State Early Childhood Technical Assistance Systems

Montana

• Section 619 State TA System Description
• 12/13/00

Basic design features

Systematic TA in Montana is delivered through the state CSPD with the exception of specific projects (example: deaf-blind). In Montana there are state and local partnerships, with local education agencies contributing funds for technical assistance. The purposes of Montana’s technical assistance system are: to meet the specific needs of individuals, agencies, and groups and to provide information and resources on specific topics and issues. Montana relies heavily on the CSPD structure to deliver TA. There is a statewide CSPD Council and five regional CSPD Councils. The University System receives specific contracts through CSPD for specific projects. Local early intervention agencies participate in local councils and the state Part C agency participates in the state council.

Generally TA planning and implementation is regionally based. Some options are available statewide. The state and regional TA services are associated with university credits, continuing education units, and certification/licensing.

Primary clients/recipients of TA services

Clients of the Montana TA system include: local school teachers and other service providers employed by the schools, local administrators, Head Start programs, local programs that provide preschool special education, and other individuals, agencies, and groups. Parents and families often participate, as do other community agencies.

Ways TA are provided

Technical assistance is frequently provided through: regional/topical workshops, in-service training courses, consultations to programs including consultation by e-mail and telephone, mini grants to support innovative practices, and facilitation of peer to peer information exchange and consultation. Occasionally there are statewide conferences and identification and use of model demonstration sites. Use of the Department Web Site for TA is growing. Interactive video and audio teleconferencing are used frequently, as is the Internet –electronic mail, bulletin boards, and listservs. There is a lending library. Occasionally, the Montana Department makes use of Web based services: discussion forums, chat rooms, and webcasting. They have not yet used CD-ROM, audio and video cassettes, or correspondence courses. The Montana system uses the Office of Public Instruction/Special Education Web Site.

TA system operations

Susan Bailey Anderson, CSPD Coordinator, has direct responsibility for oversight of all TA activities. Regions in the state report their training activities to the CSPD Coordinator who develops a training calendar. The TA system in Montana is funded from federal and state sources. The federal sources are: Part B of the IDEA, the Montana State

Implementation Grant (SIG), and CSPD. State sources include state education agency funds and local contributions, often "in-kind".

Evaluation of the TA system

Evaluation of the TA system is part of the state’s overall quality improvement plan for Part B. Discreet activities and events are evaluated if they are part of a specific project.

Relationship of the TA system to the monitoring and supervision of LEAs

The outcomes of local monitoring are shared with the state TA system but do not determine the needs and priorities addressed by the TA system. Monitoring is restricted to a state function, although monitoring personnel may direct specific TA efforts. Generally, monitoring is divorced from CSPD, the main TA engine.

Relationship of the TA system to the state’s CSPD

The Montana TA system is seen as one part of the CSPD.

Relationship of the TA system with the Part C program

Part C operates independently but cooperatively. The LEAs plan their own TA needs and activities.

For further information, contact

• Susan Bailey Anderson
• CSPD Coordinator
• Montana Office of Public Instruction
• PO Box 202501
• Helena, MT 59620-2501
• Phone: 406/444-2046
• Fax: 496/4443924
• E-mail: sbanderson@state.mt.us