • Specific Learning Disabilities
    • Intellectual Disability (e.g., Down Syndrome)
    • Struggling Neurotypical Learners
  • TOPIC AREA: Planning and Designing for ALL Learners 
    • Planning for the Variability of ALL Our Learners (Part I)
    • Planning for the Variability of ALL Our Learners (Part II)
    • Addressing Barriers through Effective Planning
    • Universal Design for Learning (Part I)
    • Universal Design for Learning (Part II)
    • Universal Design for Learning (Part III)
    • SMARTER Planning (Part I)
    • SMARTER Planning (Part II)
  • TOPIC AREA: Priority Practice Points
    • Student Engagement
    • Formative Assessment
    • Reading Development