THE
PARTNERSHIP OF THE BROTHERS OF CHARITY WITH THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
Representatives of the Brothers of Charity approached officials of the Catholic University of America in February 1999 to
begin a dialogue about a partnership in one of the identified areas of the International Institute. School of Nursing representatives were invited to a meeting in the summer of 1999. A faculty visit to Belgium occurred in the fall of 1999 and a number of activities brought an agreement between
the Brothers of Charity and the University to work on a pre-baccalaureate certificate program in psychiatric care. A memorandum
of cooperation between the Brothers of Charity and the Catholic University of America
was signed on November 30, 1999. Since that time a two-level program leading to the certificate has been refined and
offered. The Brothers of Charity also pursued further levels of programs with the University leading to 1) selected academic
credit courses being offered at the International Institute in Belgium for program participants and 2) selected participants coming to the University campus
for a baccalaureate degree in an identified areas of study.
The partnership with the Department
of Education
In the fall
of 2000 the Department of Education of the Catholic University
of America was invited to develop a curriculum to complement
the program implemented in psychiatric care. A faculty visit occurred in March 2001 to plan and refine the special education
curriculum in conjunction with the Institute staff. The agreement with the Brothers of Charity and the University was extended
in March 2001 to work on a pre-baccalaureate certificate program in special education. The special education program formally
began in the fall of 2001 following many of the procedures and guidelines developed initially by the Department of Nursing.
Dr. Filip Loncke,
Head of Department and International Coordinator, was instrumental in the programs development under the direction of Brother
General, Bro. Rene Stockman, FC
After the successful implementation of the pre-baccalaureate program in special education, the Brothers of Charity and the
Catholic University entered an additional agreement to provide a year-long Special Education Studies program. The new program
offered six three-credit courses with extensive course-related practicum in Belgium, and a three-credit internship in the
United Kingdom, culminating in a certificate representing the successful completion of total 21 credits of undergraduate work
in Special Education Studies.
The Seven
Credit Courses offered are:
- Introduction to Foundation of Special
Education and Characteristics of Learners.
- Introduction to Assessment and Evaluation
in Special Education
- Introduction to Behaviour Management
- Introduction to Intervention/Instruction
in Special Education
- Introduction to Communication with
Community and Collaborative Partners in International Settings.
- Introduction to Leadership in Special
Education: Planning and Managing the Teaching Learning Environment.
- Internship in Special Education Setting.
The internship phase of the program will take place at Lisieux
Hall in Chorley, England, under the direction of Bro Denis, superior of the Brothers of Lisieux Hall, and Mr. Brian Kelly,
co-ordinator of the Internship program.
As
part of the inauguration of the program, Dr. Shavaun Wall, Chair of the Education Department at CUA, met with Bro Denis, Mr.
Brian Kelly, Bro Jos Mathijssen, Co-ordinator of the Special Education program and university Supervisor of the Internship
program, and DR Nancy Smith, CUA Program Co-ordinator, at the Castle in Moerzeke, where the advanced classes in special education,
psychiatric nursing and spirituality program take place.
The group observed SES classes underway during the fall semester. They
also drew up specific plans for the internship phase of the program, and met together to develop the following SES mission
statement:
Mission
Statement Draft
Program in special
Education Studies
Consistent with the mission and history of the Brothers of Charity,
the program in Special Education Studies prepares religious to advance serves for people with disabilities in developing nations.
The program emphasizes understanding the unique needs and strengths of individuals with disabilities. Through reflection,
problem solving, and collaboration, the Brothers will promote relationships that lead to the inclusion of people with disabilities
in their communities and enhances the quality of their lives. In the fall of 2005 the one-year program which awards as an
Associate's Degree in Science. Designed to serve both the nursing and special education Brothers, the program began as a pilot
effort in January 2006 with six special students. These students will co,plete 60 credit hours over two years including a
praticum and intenship in the Brothers' services in Chorley England following the successful design of the previous program.
Special Education students academic year 2006-2008
Bro. J. Ernest Mandefo, Congolese brother
Bro. Ghislain Nsengiyumva, Congolese brother
Bro. Sebastian Pillai, Sri Lankan brother
Bro. Benjamin Aska, Papua New Guinean brother
Bro. Rene Gibaga, Filipino brother
Bro. Ranjit Kulu, Indian brother
