Mentor Program

The Mentor Program developed by CVRP provides education, training, support, and technical assistance to maintain and recruit quality professionals in the field. West Virginia is a geographically challenged state which causes vision professionals to frequently be isolated, with limited professional development and peer networking opportunities. The Mentor Program includes, but is not limited to, educational seminars, literature-based resources, technical assistance, conferences, technology and education and assistance. The program also provides support to parents and professionals who are not trained in visual impairment. The Mentor Program improves direct services to students, retains teachers in the field that in the past have felt isolated and insignificant, and attracts teachers to the field because of the innovative approach to providing training and support.

This program is a collaborative program that encompasses all components in the vision world, including but not limited to technology training (high-tech to low-tech), low vision, braille and CVI support across West Virginia. This program also provides conference training for teachers, paraprofessionals and families in blindness. It must be noted that meeting the needs of blindness has a wide span and includes many skill sets. The practitioners are expected to serve ages 2-21, cognitive functions from severe to gifted, braille instruction, technology for low vision and braille.