State Early Childhood Technical Assistance Systems

Nebraska

• Part C TA System Description
• 12/1/06

Basic design features

The Nebraska TA system is centralized and is incorporated within the dual lead agencies for Part C -- the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. There are additional programs, directly supported by the lead agencies that provide TA related to early intervention. The other organizations include the Early Childhood Training Center, Services Coordination program, and the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD).

Primary clients/recipients of technical assistance

Primary clients of the state technical assistance system include early intervention providers and administrators, local ICCs, families, medical personnel, and child services coordinator contractors. A secondary client would be the ARC or childcare. Clients are divided by type of client among those providing TA. Families are considered to be direct clients of TA services and TA is provided by family partners through the Parent Center in collaboration with the Early Childhood Training Center.

Ways technical assistance is provided

Technical assistance is most frequently provided through the following methods: regional/topical workshops, consultation to programs, provision of information and consultation via telephone and e-mail, mini grants, facilitation of peer to peer information exchange and consultation and development of print materials. It is occasionally provided through statewide conferences, in-services training courses, identification and use of model demonstration sites, a mentor program, and non-print materials. The state TA system frequently uses "distance learning" techniques including: interactive video (Tele-Medicine), internet, electronic mail, bulletin boards, listserv, web-based discussion forums, chatrooms and webcasting, instructional video cassettes lending library and self study modules and correspondence courses through the Early Childhood Training Center.

TA system operations

State TA needs are assessed through the quality improvement process, individual training requests, correspondences and needs surveys. The needs are then prioritized according to the greatest needs indicated by the multiple client groups and addressed by the lead agencies. A master calendar of training and technical assistance events on specific topics is maintained by the lead agencies.

Federal funding sources for the technical assistance system included Part C funds, Title V and Head Start funds. State sources of funding included funding from the lead agencies that flow through the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. Additional funds are provided through Deaf/Blind Services.

Evaluation of the TA system

The numbers and types of TA services based upon event registration and evaluation forms are compiled and maintained through the Early Childhood Training Center or HHS. Discrete TA activities and events are informally evaluated based upon informal verbal feedback. Intermediate and long range impacts of TA services are evaluated based upon the needs that are assessed and priorities set. The Early Childhood Training Center and the co-leads for Part C services then develop training plans and evaluate facilitators.

Relationship of TA system to the monitoring/supervision of local programs

The outcomes of local monitoring determine most of the needs and priorities to be addressed by the state TA system. This is done through identification and requests for training needs.

Relationship of TA system to the state’s Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD)

The CSPD is a large part of Nebraska’s TA system since a major portion of the training is provided by the Early Childhood Training Center. The TA services are related to university course credits, CEUs, and certifications.

Relationship with Section 619 of Part B

Since Nebraska is a birth mandate state, the TA system plans and activities are tightly linked to the state’s program for preschool children with disabilities. The 619 coordinator is involved in all training and planning.

For further information, contact:

• Joan Luebbers, Part C Consultant
• Special Education Office
• Nebraska Department of Education
• 301 Centennial Mall South
• PO Box 94987
• Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
• Phone: (402) 471-2463
• Fax: (402) 471-0117
• E-mail: joan.luebbers@nde.ne.gov
• Web site: http://www.nde.state.ne.us/ECH/ECH.html