Calling All SMS Educators/Support Service Providers!

Applications Now Open for the The Michael Daly PRISMS Conference Educator Grant 

Applications are due March 30, 2026

PRISMS is offering up to 12 grants to bring special education teachers, special education coordinators and/or support staff to attend the PRISMS 2026 International Conference for training and support.

The Michael Daly PRISMS Conference Educator Grant was established to support educators/support service providers in developing skills to help students with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) achieve their fullest potential.

Through this grant, we honor Michael Daly, the beloved son of Michael and Mary Daly, and empower recipients to advance their knowledge through a professional development opportunity. This grant provides financial assistance to attend the PRISMS conference.

The Michael Daly PRISMS Conference Educator Grant reflects PRISMS’s ongoing commitment to promoting education and awareness for all those affected by SMS.

The application process will be open to special education teachers, BCBA, resource specialists, residential or day program support staff, and job coaches who also work, or anticipate working, with a student with SMS. The grants will help support staff to attend the conference and receive training from SMS experts in the field of education, behavioral support, vocational training, job coaching, and genetics. This grant program is offered in conjunction with the Teacher Training Workshop that will be presented on Thursday, July 30, 2026 by PRISMS Professional Advisory Board member Barbara Haas-Givler, MEd, BCBA, Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, and a panel of education professionals.

Funding criteria:

  • Funding is available up to $1500 per approved applicant.
  • Note – if you are a 12-month employee, PRISMS cannot provide reimbursement for your salary while you are at the conference.
  • Applicants must be able to attend the entire three-day conference.
  • Grantees will be asked to submit a short response about what they learned at the conference and how they implemented new strategies or interventions.

Conference timeline (subject to change):

Thursday, July 30, 2026:

12:15pm-1:15pm Smith-Magenis Syndrome: Putting the Genetic Diagnosis in Context
1:30pm-2:45pm Teacher and Support Staff Training – Part 1
3:00pm-4:30pm Teacher and Support Staff Training Session – Part 2

Friday, July 31, 2026:

8:00am-5:00pm All-day sessions; breakouts and general sessions

Saturday, August 1, 2026:

8:00am-5:00pm All day sessions; breakouts and general sessions

The conference program may include sessions on:

  • Research/Medication Updates
  • Sleep & SMS
  • Behavior
  • Adolescent challenges
  • Adult Transition Supports
  • Sibling Workshops
  • Genetics 101
  • Overview of SMS for newly diagnosed families
  • Family Networking and support
  • Speech & Language interventions
  • SMS and School Advocacy
  • Special Needs Trusts & Financial Planning

Conference Costs:  Hotel Room Rate: $165 per night, Registration Cost $375

Applications are due no later than March 30, 2026.

Applicants will be notified about the status of their application on or before April 15, 2026.

For more questions, please contact us at info@prisms.org

The Michael Daly PRISMS Conference Educator Grant Application